Seaside Art Gallery
2716 Virginia Dare Trail South
Nags Head, NC 27959, USA

Gallery hours: 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday

Artists info: Deadlineto receive art for the 2008 exhibit is estimated to be the 2nd or 3rd week of April.

For prospectus, see seasideart.com or send SASE to address below.
Contact: Melanie Smith, P.O.Box 1, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA

tel: 1 800 828 2444 fax: 001 252 441-8563
e-mail: info@seasideart.com
Website: http://www.seasideart.com


SHOW: 17th International Miniature Art Show

DATE: MAY 5 - 31, 2008 (Reception is May 24th)
SITE: Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, North Carolina

COST: Non-refundable $15 for first entry and $10 for additional entries up to three entries per artist. Check, money order or Master Card, Visa, AM Express, Discover or PAYPAL accepted.

AWARDS: $2000 in total. $600(1), $350(2), $250(3) and $100 for best watercolor, oil/acrylic, etching/eng/graphic, drawing/pencil, metal sculpture, other sculpture, mixed/enc/collage and people's choice award.

RECEPTION: Wine and heavy hors d' oeuvre's reception one week before the show closes.

JURYING PROCESS: The owner and her staff of two "jury" the entries. Unless the work has unacceptable themes (PORNOGRAPHIC/HATE) or is obvious non-art, it is accepted if the artist has obviously done his/her best. It should be noted that the primary owner is a fully accredited appraiser of fine art and has been a member of the International Society of Appraisers since 1971. She also serves on the board of advisors to the gallery business magazine "Art Business News".

RULES: All artwork must be original. Judging is done only on the originals, not on slides. All media is accepted except for photography or computer generated imagery. Sculptures should have no dimension greater that 6 inches including the base. For purposes of this show, miniature means artwork that is no more than 3 1/2" deep, front to back.

SIZE RESTRICTIONS OF IMAGES: There is no size restriction except, and this is important, outside dimensions of frames cannot exceed 40 square inches. This is critical, and will not be waived due to the need for display space. EXAMPLES: Outside measurement of frame 5X7(35 SQ IN) is acceptable; outside measurement of 6X7(42 SQ IN) is unacceptable.

JUDGING: Every year a distinguished expert in the field of art is utilized to conduct the awarding of prizes. Often the judge has some experience in the field of miniatures. 2008 - JEFF HARRISON, Chief Curator/Acting Curator of American & Contemporary Art at the Chrysler Museum

SIZE OF SHOW: The show has continued to grow since it's establishment. Currently about 200 artists enter, including those from abroad. Over 600 works are displayed.

QUALITY OF THE SHOW: It should be noted that of the 200 artists, about 50-70 are recognizable names in the miniature field whose works are consistently found in the top US and International shows.

UNIQUENESS OF THE SHOW: First, and foremost, the entire show can be viewed on the gallery's website WWW.SEASIDEART.COM for an entire year. Works can be purchased through the site as well. This allows miniature artists to literally "attend" the show and carefully study each entry.

Secondly, the gallery, established in 1961, is located in one of the nation;s highest tourist areas, the outer banks of North Carolina. The show is scheduled to coincide with the heaviest influx of visitors.

In addition, the show is attracting the followers of miniature art and one can meet meet people who have traveled to the area just because the show is on.

The show receives intense publicity in the local area in all forms of media, another big plus.

Lastly, while the gallery may not look large from the outside, once inside one is amazed at it's size. It contains over 2000 works of fine art as well as an extensive estate jewelry collection. It is a "must see" gallery on the outer banks.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: Notices of acceptance are not sent, however works are photographed upon receipt and posted on the web as fast as the small staff can do them. The owners are extremely responsive to their gallery email (INFO@SEASIDEART.COM). Works are also hung, after photography is completed, even before the offical start of the show. It is not unusual to have works sold prior to the opening.


RETURN OF WORK: Unsold works begin being sent back two weeks after the conclusion of the show. Works remain hung in the gallery until actually taken down for boxing and mailing.

SALES: For the past two years, about 35% of the works have sold. The owner receives a 35% commission.

DISPLAY OF WORKS: Works are displayed in a 736 square foot show room that offers seven large wall spaces. They are not hung behind glass and within cases, like in some shows. Magnifiers are provided to viewers. Paintings could actually be touched or lifted off the wall, however they are in an extremely safe environment.

ADVICE OF PARTICIPANT IN THIS SHOW: It is the perfect show for the new artist wishing to compare their work to other miniaturists.


Are you a miniature artist that has personally participated in this exhibit? If so, please share your experience in the comment section of this page to help other artists or collectors interested in this event.