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disCOVEry 2001: A Space Odyssey v i s u a l a r t s | by G r a h a m Eagle no thanks," the volunteer signing out the art loved my work so much that she bought one of my paintings. My first sale to a complete stranger! Since then I have submitted my work to a number of gallery juries and have been accepted more times than rejected (phew!). However, to be on the other side of the easel (so to speak) being a juror is quite a different story. This year, I am one of three jurors for A exhibition is accepted or eliminated. The jury then selects award winners from the "best" of the crop. It all sounds a lot easier than it really is. For the artist, I offer a couple of insider tips. Be on time and have your work finished and ready for presentation. Believe it or not, artists have submitted canvases tacked to cardboard, pieces with broken glass and scratched frames, and paintings that were still wet. Remember that the jury has only a few hours to seriously view and evaluate up to 120 images and sculptures. How much consideration would you give to a piece that even the artist doesn't seem to care about? Also, don't be late and expect to be let in to the show. Most importantly, to both artist and viewer, savour "the Odyssey." Bring submissions to the Seymour Art Gallery, 4360 Gallant Avenue, Deep Cove, on January 15,10am to 3pm, with a $14 jury fee and completed entry form. Call Carole Badgley at 924.1378 for further information. disCOVEry 2001: A Space Odyssey runs from January 21 to February 25. "A Space Odyssey." What do the words conjure up in your imagination? Primitive man? A black obelisk and a heap of bones, or the spaceship Discovery floating gracefully through space to the strings of a Strauss waltz? Sorry folks, it's time to broaden your perspective. A Space Odyssey is the theme of the Seymour Art Gallery's juried disCOVEry 2001 exhibition. However, it could also be a description of a journey into the cosmos of juried art shows. Each year, the disCOVEry Space Odyssey, along with Carole Badgley, based on a theme, and artists are invited to present a work to a jury that reflects that theme. The series have been a big hit with artists and gallery visitors alike, with themes that challenge both the artist and the viewer. For instance, previous themes include "The Singular Face," "The Darker Side," and "The End." While the concept of the exhibition is exciting and intriguing, it also raises the question of how a show so seemingly subjective can be juried? And how does an artist approach a juried show? My first foray into juried exhibitions was a failure and a success all in one day. Although the jury politely said "Thanks, but 18 January ! February curator of the Seymour Art Gallery, and Mary AnneTateishi, a mixed-media artist. Being a juror is as challenging as creating and submitting a piece of my own work. Here's a snapshot of the "jury odyssey." Once all the submissions are in, the work is selected objectively without considering the artist, title, or artist statement. The submissions are then assessed through two rounds of voting. On the first round, pieces that lack competency and/or theme are eliminated by ballot. In the second round, ballots are cast for the pieces that each juror feels should be in the show. The more "votes" a piece has, the higher is its standing. Pieces with fewer votes are discussed and either