Touchstone Gallery maintains an active membership of 30 to 35 artists, and is always screening for new members.
We are looking for both artists with a developed body of work, and those fresh out of art school looking for an established gallery to begin their careers. We take part in an active and diverse artistic community in downtown
Washington
D.C.
, minutes from the National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery and
Museum
of
American Art
, numerous galleries, theaters, and cultural centers.
We have a reputation for exhibiting contemporary work of the highest quality, vision and innovation. As member/owners, Touchstone artists enjoy the right to guide gallery policies and control their own exhibitions.
Touchstone Gallery juries artwork during its monthly membership meetings. The jury is composed of the Touchstone members in attendance. A 2/3 majority vote is required for acceptance.
If you would like to apply for membership, please call or visit the gallery during gallery hours and ask the director to schedule you for the next jurying session. On jurying day, between 11 am and 5 pm, deliver the following materials to the gallery:
1. Five pieces of your artwork. To give yourself the best chance for a successful jurying, choose your pieces as if you were preparing for a solo exhibition. All of the work you submit, both original pieces and CD Images should demonstrate a consistent and well developed style. Avoid submitting a non-cohesive body of work or work from different periods of your artistic development. At least two pieces must be framed or presented as you would for an exhibition. All pieces are to be clearly labeled to include: title, medium and retail price. Be sure to provide your name and telephone number.
2. 10-20 CD images of additional work with a reference list including title, date, size medium and retail price of each work. (This is optional.)
3. A copy of your resume and/or other items you wish to include (e.g. a short artist’s statement, brochures, reviews…)
4. Answers to the following questions:
1. Is this your most recent work?
2. Does this work represent the direction you will probably continue to explore?
3. Would you like to briefly address the membership on jurying night, and perhaps answer a few questions?
(This is optional - we are aware that some people may not be comfortable such a situation. Your answer to this question will in no way affect the outcome of the jurying - it is merely an opportunity for you to provide additional information.)
If you are unable to deliver work on the day of jurying, ask the director about making other arrangements.
The gallery's membership chairperson will call after the meeting to inform you of the jury's decision. If you are voted into the gallery, you may become a “Full” or “Show” member on the first day of the following month, if a vacancy is available. The director will arrange a meeting with you at a mutually agreeable time, to complete business arrangements and acquaint you with the gallery's operation. If a membership vacancy is not available, you may become a Member Elect and your name will be added to a waiting list.
FULL MEMBERSHIP
Benefits:
-Solo show after a minimum of 24 months membership. Solo show every other year thereafter.
-At least one work in main gallery group shows.
-At least one work in the group gallery at all times.
-Bin space for storage of additional pieces. These pieces are presented to potential buyers who show interest in a particular artist.
-Participation in other exhibition opportunities arranged by the gallery (i.e., exchange shows, theme shows, etc.).
-Promotional notebook in the Gallery.
-Representation on gallery web site. Multiple images from your work will be included.
-Access to computer workstation with Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Publisher and other software, flatbed and slide/film scanners, Zip and DVD drives and CD burner.
-Vote on matters before the membership.
Responsibilities:
-Current Membership dues of $149 per month.
-40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
-25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
-Gallery sitting one day a month.
-Serving on one of the permanent gallery committees.
-Attendance at monthly meetings.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Benefits:
-Same as Full Membership, but no solo show.
Responsibilities:
-Current Membership dues of $116 per month.
-40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
-25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
-Gallery sitting one day a month.
-Serving on one of the permanent gallery committees.
-Attendance at monthly meetings.
SHOW MEMBERSHIP
Benefits:
-Same as full membership.
-Artist is not required to participate on committees, sit in the gallery, nor attend monthly meetings.
Responsibilities:
-Current Membership dues of $237 per month.
-40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
-25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
YOUNG ARTIST MEMBERSHIP
Benefits:
-Same as Associate Membership.
Responsibilities:
-Available for individuals 18-28 years of age (If the age of 28 is reached during membership year regular dues apply).
-50% off Membership dues for 1 year.
-40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
-25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
-Gallery sitting one day a month.
-Serving on one of the permanent gallery committees.
-Attendance at monthly meetings.
2008 Touchstone Gallery