It was bound to happen---

First show I used with Zapp-- a show I have done for 3 years - I am now out of!!!!!!

Does anyone know what happens in jurying the Zapp??? Do they use computer screens?? Power Point?? big screen? - exactly how is the application presented to the jury??

Thanks for any tea and sympathy``

Go to the Zapplication.org website and look through their forum. It answers most of your questions. Apparently different shows view the images different ways and they are supposed to tell you how they view them. I have not applied via Zapp yet, but have been preparing images and studying their methods.

good luck!

here's more info about the process.

http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/zapp-jury.htm

The main problem with Zapplication is that the online process for selecting artists to participate in shows will be determined by which artists have the best computer skills or which artists work expresses itself most positively in the electronic medium. These two determinants have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the work which should always remain of paramount concern for any serious artist. If this supposition is accurate, then we should see a continual erosion in the quality of the art work at our sidewalk shows. This will result in lower sales as the customers are only interested in the quality of the work, not the quality of the artists application skills.

Once we take our eyes away from the art work, we are lost. Be very careful here. Zapplication is just the beginning of the end for the sidewalk art market. If left unchecked, the art work at our shows will look like the process that selected it, impersonal, shallow, quick, cold, unfair, ordinary, and not of the best quality. If we are willing to accept this as our norm, what does that say about us? Perhaps that is what American artists have become.

I disagree.

When you have your work photographed for ANY promotional material, whether it be postcards, advertising or something to send to a client/gallery, you want it to be the BEST. And whether you (the artist) does that or pay someone to do the photographing, you still want the image look fantastic.

The same applies to Zapp. The only difference is they are not looking at a magazine slick or photograph - they are looking at a "slide" of your work. Nobody complains about submitting slides - Zapp only takes out the need to submit a physical slide. They simply review the image in electronic format.

I diasagree with the disagreer.

I have applied to several shows using Zapp. Incidentally, the same shows that previously did not use Zapp. When I apply through the art show's website, I get in. When I apply through Zapp, I don't.
Perhaps it is the presentation of my work to Zapp, or perhaps Zapp is just a method of getting more applications and $$$.
I won't use Zapp to apply for any other shows.

My chances of getting into a Zapp show is like 3 in 10.
My slides are done by a professional.
Next year , I'm going to opt out on most the zapp shows ...I MAY try a couple .....
but mostly it's a waste of money for me .
the top shows --that I applied to --on there , are getting 900- 1500 apps or more .
I love the ease of it ....but ,
I just know , for me , personally , if it's a zapp show --I am not getting in .

As soon as you get the rejected news call the show director, or e-mail if you can't get a number. I did for a favorite local show. Director got back to me, said my jury score was pretty good, being local was an advantage in this case, put me on the waiting list and sure enough 1 month before the show I was accepted. The 2nd year also accepted, hope upcoming 3rd year is a charm as well. I would like to think directors have "some" logical choices within the rules.

My only experience with the process is that of getting juried out of one of my top shows, the reason given being the 'poor quality ' of my photos. Ironically, they were taken by a photographer who was accepted at the show.

Zapp just puts another layer of insulation between the artist/crafter and the promoter. It's also a great way to 'harvest' jury fees.

While I have not had a great deal of experience, so far my Zapp average for acceptance is identical to my paper and slide experience, 50 percent.

What I think Zapp does is expand the field of applicants. It however unfortunately does not appear to improve the quality of the jury work, which still accepts an unfortunate level of buy/sell work.

My artist friends told me that the jury process was a "crap shoot" well before I ever got into this business, and well before Zapp existed. I have found that Zapp or non-Zapp, they were generally correct in this assertion.

My Zapp experiences are about the same as everyone else here. When I jury with the promoter I'm usually accepted. If I jury through Zapp I don't get in to those same shows including the ones that I usually do.
Also, the application fees have become exorbitant as well as show fees & buy/sell, more rampant than ever.
These are major concerns & this is the only forum that I'm aware of to air our concerns other than with each other during shows.
But what to do?????
I'm going back to the studio now to work on inventory for this wknd's show.
Hopefully Zapp will be nice to me while I'm gone & check the box that says I've won the "you've been accepted" award! Then I'll just have to talk with the "weather gods", hope the advertising gets our patrons to the show & buying.
Ah, life is good

Instead of complaining about ZAPP (or JAS), I suggest reading some of the resources on my web site. Besides a simulation of how ZAPP monitor jurors and JAS jurors see your images, I have interviews with jurors and reviews of open ZAPP juries. There is also a section on photographing your own art for those who are inclined to want to do everything yourself.

Or you can just NOT use Zapp!

I just posted this article on my web site this morning. Chris Coffey is a photographer who's been a juror for three major shows this year. It's a must for anyone interested in bettering their chances of getting into shows. Half of the 3,000 word interview is about improving your booth, both for the jury slide and the way it appears to your potential customers at an art show.
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/chris-coffey.htm

We have a show in Nashville that was promoted by website and word of mouth. This year they went with Zapp and the number of applications increased greatly. One thing Zapp or JAS does is get the show out to more people which generallly means more applications.