Join

Anyone who wants to actively join in with the Three Rivers Artists Guild’s mission to support art and artists in the Three Rivers Michigan area is welcome to apply! To download the application, click here: Membership Application

Membership is in two categories, “Artist Member“, for participating artists who have been juried-in to the Guild, and “Friend of the Guild” member, for others who support the mission of the Guild in Three Rivers. Artist Members are expected to actively participate in the Guild, and may show and sell their work at Guild events and serve on the Board of Directors.

Membership category descriptions –

  • Friends of the Guild: Anyone, artist or non-artist, who wishes to support and encourage the growth of an art culture in the Three Rivers area may become a Friend of the Guild. Dues are $25 annually. Friends of the Guild may attend all Guild sponsored workshops and educational events and may attend general membership meetings. Friends of the Guild do not vote. Friends of the Guild may not sell or display work at Guild events. Download the application or contact the Guild by email at 3rivart@gmail.com for more information.
  • Artist Members: Artists 18 and over working in the visual arts who wish to actively be part of  promoting artists and the Arts in Three Rivers may apply for jurying-in as an Artist Member of the Guild. Artist Members will serve on committees and may be elected to the Board. Artist Members will also participate in Guild-sponsored educational events, markets, and exhibitions.

Steps in applying for an Artist Membership

  • Fill out an application (download here:Membership Application)
  • Mail the fee and the filled-out application to the Guild. You will then be notified of the jurying-in time, date and place.
  • Prepare five pieces of recently completed work for presentation. Fine art and fine art crafts in any media are welcome, please check the list of “unacceptable for jurying” items below.
  • Show up on the scheduled jurying date.
  • You will be notified by mail of the jury’s decision. Fee will be refunded if you are not accepted, or applied to your first year of membership if accepted. Artists not accepted at the first jurying may reapply after one year.

Details about Jurying-In for Applicants
The jury consists of Artist Members of the Guild, it’s not scary! The purpose is not to judge your worth as an artist, but rather to decide if your work fits in with the Guild’s ideas and emphasis.

Prospective Artist Members will prepare for the jurying five works, framed (if 2D), or ready to present (if 3D.) Presentation counts! All works must be the original work of the artist, representing the artist’s typical work and media.

Jurors look for quality in design, technical competence, individual creative style, consistency and professional presentation. Each juror will have their own subjective interpretation of and reaction to the works presented, which is also part of the process.

Unacceptable work for jurying
Works unacceptable for submission or for exhibition at Three Rivers Artists Guild events may still be be attractive and carefully done, but not in line with the emphasis of the Three Rivers Artists Guild. Works not accepted for jurying include, but are not limited to:

    • Anything that violates copyright law.
    • Student work (work executed under supervision) is not acceptable for jurying as it is partially the teacher’s work.
    • Pieces intended for functional use, based primarily or entirely on purchased and/or manufactured items including manufactured patterns or molds, are not acceptable for jurying or for exhibition at Three Rivers Artists Guild events.
    • Beaded pieces must show skill with both design, and techniques (i.e. no loose threads, ends and edges well finished, bead holes nicely rounded.) Strung items made with store bought beads and findings are not acceptable.

Again, this is NOT a judgment on the attractiveness of such items, or whether or not they are “art”. The choice reflects the Guild’s emphasis on certain kinds of work.

If you still have questions as to whether or not your artwork fits with Guild requirements, please contact the Three Rivers Artists Guild by email at 3rivart@gmail.com. The decision of The Guild is final. Artists not accepted at the first jurying may reapply after one year.

Published on: May 19, 2010
Revised on: Feb. 15, 2015
Revised on: Nov 13 2021