_ At some point in an artist's life, he or she will receive that dreaded "skinny" letter from a show. Yes, the Rejection Letter. And, my fellow shy artists, this is one time that there really is no difference between a shy artist and a non-shy artist. We all go through the same sort of emotions when we open up that letter.

_ In the days and weeks prior to the letter's arrival, we are full of hope. We are proud of the new works that we have created. We show them off to our friends. We know, we just know, that this time we will get into that show. How can they not accept us? The work is fabulous and it fits the show perfectly.

Then the letter arrives. Do I open it now or wait for a trusted friend to be present? What if they don't accept me? Wherever shall I go? Whatever shall I do?

Oh, but they have to accept me!
 

Sound of tearing paper…


Well, another year, another rejection.

Now comes the inevitable depression. We had our hopes pinned on getting into that show. And, rejection can be crushing.

So, how do we lessen the impact? Well, first and most importantly, remember that it is not personal! They don't hate you or your work. For whatever reasons, the jury decided that your work did not fit what they were looking for this year. It is so easy to fall into that trap of thinking that they are out to get you. Don't go there.

Jurying a show is very difficult job to do. The jurors have to choose just a few artists from possibly hundreds of applicants. They have to look not only at the artistic merit but also the quality of the work, whether the work fits the theme of the show, whether the work fits the demographics of the show, whether the work is up to the standards of the show, and a whole host of other things that we are probably not even aware of. It is not an easy job to choose who gets in and who doesn't.

So, the next time you get rejected, take a deep breath. Maybe wallow in some self pity for a short time. And then, GET BACK TO WORK!