Merit

Today, I received a letter from one of the shows I applied for.

I was not accepted.

I was a little upset, but not very much, because I knew I was not a good fit for this show. The letter made me laugh because it told me," I will be disappointed,"" Please do not call the office to ask why you were not accepted," and, by the way," THIS IS A FINAL DECISION"!!!!.

How could they know how I would feel? I was not disappointed, and I have no intention of calling. Are not most decisions final?

It kills me when I get rejection letters from shows or grant applications. They always say so many people applied and" sorry you were not picked." By the way, good luck in your endeavours.

That's fine, but I must admit that I would like to know why I was not chosen. This way, too, I can understand what worthiness means.

These people who have decided for me how I must feel do not feel they have to explain themselves. They should since they believe I am disappointed. They are the ones who made me feel this way. LOL. Do they realize that as an artist, you grow stricter skin? Not being accepted at times is just part of the job.

How does one get accepted? MERIT, of course, I was told!

The definition of the word merit is:" the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially to deserve praise or reward"

Then I asked, what is the definition of merit for the Recommenders of these art grants and show organizers? How do they decide what is worthy or not? Who deserves praise or reward?

It must be a very difficult job. What thoughts go through their heads?

Is this artist committed to art or not?

Is it a name-brand artist or not? (So already deemed worthy.)

Do they paint fuzzy kitties or paint with human excrement?

It is a picture with three red dots called the" Sun over the snow."

Wow! What a concept!

Do these people realize they shaping the art world?

It would be challenging to determine what is worthy or not.

I do not begrunt these people, but I understand it. With such little money in the grant avenues and so much space in a show but so many artists vying for it, the task at hand can be difficult. The art world can be very, very pretentious at times. Everyone follows the head shepherd like sheep to what has merit and what does not. Never thinking for themselves. A Good CV or resume is essential because they need to see if someone else has deemed you worthy.

You have to have a formula. There are just so many of us artists. I am amazed at how something as expressive as art can be reduced to something so logical and subjective.

To me, merit is a person who truly looks at art with their eyes and heart and can appreciate it because it speaks to them.

It's a good thing I am not on a committee that decides who gets in and who does not because I would let every artist in. As an artist, I know all the work and sacrifice that goes into creating art—the hours and the passion.

It's not my place to decide what is worthy.