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        I' ll think of
        something to say very soon,,,

        
      

      
        10/12/2012,
        
I just got through
        noticing that I have been in twenty exhibits since I moved to
        Pittsburgh PA two years ago.
        
 
        
Here are some of the
        awards I have been privileged to have relieved since Oct, 2010:
        
 
        
2011 Jurors Choice,
        "Halo Exhibit" Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Pittsburgh,
        PA
        
2011 Best of Show,
        "Westmoreland Art Nationals," Latrobe, PA
        
2011 Peoples Choice,
        "Westmoreland Art Nationals," Latrobe, PA

        2011 Merit Award "Hoyt Mid Atlantic Juried Exhibition,"
        New Castle, PA
        
2012 Best of Show
        & Peoples Choice,"Rocking Horse Art Space," Pittsburgh,
        PA
        
2012 Merit Award "Midland
        Arts Council Summer Exhibition" Midland, PA
        
2012 Joan Swanson
        Macey Award, 2012 Annual Exhibition, Pittsburgh Society of Artists,
        Pgh, PA
        
2012 Inclusion in
        the Greater Latrobe School District Special Art Collection, Latrobe
        PA,
        
2013 Peoples Choice"
        17th Annual Exhibition, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at
        Ligonier         Valley,
        PA
        
 
        
Thank you for the
        priviledge?
      
  

      
        11/02/2012
        
Regarding the arts
        in Pittsburgh and in particular paintings and the visual arts:
        
I never lived in a
        town that has so many good artists in one area. The artists of
        Pittsburgh believe in art and evidently have for many generations.
        I belive in the artists of Pittsburgh,,,,
        
 
        
First: it's the young
        artists I want to compliment because their abundance of youthful
        energy in this art community which has the potential of making
        a Greenwich Village or Soho type of renaissance right here in
        Pittsburgh. Yes, I do think this is possible especially in consideration
        of the kind of buildings / some-what reasonable rents / cost
        of living that this area has available to accomplish the act.
        These young artists are showing the rest of us how to live breath
        and celebrate creativity. Just look at the youthful vitality
        that is going on during the art walks and events in the many
        areas here in Pittsburgh. Incredible how these great young artists
        are showing us old timers how to do it in the arts in Pgh. Yes
        I know there is a dearth of truly affordable art space, but Pittsburgh
        seems to have some relatively reasonable potentials for art spaces
        which could be raised from the ashes of the past (perhaps art
        will be the next phoenix here and loft us all in spirit ) I am
        inspired by these young artists in Pgh,,,
        
 
        
Second: there is a
        history in the arts in Pittsburgh that shows an investment in
        the arts which began many generations ago. I bring your attention
        to the great art in archatechure and the institutions which support
        the arts in our community. In other words it's evident that art
        has been integral to this city since it first got going. This
        in-grainedness of the arts in this community helps instill a
        belief in the arts which is reflected in the art communities
        belief in creativity as a part of daily living. This city (and
        region) and it's institutions deserve credit for the solid long
        haul sponsorship and endowment of the arts (music, theater and
        visual) purveyed in Pgh. Thank you,,, I wouldn't want to live
        here otherwise, speaking as an artist.
        
 
        
Third: the artists
        of Pittsburgh are quick to say that this is not a town to sell
        art in. That strikes me as being true given what I have seen
        in my two years here as an artist. Why is this so,? especially
        given the above? Here are my thoughts---Let me say it this way,
        if Pablo Picasso came to town, some artists might fear this,
        not me, I am certain that this would be the perfect time for
        the artists of Pittsburgh to get out there and show their best
        artwork to the people and collectors who would surely come to
        town to see works of a great artist such as Picasso. When there
        is an art community that is a "destination" for viewers
        and collectors along comes opportunity which can benefit the
        artists who show artwork in that community . That's how it seems
        to work in New York, Taos, Santa Fe. That is to say that we need
        to include, invite, solicit or whatever it takes to include the
        great artists from beyond our city limits and make them an active
        part of this wonderful art community and thusly be a part of
        what comes along with their contribution to the arts, yes from
        the larger world. The benefits for including the well known artists
        from outside are what creates the medium or cultural situation
        which brings in collectors and ultimately their followers and
        entourage who will then see our great expressions in art and
        yes I think that will help us be seen and make sales. This including
        and even importing great artists to show with in ones own art
        community is how it seems to work elsewhere where you have art
        communities which are known as a "destination" for
        the arts and collectors. You see we need their (great artists
        from other areas) help in order to raise the bar as we make our
        artwork available to the world. How does this work? Do like many
        sucessfull Art communities and towns with art venues have done
        for many-many- years, perhaps invite some great artists to be
        in a show and have a juried group of artists from Pittsburgh
        fill the rest of the show and you have attempted to have the
        best of both worlds, i.e. include outside-artists who will help
        make the show a "destination" and participate in the
        same show with them through a credible jury process ( or them
        with us how ever you want to look at it ) At the same ( perhaps
        running concurrently ) time it is as important to continuing
        paying attention to having wonderful open to all (non juried-just
        bring-it ) events such as Art All Night. ---- In this tried and
        true inclusive approach the benefits for the Pittsburgh art community
        would be as follows, the community would be able to see works
        by well know artists who's great work would help draw the attention
        of the greater art world to which we could show with together
        and be inspired by and even inspire them with our great art.
        Competition is not a bad thing!!!!, it draws interest from the
        world. The people /artists living in Pittsburgh could / would
        also continuing benefiting from the already established open
        to-all showing opportunities that would include every one, no
        exceptions. These are the kind of things I have seen work in
        places which have long been know as an art destination where
        sales for the artists are well know. --I ask this question, are
        closed doors and fear of outsiders preventing this art community
        from having everything needed to succeed in becoming an "Art
        Destination" that actually does "sell art" where
        the artists can make a living where they live, or at the very
        least do a little bit better? --- I am a new comer who has gotten
        out there (not invited) and been well received with the exception
        of only one art association and yes I have on occasion encountered
        some resistance in Pgh from a couple local established artists
        who have made an effort to not include my artistic expression
        as valid for some reason that is at least not inclusive. This
        business of success ( including sales) always being somewhere
        else or in the hands of a few elite (non-inclusive) community
        art funders is absolute bunk, that's right bunk, you see when
        you stay in a small group that does not grow that's an art colony,
        you know like ants in a bottle, but if you reach out and be inclusive
        you share ideas, you grow and everyone is a winner and that is
        what I call an Art Community. In short the reason Pittsburgh
        is not known as an art destination and the reasons that artists
        ( particularly painters ) have a hard time selling art in Pittsburgh
        are one in the same the same. We can't be an island unto ourselves
        and expect people to come back for more of the same. We as a
        community and as artists must be inclusive and offer the diverse
        creativity that we in this community already have in abundance
        and which is not being seen as well as it should be is because
        we are not doing what it takes to bring the world to see the
        eloquent, diverse human spirit that we have to offer to the world.
        No, I don't think success (not just $$$) is always somewhere
        else, I think this (Pittsburgh) is where a destination for the
        arts can and should be!!!!-- Again, I think It's the greatness
        of the young artists who will make the difference in the long
        run because in the short run they are way-way out in front leading
        the way to the future of the arts in Pittsburgh and with darn
        little support. These wonderful young artists ain't waitin-for-nothin,
        their doing it out of love of the arts and fellowship amongst
        their worthy effort, yes they are doing their part and then some.
        In any event I hope Pittsburgh will someday be that destination
        for the arts and artists to which it so richly deserves and that
        the Pittsburgh artists will some day tell a new-comer like me
        that this is the place to make and to sell art. --- Join an art
        organization ( there are too many good ones (less one) to place
        on this page), be a part, any part, but don't buy this bunk of
        elsewhere is where to succeed, that devalues both the artist
        and the community. Make it happen here by making and offering
        your best art and please consider being inclusive so all those
        artists, people and collectors who will come to see the beautiful
        expressions you already have to offer here in Pgh. --Pittsburgh
        your visual artists are already a world class success in the
        art created here but please just go that one step farther and
        be a part of a larger art world, don't let our good man, Andy
        be the only artist representing Pittsburgh to the world as an
        artist worthy of coming to see, find a way to stand beside his
        incredible effort, I am given to understand that Mr. Warhol who
        is now showing in a one man museum, went out of his way to be
        inclusive of other artists in his day, ironic, huh?. So please
        be inclusive of artists from the outside and see what happens
        right here in this great city. I salute the artists of Pittsburgh,
        heartfully as I celebrate life through the arts by volunteering
        where I can best help and by making and showing the best artwork
        I can possibly create. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Society
        of Artists and a previous member Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.
        Please join me in showing your best artwork where ever you live
        and beyond,,,,In closing people will travel to the corners of
        the world for great food, wine, music, theatre and paintings,
        lets make it happen here in Pgh,,,, do good work,,,,, Paul
      

      
        11/06/2012
        
I am deeply honored
        to have my work, Moonlight Over Cornstalks selected for inclusion
        in the Greater Latrobe School District Special Art Collection.
        
 
        
In the thirty years
        I have been making art this is my most treasured experience.
        Please forward my heart felt thanks to the wonderful students,
        faculty, staff, and everyone involved.
        
 
        
The reason I feel
        so privileged to be a part of this incredibly wonderful event
        is because I graduated from Graford High School, Graford TX and
        we had 220 students 1st through 12th and the school trips 50
        miles away to the museums in Ft. Worth influenced and inspired
        me to pursue the arts. Seeing that the Greater Latrobe School
        District has a history of valuing the arts and bringing the arts
        to the school students and educational process within your community
        is the finest example of why I want to live in this region. As
        a result of your long standing inclusiveness of the arts in education
        and community I am ever more honored and inspired to pursue the
        arts and to continue to learn. I am happy to say that I have
        learned something of great value from my experience upon just
        the one visit to the Greater Latrobe School District Special
        Art Collection.
        
 
        
I haven't the words
        to fully express my gratitude for being included in the special
        collection,,, I sincerely thank you!
        
 
        
All the best and warmest
        regards to all,,,
        
Paul McMillan
      
    

      
        03/11/2013
        
My thoughts on
        Judges and Jurors and Credibility in Art Exhibits:
        
 
        
--Art exhibitors
        should hold judges accountable to the show criteria offered
        by the art show exhibitors.
        
Even a supreme court
        judge goes by the law. If an art judge isn't give criteria to
        work with then he/she has absolute unchecked power.
        
 
        
--Art Exhibitors
        should have three judges or jurors to install credibility in
        the show place, especially in museum settings which are supposed
        to represent the best of the best. Any self respecting museum should know
        better than just having one judge for an all important show unless
        they want to de-value their credibility as a professional organization.
        Again, a judge or jurors should have criteria to go by.
        
 
        
--Art Exhibitors
        should never-ever-under any circumstance have a professional
        artist judging another professional artist whether he or she
        is the only juror or is one of a jury of judges. A professional artist who
        would judge their competition in this manner is in an unethical
        position. An artist who would judge another professional artist
        and give them the boot is a no good S.O.B. in my professional
        and personal opinion, especially when living in the same town
        and belonging to the same art organization to which they are
        being paid to judge or jury their fellow artists and other professionals
        in the same feild or town. This kind of thing has ruined too
        many previously credible organizations to count and also creates
        long term irreparable hard feelings between artists who are neighbors
        / professionals who live in the same town... Again, I will
        repeat Art exhibitors should never-ever-under any circumstance
        have a professional artist judging another professional artist.
        If an organization chooses a professional artist as a judge or
        a juror then the judge or juror should not be from the same town
        as a minimum requirement for the position...
        
 
        
--Art Exhibitors
        should exempt all previous jurors, employees from receiving awards in the same organizations
        in future exhibitions.
        
 
        
--Art Judges should
        not be allowed arbitrarilary make personal statements out of
        the body of work presented to them. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This
        is why there should be criteria for any judge or juror/s of an
        art exhibit which values credibility.
        
 
        
--When an Art Exhibitor
        asks the entrants to create new and never before seen works of
        art for a juried art exhibit there should be a minimum of three
        judges to jury the show.
        An artist should never enter a show requiring new unseen works
        to be created unless there are more than one judge, it's a good
        way to throw away your time money and inspiration and it creates
        long lasting hard feelings between artists and organizations.
        
 
        
--When an Art Exhibitor
        does not present ALL criteria including the number of judges
        prior to / way in advance of a call for entries, then the show
        is not credible in my opinion.
        I.E. if an artist does not know what they are signing up for
        and making art for then there is no real credibility and everything
        the artist invested in making art for a given show is at risk
        of being disposed of by one biased or unqualified judge with
        omnipotent power over the art and human subjects to which the
        basic premise of fairness in the judging or jurying is absolutely
        vital if credibility is to be respected equally for all entries
        to a given show.
        
 
        
--We artists entrust
        our art organizations to be fair in the judging and jurying of
        the show to which we enter and make art for. Unfortunately all to often
        they are not fair. The Art organizations and judges and professional
        artists who violate this breach of trust at the judging or jurying
        of an art show should be replaced. If an organization continues
        to purvey unethical behavior in the judging and jurying of their
        exhibits then an artist should leave the organization and invest
        their inspiration, time and monetary investment where the artistic
        creative grounds in an art community are rich in fairness for
        all regarding judges and jurors for art exhibits.
        
 
        
In our democracy
        fairness is required of the judges in the public positions to
        which they are entrusted,
        Judges go by examples of law when ruling on cases whether there
        is only the one judge or the case is decided by a jury. Again,
        an art organization / Art exhibitor should see the wisdom in
        fairness for all and if they don't, then there is quite possibly
        another unstated or unspoken agenda which should be stated in
        advance of a call for entries to an art show with maybe hundreds
        of paying entrants. Example: If an art exhibit has five-hundred
        entries, that might well represent five hundred weeks of work
        collectivly, that's nearly ten years of human labor at risk if
        fairness is not honored at the jurying or judging of the works
        to be accepted for an exhibition. That is the magnitude of the
        risk that is at hand in the face of the simplicity of the act
        of fairness in judging or jurying any of the important art exhibitions
        such as we have right here in Pittsburgh. It is also not fair
        to a judge, ( one judge ) to be burdened with judging / jurying
        such a magnitue of diverse works and actually do a fair and thorough
        job..
        
 
        
What is your art
        organization or museum doing to preserve integrity and fairness
        in the Exhibitions which
        show artworks representing the best efforts of your community
        of artists in the exhibits offered to the public? How are we
        doing in PGH? It's your town, you tell me, or better yet tell
        your art organization what you think is right or wrong,,,
        
 
        
Artists are only
        devaluating themselves when they continue to offer works to art
        shows / exhibitors /organizations which are not credible. The best way to ruin a good
        art organization or art community is to destroy the credibility
        of the artists and the shows offered within in the community
        by having unfair judges and jurors in the art exhibits shown
        in any community which truly values great art and artists.
        
 
        
I hope you will celebrate
        life with love and some kind of artistic expression.
        
 
        
Be well, be fair,
        and make great art!
        
 
        
Paul,,,
      

      
        Pittsburgh Society of Artists www.pittsburghsocietyofartists.org
        
 
        
I fell in love with this guild at my first
        attendance. I recommend you go to their Website and look for
        yourself as to why and how this Organization supports artists
        and their efforts in a most kind considerate and thoughtful way.
        If you want to celebrate fellowship while making art and showing
        art and just enjoying a better world to be involved in then the
        PSA might be the right choice for you.
        
 
        
Editors note: I am still in love with
        this organization and I feel as though I can never really return
        the warmth of spirit and support that can be found at any participation
        with the PSA. I beg you to please consider supporting this wonderful
        organization. 
        
 
        
This organization ( PSA ) does make the
        world a better place for us all,, Paul McMillan
      

      
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I' ll think of something to say very soon,,,
10/12/2012, I just got through noticing that I have been in twenty exhibits since I moved to Pittsburgh PA two years ago. Here are some of the awards I have been privileged to have relieved since Oct, 2010: 2011 Jurors Choice, "Halo Exhibit" Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Pittsburgh, PA 2011 Best of Show, "Westmoreland Art Nationals," Latrobe, PA 2011 Peoples Choice, "Westmoreland Art Nationals," Latrobe, PA 2011 Merit Award "Hoyt Mid Atlantic Juried Exhibition," New Castle, PA 2012 Best of Show & Peoples Choice,"Rocking Horse Art Space," Pittsburgh, PA 2012 Merit Award "Midland Arts Council Summer Exhibition" Midland, PA 2012 Joan Swanson Macey Award, 2012 Annual Exhibition, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Pgh, PA 2012 Inclusion in the Greater Latrobe School District Special Art Collection, Latrobe PA, 2013 Peoples Choice" 17th Annual Exhibition, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, PA Thank you for the priviledge?



11/02/2012 Regarding the arts in Pittsburgh and in particular paintings and the visual arts: I never lived in a town that has so many good artists in one area. The artists of Pittsburgh believe in art and evidently have for many generations. I belive in the artists of Pittsburgh,,,, First: it's the young artists I want to compliment because their abundance of youthful energy in this art community which has the potential of making a Greenwich Village or Soho type of renaissance right here in Pittsburgh. Yes, I do think this is possible especially in consideration of the kind of buildings / some-what reasonable rents / cost of living that this area has available to accomplish the act. These young artists are showing the rest of us how to live breath and celebrate creativity. Just look at the youthful vitality that is going on during the art walks and events in the many areas here in Pittsburgh. Incredible how these great young artists are showing us old timers how to do it in the arts in Pgh. Yes I know there is a dearth of truly affordable art space, but Pittsburgh seems to have some relatively reasonable potentials for art spaces which could be raised from the ashes of the past (perhaps art will be the next phoenix here and loft us all in spirit ) I am inspired by these young artists in Pgh,,, Second: there is a history in the arts in Pittsburgh that shows an investment in the arts which began many generations ago. I bring your attention to the great art in archatechure and the institutions which support the arts in our community. In other words it's evident that art has been integral to this city since it first got going. This in-grainedness of the arts in this community helps instill a belief in the arts which is reflected in the art communities belief in creativity as a part of daily living. This city (and region) and it's institutions deserve credit for the solid long haul sponsorship and endowment of the arts (music, theater and visual) purveyed in Pgh. Thank you,,, I wouldn't want to live here otherwise, speaking as an artist. Third: the artists of Pittsburgh are quick to say that this is not a town to sell art in. That strikes me as being true given what I have seen in my two years here as an artist. Why is this so,? especially given the above? Here are my thoughts---Let me say it this way, if Pablo Picasso came to town, some artists might fear this, not me, I am certain that this would be the perfect time for the artists of Pittsburgh to get out there and show their best artwork to the people and collectors who would surely come to town to see works of a great artist such as Picasso. When there is an art community that is a "destination" for viewers and collectors along comes opportunity which can benefit the artists who show artwork in that community . That's how it seems to work in New York, Taos, Santa Fe. That is to say that we need to include, invite, solicit or whatever it takes to include the great artists from beyond our city limits and make them an active part of this wonderful art community and thusly be a part of what comes along with their contribution to the arts, yes from the larger world. The benefits for including the well known artists from outside are what creates the medium or cultural situation which brings in collectors and ultimately their followers and entourage who will then see our great expressions in art and yes I think that will help us be seen and make sales. This including and even importing great artists to show with in ones own art community is how it seems to work elsewhere where you have art communities which are known as a "destination" for the arts and collectors. You see we need their (great artists from other areas) help in order to raise the bar as we make our artwork available to the world. How does this work? Do like many sucessfull Art communities and towns with art venues have done for many-many- years, perhaps invite some great artists to be in a show and have a juried group of artists from Pittsburgh fill the rest of the show and you have attempted to have the best of both worlds, i.e. include outside-artists who will help make the show a "destination" and participate in the same show with them through a credible jury process ( or them with us how ever you want to look at it ) At the same ( perhaps running concurrently ) time it is as important to continuing paying attention to having wonderful open to all (non juried-just bring-it ) events such as Art All Night. ---- In this tried and true inclusive approach the benefits for the Pittsburgh art community would be as follows, the community would be able to see works by well know artists who's great work would help draw the attention of the greater art world to which we could show with together and be inspired by and even inspire them with our great art. Competition is not a bad thing!!!!, it draws interest from the world. The people /artists living in Pittsburgh could / would also continuing benefiting from the already established open to-all showing opportunities that would include every one, no exceptions. These are the kind of things I have seen work in places which have long been know as an art destination where sales for the artists are well know. --I ask this question, are closed doors and fear of outsiders preventing this art community from having everything needed to succeed in becoming an "Art Destination" that actually does "sell art" where the artists can make a living where they live, or at the very least do a little bit better? --- I am a new comer who has gotten out there (not invited) and been well received with the exception of only one art association and yes I have on occasion encountered some resistance in Pgh from a couple local established artists who have made an effort to not include my artistic expression as valid for some reason that is at least not inclusive. This business of success ( including sales) always being somewhere else or in the hands of a few elite (non-inclusive) community art funders is absolute bunk, that's right bunk, you see when you stay in a small group that does not grow that's an art colony, you know like ants in a bottle, but if you reach out and be inclusive you share ideas, you grow and everyone is a winner and that is what I call an Art Community. In short the reason Pittsburgh is not known as an art destination and the reasons that artists ( particularly painters ) have a hard time selling art in Pittsburgh are one in the same the same. We can't be an island unto ourselves and expect people to come back for more of the same. We as a community and as artists must be inclusive and offer the diverse creativity that we in this community already have in abundance and which is not being seen as well as it should be is because we are not doing what it takes to bring the world to see the eloquent, diverse human spirit that we have to offer to the world. No, I don't think success (not just $$$) is always somewhere else, I think this (Pittsburgh) is where a destination for the arts can and should be!!!!-- Again, I think It's the greatness of the young artists who will make the difference in the long run because in the short run they are way-way out in front leading the way to the future of the arts in Pittsburgh and with darn little support. These wonderful young artists ain't waitin-for-nothin, their doing it out of love of the arts and fellowship amongst their worthy effort, yes they are doing their part and then some. In any event I hope Pittsburgh will someday be that destination for the arts and artists to which it so richly deserves and that the Pittsburgh artists will some day tell a new-comer like me that this is the place to make and to sell art. --- Join an art organization ( there are too many good ones (less one) to place on this page), be a part, any part, but don't buy this bunk of elsewhere is where to succeed, that devalues both the artist and the community. Make it happen here by making and offering your best art and please consider being inclusive so all those artists, people and collectors who will come to see the beautiful expressions you already have to offer here in Pgh. --Pittsburgh your visual artists are already a world class success in the art created here but please just go that one step farther and be a part of a larger art world, don't let our good man, Andy be the only artist representing Pittsburgh to the world as an artist worthy of coming to see, find a way to stand beside his incredible effort, I am given to understand that Mr. Warhol who is now showing in a one man museum, went out of his way to be inclusive of other artists in his day, ironic, huh?. So please be inclusive of artists from the outside and see what happens right here in this great city. I salute the artists of Pittsburgh, heartfully as I celebrate life through the arts by volunteering where I can best help and by making and showing the best artwork I can possibly create. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists and a previous member Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Please join me in showing your best artwork where ever you live and beyond,,,,In closing people will travel to the corners of the world for great food, wine, music, theatre and paintings, lets make it happen here in Pgh,,,, do good work,,,,, Paul

11/06/2012 I am deeply honored to have my work, Moonlight Over Cornstalks selected for inclusion in the Greater Latrobe School District Special Art Collection. In the thirty years I have been making art this is my most treasured experience. Please forward my heart felt thanks to the wonderful students, faculty, staff, and everyone involved. The reason I feel so privileged to be a part of this incredibly wonderful event is because I graduated from Graford High School, Graford TX and we had 220 students 1st through 12th and the school trips 50 miles away to the museums in Ft. Worth influenced and inspired me to pursue the arts. Seeing that the Greater Latrobe School District has a history of valuing the arts and bringing the arts to the school students and educational process within your community is the finest example of why I want to live in this region. As a result of your long standing inclusiveness of the arts in education and community I am ever more honored and inspired to pursue the arts and to continue to learn. I am happy to say that I have learned something of great value from my experience upon just the one visit to the Greater Latrobe School District Special Art Collection. I haven't the words to fully express my gratitude for being included in the special collection,,, I sincerely thank you! All the best and warmest regards to all,,, Paul McMillan

03/11/2013 My thoughts on Judges and Jurors and Credibility in Art Exhibits: --Art exhibitors should hold judges accountable to the show criteria offered by the art show exhibitors. Even a supreme court judge goes by the law. If an art judge isn't give criteria to work with then he/she has absolute unchecked power. --Art Exhibitors should have three judges or jurors to install credibility in the show place, especially in museum settings which are supposed to represent the best of the best. Any self respecting museum should know better than just having one judge for an all important show unless they want to de-value their credibility as a professional organization. Again, a judge or jurors should have criteria to go by. --Art Exhibitors should never-ever-under any circumstance have a professional artist judging another professional artist whether he or she is the only juror or is one of a jury of judges. A professional artist who would judge their competition in this manner is in an unethical position. An artist who would judge another professional artist and give them the boot is a no good S.O.B. in my professional and personal opinion, especially when living in the same town and belonging to the same art organization to which they are being paid to judge or jury their fellow artists and other professionals in the same feild or town. This kind of thing has ruined too many previously credible organizations to count and also creates long term irreparable hard feelings between artists who are neighbors / professionals who live in the same town... Again, I will repeat Art exhibitors should never-ever-under any circumstance have a professional artist judging another professional artist. If an organization chooses a professional artist as a judge or a juror then the judge or juror should not be from the same town as a minimum requirement for the position... --Art Exhibitors should exempt all previous jurors, employees from receiving awards in the same organizations in future exhibitions. --Art Judges should not be allowed arbitrarilary make personal statements out of the body of work presented to them. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is why there should be criteria for any judge or juror/s of an art exhibit which values credibility. --When an Art Exhibitor asks the entrants to create new and never before seen works of art for a juried art exhibit there should be a minimum of three judges to jury the show. An artist should never enter a show requiring new unseen works to be created unless there are more than one judge, it's a good way to throw away your time money and inspiration and it creates long lasting hard feelings between artists and organizations. --When an Art Exhibitor does not present ALL criteria including the number of judges prior to / way in advance of a call for entries, then the show is not credible in my opinion. I.E. if an artist does not know what they are signing up for and making art for then there is no real credibility and everything the artist invested in making art for a given show is at risk of being disposed of by one biased or unqualified judge with omnipotent power over the art and human subjects to which the basic premise of fairness in the judging or jurying is absolutely vital if credibility is to be respected equally for all entries to a given show. --We artists entrust our art organizations to be fair in the judging and jurying of the show to which we enter and make art for. Unfortunately all to often they are not fair. The Art organizations and judges and professional artists who violate this breach of trust at the judging or jurying of an art show should be replaced. If an organization continues to purvey unethical behavior in the judging and jurying of their exhibits then an artist should leave the organization and invest their inspiration, time and monetary investment where the artistic creative grounds in an art community are rich in fairness for all regarding judges and jurors for art exhibits. In our democracy fairness is required of the judges in the public positions to which they are entrusted, Judges go by examples of law when ruling on cases whether there is only the one judge or the case is decided by a jury. Again, an art organization / Art exhibitor should see the wisdom in fairness for all and if they don't, then there is quite possibly another unstated or unspoken agenda which should be stated in advance of a call for entries to an art show with maybe hundreds of paying entrants. Example: If an art exhibit has five-hundred entries, that might well represent five hundred weeks of work collectivly, that's nearly ten years of human labor at risk if fairness is not honored at the jurying or judging of the works to be accepted for an exhibition. That is the magnitude of the risk that is at hand in the face of the simplicity of the act of fairness in judging or jurying any of the important art exhibitions such as we have right here in Pittsburgh. It is also not fair to a judge, ( one judge ) to be burdened with judging / jurying such a magnitue of diverse works and actually do a fair and thorough job.. What is your art organization or museum doing to preserve integrity and fairness in the Exhibitions which show artworks representing the best efforts of your community of artists in the exhibits offered to the public? How are we doing in PGH? It's your town, you tell me, or better yet tell your art organization what you think is right or wrong,,, Artists are only devaluating themselves when they continue to offer works to art shows / exhibitors /organizations which are not credible. The best way to ruin a good art organization or art community is to destroy the credibility of the artists and the shows offered within in the community by having unfair judges and jurors in the art exhibits shown in any community which truly values great art and artists. I hope you will celebrate life with love and some kind of artistic expression. Be well, be fair, and make great art! Paul,,,
Pittsburgh Society of Artists www.pittsburghsocietyofartists.org I fell in love with this guild at my first attendance. I recommend you go to their Website and look for yourself as to why and how this Organization supports artists and their efforts in a most kind considerate and thoughtful way. If you want to celebrate fellowship while making art and showing art and just enjoying a better world to be involved in then the PSA might be the right choice for you. Editors note: I am still in love with this organization and I feel as though I can never really return the warmth of spirit and support that can be found at any participation with the PSA. I beg you to please consider supporting this wonderful organization. This organization ( PSA ) does make the world a better place for us all,, Paul McMillan
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