Artist Residency Requirement

Artists wishing to submit artworks to Insights must be residents of the following areas:

Wellington County
Perth County
Huron County
Grey County
Dufferin County
The City of Guelph

Only artists residing in these specific regions, which share a border with Wellington County, are eligible to participate in the Insights exhibition.

Eligible Work

• Painting & Drawing 
  • Representational: Two-dimensional artworks that depict identifiable subjects drawn from life or imagination which include a clear reference to the visible world.
  • Abstract: Two-dimensional artworks that are non-representational, symbolic or fantastical and do not offer a realistic depiction of the visible world.
• Printmaking & Collage: Two-dimensional artworks using traditional or experimental print techniques, collage or composed by affixing various materials onto a surface.
• Sculpture & Assemblage: Artworks that occupy three-dimensional space made from traditional sculptural materials or found objects.
• Fibre Arts: Artworks employing textile materials and techniques presented as wall-mounted pieces, sculptural forms, wearable works, or conceptual installations.
• Artisanal Arts: Artworks created in traditionally artisanal media that emphasize form, concept, and a high level of technical skill and creativity, intended as visual art rather functional craft.
• Photography: Artworks using traditional or digital photographic processes.
• Digital & Experimental Media: Artworks created using digital tools, experimental media, or unconventional processes that explore new forms of visual expression.

Rules for Submission of Artworks

Originality and Creation Date:  Artworks must be original work, not created under supervision of an instructor, created within the last two years.
Number of Entries:  Each entrant may submit a maximum of three (3) pieces in any medium.
Insurance: All works must have an insurance value stated at the time of registration. This is also the case for works which are not for sale. Works will be insured for the appraised value.
Exhibition Duration:  All works must remain on display for the entire duration of the show.
Pricing and Commission: The insurance value stated at the time of submission will be the price posted on the painting. A 40% commission will be deducted from the selling price. The remaining balance will be paid to the artist after the show. Artists may submit works which are not-for-sale.

Presentation Requirements

• Work must be delivered suitably framed and prepared for hanging. (D-rings and wires must be adequate for the weight of the piece.
• Work must not exceed 70 kg (150 lbs).
• Unassembled work is ineligible.

Museum Privacy Policy

The County of Wellington has in place policies to safeguard individual privacy and personal information, in alignment with federal and provincial legislation. This commitment extends to artworks showcased in the Insights Juried Exhibition of Fine Art at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. Should your artwork feature recognizable individuals, the County of Wellington requires the completion of the Artwork, Photo, Video and Audio Consent Form. If you think you require this form, please contact insights@elorafergusartscouncil.ca.

Exemptions to Note:

• Artworks depicting public figures, imagined personas or abstract human figures do not require this form.

• Works that include unidentifiable figures in public settings are likewise exempt.

We aim to foster a supportive environment for artists, encouraging the submission of a diverse range of works while adhering to privacy standards.

Registration and Processing Fee

• Elora Fergus Arts Council members receive a 10% discount on the registration. The discount code will be sent in advance of the registration start date.

• Fees are to be paid during the online registration process. Accepted Payment: Credit card. The transaction will show a charge from Elora Fergus Arts Council.

• A non-refundable registration fee of $20 per artwork (maximum of 3) will apply. 

• An additional processing fee of $5 applies to each artist, regardless of the number of artworks submitted.

• Online registration will be confirmed by email with information on dates and times for drop-off of artwork at the Wellington County Museum and Archives.

• Please keep this email as a record of the information on the registration form.

Digital Image Guidelines

Registrants are requested to submit an image of each artwork as part of online registration. These images will not be used in the adjudication process.

Uploaded images, should be sized and labelled as follows:

• All images must be saved in .jpg format

• All image files must be less than 5 MB in size.

• All image files must be labelled as follows: ArtworkNumber_LastName.jpg

• Colour Correction: If you have the knowledge and capability, please colour correct, balance, and sharpen your images.

• Refer to the provided photographing artwork websites for tips on capturing the image and how to colour correct images.

• These guidelines ensure that your images are of consistent quality and consistency to be used in promotional material for the show.

Jury Process

A three-person jury will review the original, physical artworks in person and will deliberate together to determine which works are selected for the exhibition and which receive awards.

Jurors will select artwork on the basis of:
1. technical competence, composition and design
2. innovation in composition or technique, risk-taking, experimentation, subject matter
3. emotional or intellectual engagement

Inclusion in the exhibition is at the sole discretion of the jurors, and their decision is final. Artists will be notified of the Jury’s decision by email.