Square Foot 2010 FAQ's
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**NEW for 2010**
Registration Fee is $20 per artist.
Artwork will be for sale at $225 each (taxes not included).
The exhibition will be open the entire day Saturday August 21st and will not close before the Artist Reception.
Gallery hours for Square Foot are Thurs. – Sat. 12-8pm, and Sun. 12-5pm.

Quick Hits
1.How to register.
2.Important Dates.
3.Packaging of artwork.
4.Shipping/delivery of artwork.
5.Pick up and return of artwork.
6.Exhibition and reception.
7.Art sales.
8.Summary.

1. How to register:

How can I participate?
Download a contract from our website. Send a signed copy with cheque or money order with registration fee of $20 made out to AWOL Gallery via mail by Friday July 16, 2010 to AWOL Gallery 78 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON, M6J 2Y7. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY OR TYPE INFO ON CONTRACT and please use the same artist name on contract as on the artwork itself. Illegible contracts and emails may result in you not receiving important info and misplacement of artwork. Confirmation of receipt of your contract will be sent via email by Friday July 23rd. Please do not call or email the gallery prior as we require time to process the hundreds of applications. Also, please remember to check your spam/junk email folder for your confirmation.

Is there a registration fee?

There is a flat registration fee of $20 per artist. Up to 3 pieces may be submitted. For out of country participants please note that all custom duties and return postage for unsold artworks returned are the responsibility of the artist and will not be paid for by AWOL Gallery.

I paid by Paypal – what now?
You do not have to mail a contract. You must bring a copy of your paypal receipt (this acts as your confirmation of payment and RSVP for Square Foot), your filled out contract, along with your artwork on the drop off day. Participants who pay by paypal will not receive from AWOL a confirmation email.

Does my artwork need to be done before I RSVP?
No. Your artwork must be finished and dry when you drop it off or mail it to the gallery. The RSVP is your reservation to exhibit in the Square Foot Show.

Can I RSVP after the deadline?
No. Any submission postmarked or hand delivered after the deadline will not be considered. If you did not RSVP you cannot show up on the drop-off day and deliver artworks.

How will I know if my contract/RSVP was received?
**Due to the overwhelming rsvp responses we receive, confirmations will be emailed by Fri. July 23rd. We thank you in advance for your patience.**

AWOL will send all artists an email confirmation by Fri. July 23rd. Please Do NOT CONTACT THE GALLERY. We are dealing with hundreds of artists and there is only one person in the office - please be patient as we process all applications. Also, please double check your spam/junk email folders as our confirmation letter may end up there.

If you have paid by paypal you will NOT receive a confirmation email from AWOL. Instead, print your paypal receipt and bring along with your filled out contract and artwork on the drop-off day.

If I RSVP, do I have to exhibit or can I get a refund?
Registration fees are non refundable. Please consider that if you RSVP and do not submit artwork by the drop off date, you take the chance away from someone who can. If you are no longer able to take part after having submitted a RSVP please let the gallery know by e-mail immediately, awolsqftshow@gmail.com.

How many works may I submit?
You may submit up to 3 artworks.

Can I register/submit for a group of artists?
Yes. However each artist must have their own contract and the name of the person responsible for the group must also be printed clearly on each contract.

2. Important Dates: (Mark your calendars)

RSVP deadline:
•Friday July 16th, 2010

Drop off deadline:
•Tuesday August 10, from 5-9pm (76 Ossington)
•Saturday August 14th, 2-6pm (76 Ossington)

Pick up dates:
•Sunday September 5th from 6-9 (100A Ossington)
•Tuesday September 7th from 6-9pm (100A Ossington)
•Sunday September 12th from 12-5pm (78 Ossington)

How do I deliver my artwork?
Artwork can be submitted in person (by you or someone you know and trust) at 76 Ossington Avenue, (just north of Queen St. W.), Toronto during the drop off date ONLY.Tuesday, August 10, 5 to 9pm or Saturday, August 14, 2 to 6pm.
Mailed artworks should arrive at the gallery by 6 pm, Tuesday, August 10 to AWOL Gallery and Studios, 78 Ossington Avenue, 2nd floor, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y7

All artworks requiring special hanging hardware (other than nails or drywall screws) or instruction must have this included with their submissions.

3. Packaging of artwork:

How should I package my work?
Please wrap each individual piece in clear plastic. Please do not use household shrink wrap as it could stick to your piece and cause damage (for ex. you could use drop-sheet plastic from your local hardware store). Any delicate pieces can be additionally wrapped in bubble wrap or specially made box etc. at your discretion. If your painting is not completely dry and still sticky...then don't wrap it!

All artworks requiring special hanging hardware (other than nails or drywall screws) or instruction must have this included with their submissions.

4. Shipping/delivery of artwork:

When is the drop off date?

Drop off date in person is ONLY ON
Tuesday, August 10th, 5 to 9pm or
Saturday, August 14th, 2 to 6pm
at 76 Ossington Avenue, just north of Queen St. West, Toronto

Mailed artworks should arrive at the gallery by end of day Tuesday, August 10th to AWOL Gallery, 78 Ossington Avenue, 2nd floor, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y7

What if I am sending my work by mail?
Again, if you are sending your work by mail or delivery service you must pay for all shipping cost including return postage. Please request for actual stamps and not a dated postage print out, which has caused problems for returning packages at the post office in the past. If you are sending work from the USA and other countries please confirm with your delivery company that you have covered all costs including duty charges. Failure to do so may result in artworks seized by Canadian Customs and AWOL will not be responsible for retrieving them.

5. Pick-up and return of work:

When is the pick up date?

The pick up date is Sunday, September 5, 6-9pm at 100A Ossington Avenue and Tuesday September 7 from 6-9pm. All artists are asked to pick up work either themselves or make arrangements to have artworks picked up by someone else on this date. If work is being picked up by someone else please e-mail or call in with this person's name beforehand.

What if I cannot make it on the pick up date or send a friend?

A third pick up date on Sunday, September 12, 12-5pm is scheduled at AWOL Gallery, otherwise simply submit or send us a self addressed/postage paid package with your artwork. Work will not be stored at the gallery and will become the property of the gallery past these dates. Work will be donated, raffled or given away.

6. Exhibition and Reception:

Can I plan to hang my square on an angle?
No! All works are hung on a level grid with no exceptions.

My work is electronic. Is there access to electrical outlets?
Yes. However spots may be limited. Again please include any special instructions for artworks that are not straight forward.

Does my piece need to be "ready to hang"?
Yes, although with some work a support is not possible. Please keep in mind that loose drawings or photos with no support are easily damaged in the sorting and hanging process and therefore should be wrapped appropriately with a hard board to avoid creasing.

Should I include hanging instructions and hardware?
Only if your piece requires unique hardware to hang it safely, please include instructions and hardware. If you are using a 12”x12” canvas on a stretcher you don’t need to put a wire on it...we just hang it off the frame using a nail or screw.

What is the maximum or minimum size of artwork work I can submit?
All works submitted to the SQFT show must be exactly 12 inches by 12 inches and no deeper than 5 inches (framed or unframed). Any works exceeding the dimensional requirements will not be displayed. Example: If you have a 12x12 inch artwork and you put it into a 13 x13 inch frame it will not be accepted.

What other info should be included with the artwork?
All works should be clearly labeled on the back with your name, title, medium and contact info clearly in print. If submitting abstract work please indicate with an arrow which side is up. Also please make sure the artist name on the contract matches the same name on the artwork.

Will all the artworks I submit be displayed in the show?
Due to limited space and tremendous response received for the Square Foot Show only 1 artwork will be guaranteed, but more may be hung at AWOL's discretion. Last year almost all the work was shown. Remaining work will be stored and will be available for viewing upon request.

Where is the show being held this year?
The show is being held again at 100A Ossington Avenue, just a few doors North of AWOL Gallery.

What is the difference between the Gala and Artist Reception?
The Gala takes place this year on Friday August 20th from 7-10pm and is a ticketed event to encourage collectors and press to celebrate your work and has in the past doubled as a fundraiser for charity. You are welcome to purchase a ticket to attend the Gala.

However, the Artist Reception the following evening Saturday August 21st from 7 till late is a celebration for the artists and is FREE, open to the public, family and friends.

7. Art Sales:

How much will the work be sold for?
All the works in the Square Foot show will be at a set price of $225 each with 50% of the sale going to the artist and 50% to AWOL gallery.

What if my artwork sells?
You will receive a cheque when you pick up your work or the cheque will be mailed to you within 30 days of the show closing.

If my work sells do I get the buyers contact information?
No. Due to past concerns over privacy it is up to you to have your contact information on the back of your artworks or any note to prospective buyers. It is up to the buyer to contact you personally to provide their contact info to you directly. Where room allows many artists put a business card on the back of their work for this purpose.

8. Summary:
*Mark and double check ALL dates/times on your calendar
*ensure your finished work is exactly 12x12 inches. - no smaller, no larger!
*wrap your work appropriately in clear packaging and safely.
*ensure you or someone you know can drop the work off and pick it up, or make sure you've sufficient postage/packaging to send and return by mail.
*come to and have a blast at the reception, visit the show often, send friends and colleagues
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