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About This Seminar
Sat. January 31, 2026 | Shenkman Arts Centre
If you have wondered why you weren't accepted into a juried art show, this is the seminar you want to sign-up for. Former art show organizers and jury members have put together a special seminar that will give you a look 'behind the curtains' to discover what they look for from applications.
What is "Behind the Curtains"
Behind the Curtains is a seminar offered by a grass-roots group, which came together through meaningful conversation about the challenges many artists in Ontario face when trying to submit successful applications to juried art shows. This group is comprised of three very experienced arts-industry professionals, including Ross Rheaume, Andrea Elena, and David Lidbetter. Their combined experience includes operating and organizing art shows in Ottawa, as well as serving on juries for various art shows (including Art in the Park, NOIR Fine Art Festival, Sweetly Affordable, Ottawa Art Expo, and more).
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The Behind the Curtains seminar is designed to help address many of the questions that artists in Ontario might have about 'getting into juried art shows', and aims to provide constructive guidance for artists in order to improve their chances of success.
Meet The Team
What You Will Learn
Building a Strong Portfolio
A successful application begins with a strong portfolio of your work. We will go over the various things juries look for in a strong portfolio, and ways to improve your portfolio to increase your chance of success.
Fostering Literacy for 'Attention to Detail'
Often applications fail because they do not meet the requirements set out by the art show. We will teach you what you should be paying closer attention to, why it matters, and how to do it successfully.
Making Yourself Stand Out
Juries go over many applications, and sometimes choosing one applicant over another comes down to a few key things. We will provide examples of how to stand out and make your portfolio and application more desirable to juries.
Registration
Opening November 1, 2025
We will be opening registrations soon! For now, we encourage you to join the pre-registration list to express your interest and ensure you receive the invitation to register.
