guide for member invitational exhibits
simple ways to help your exhibit arrangements run smoothly
Contact us if you have questions after reviewing the guide.
Showcase your work in a professionally curated group exhibition.
member invitational
SCAA presents 2–3 Member Invitational Exhibitions each year, featuring the work of 6–10 selected Artist Members across a variety of 2D and 3D media.
Artist Members are current SCAA members whose work has previously been accepted into a juried exhibition at SCAA. Artists are selected based on exhibition participation, consistency, and quality of work.
Opportunities to participate generally occur no more than once every three years.
Questions or Interest in Participating?
Contact Jason Fong, Exhibitions Director
(401) 783-2195
participation requirements
Each participating artist is asked to contribute:
$75 exhibition fee to help cover show expenses
A food item or wine for the opening reception
Artists are welcome to provide:
Business cards
Website information
Promotional postcards
Sales Information
Price work thoughtfully and consistently.
No more than 25% of exhibited work may be marked Not For Sale
SCAA retains a 30% commission on sales
Liability
While every possible care is taken, SCAA cannot be responsible for loss or damage to artwork. Artists are encouraged to carry their own insurance.
Submission Checklist
✔ Exhibition-ready artwork
✔ Wired / framed / stable presentation
✔ Pricing list
✔ High-resolution artwork image
✔ Headshot
✔ Short bio
✔ Artist statement
✔ $75 fee
✔ Reception contribution
artwork guidelines
Artists are encouraged to exhibit new work not previously shown at SCAA, though previously exhibited pieces may be included when they contribute to a thoughtful and cohesive series or body of work.
Artists may exhibit approximately 8 pieces of work
Smaller works may allow for more pieces
Larger works may require fewer
There are no size restrictions
All 2D work must be wired and ready for hanging
Framing should be:
Clean and professional
Securely assembled
Visually cohesive which presents as a harmonious body of work
Artists are encouraged to exhibit work that has not previously been shown at SCAA but this is not a strict requirement.
Previously exhibited work may still be included when:
It completes a series
It supports a cohesive body of work
It contributes to the overall presentation of your exhibition
Presenting Your Work Professionally
1. Curate a Cohesive Body of Work
Each artist typically exhibits approximately eight pieces. This number may vary depending on size and scale.
Best Approach:
Choose work that feels connected through:
Theme
Color palette
Subject matter
Materials
Series or concept
Visitors respond strongly when work feels intentional and unified.
Tip:
Think of your wall or display area as a small solo exhibition within the larger group show.
2. Show Your Best Work
Whenever possible, exhibit work not previously shown at SCAA.
However, previously exhibited work may be included if it strengthens a series or body of work.
Choose pieces that represent:
Your strongest craftsmanship
Your current direction
Work you are proud to discuss
Pieces ready for collectors
3. Framing & Presentation
For 2D Work:
All work must be:
Properly framed (if appropriate)
Clean and professional in appearance
Wired and ready to hang
Securely assembled
Frames should work together visually to create harmony across your display.
Avoid:
Sawtooth hangers
Damaged frames
Dirty glass
Inconsistent presentation styles
For 3D Work:
Ensure pieces are stable, clean, and clearly labeled.
Sets of pottery or sculpture must be priced as a set, not individually.
Help us showcase your work in the strongest possible way with professional promotional material
promotional materials
Artwork Image for Publicity
Each participating artist must submit at least one high-quality image for postcards, website, email, and social media promotion.
Image Requirements:
JPG or PNG
Minimum 300 dpi
At least 2000 pixels wide recommended
Sharp focus
Accurate color
Clean crop
Neutral background when possible
Best Choices:
Strong signature piece
Eye-catching work
Clear composition
Representative of your style
Artist Headshot
A professional headshot helps visitors connect with you.
Recommended:
Friendly, natural expression
Face clearly visible
Good lighting
Neutral or studio background
High-resolution JPG
Artists with strong personal presentation often receive stronger engagement.
Short Artist Bio
Provide a short bio (75–150 words).
Include:
Medium / artistic focus
Background or training
Exhibitions or achievements
What inspires your work
Keep tone professional and approachable.
Artist Statement (Highly Encouraged)
Statements help viewers understand your work and process.
Keep It Clear & Brief:
100–250 words ideal.
Include:
What you make
Why you make it
Materials/process
Themes or ideas explored
Good statements create deeper emotional connection—and often lead to sales.
Current and accurate representations of you and your work reinforce trust.
what we need from you
to help us market and promote your class successfully
checklist
✔ Headshot
✔ Artwork images: 4–6
✔ Instructor Bio: - 75-150 words (300 max)
✔ Class Description: 150-300 words
✔ Materials List (if appropriate)
✔ Testimonial (optional)
✔ High-resolution JPG or PNG files (2500 px)
✔ schedule day and time preferences for your class
what you can do to help market your SCAA class
Follow us on our social media platforms
Share our class posts on your social media
Create your own posts marketing your classes and tag us.
include your classes in your email or newsletters
instructor headshot
Choose a photo that feels professional / shows you as an artist, and is warm, and approachable. Consider a photo in your studio or creative environment.
These days you can take good photos with a smart phone, play around with settings, portrait mode is a good feature for headshots.
The images you provide will also be used for marketing purposes.
Best Practices:
Recent photos (2 -5 years)
Face clearly visible
Friendly expression / natural smile
Good lighting & in focus
Uncluttered background
Wear what feels authentic / professional / creative
Crop from chest or shoulders upward
Avoid:
Group photos / tight crops
Sunglasses / hats obscuring face
Dark, blurry, or low-quality images
Vacation snapshots or distant full-body photos
File Specs:
JPG or PNG
Minimum 2500 px on longest side
300 dpi preferred
Vertical or square format
or an original smart phone image
if in doubt email us the largest file you have.
artwork example images
Students want to see your style and quality of work. It is important to show examples of your best and most relevant work to the classes you teach.
The images you provide will also be used for marketing purposes
Include:
3–5 strong images of your artwork
Representative of what you teach
Well lit and sharply focused
Accurate color
Clean crop (avoid unrelated or heavily distracting backgrounds or distortion)
A studio shot can be useful when showing scale of work.
Helpful Mix:
Finished work
A detail shot optional
Work in progress or studio shot (optional)
File Specs:
JPG or PNG preferred
Minimum 2500 px wide
300 dpi preferred
If in doubt email us the larges file you have.
class description &
materials list
A good description helps students quickly understand what they will learn and who the class is for.
A materials list if applicable ensures students are prepared and have everything they need to succeed in class.
If you require a Supply fees students pay fees directly to the teacher.
Students can/may bring their own supplies and materials to a class if the teacher doesn't want to supply everything
We will publish the full description and also craft an excerpt for marketing purposes.
Keep It Short and Clear:
What students will learn
Skill level (beginner, all levels, advanced)
Medium or subject
What makes the class enjoyable or unique
Best Length:
150-300 words.( we will extact an excerpt for marketing)
Materials List:
Include a full list of necessary supplies. It is helpful to include where specialty materials can be purchased
Supplies fees:
Is there a supplies fee
what is provided for the fee
written bio
Your bio should build trust and show personality. We will use your bio in long form and also pull a excerpt from it for marketing purposes.
Include:
Medium / specialty
Experience teaching or exhibiting
Education or relevant background
Awards/publications (if relevant)
What students enjoy about learning with you
Website or social media or other links
Length:
75-150 words (300 words max). We will extract an excerpt for marketing. (e.e. Sarah Short’s bio is 84 wordcount)
Best Tone:
Professional, warm, engaging, human.
File Specs:
Word Doc or Mac Pages doc or PDF.
student testimonials (optional)
Nothing builds trust like a happy student. If you have taught with us recently we will use a testimonial from our class evaluations or a excerpt from your bio.
Testimonials will be used for marketing purposes.
Great Testimonials Mention:
What they learned
Instructor teaching style
Confidence gained
Enjoyment of the class
Example:
“Jane breaks techniques into simple steps and makes everyone feel capable. I learned more in one class than I expected.”
Short and authentic is best.
