Frequently Asked Questions
How to Enter
• How do I enter Made in California?
The only way to submit your work for consideration for the Made in California exhibition is via the links on our MICA page prior to the entry deadline. All applicants must follow the same procedures - all of the submissions must be collected through the application form and all payments must be made through Square at the end of the form.
Do not email or DM your artwork to the Gallery in hopes of bypassing the system or getting extra insight from Gallery staff. However, if you are experiencing issues with any of the steps of applying, please read below for some helpful FAQs, or email Gallery staff at breagallery@gmail.com and we will be happy to assist.
Applying via Jotform
• I am having issues with the forms/payment, what can I do?
First and foremost, unfortunately issues with the Jotform site, the Square payment system, your browser, or your internet connection are not things we are able to control here at the Brea Gallery. However, we are happy to help you figure this out!
To start, we highly recommend submitting your work on a desktop or laptop computer. While Jotform is formatted for mobile devices, artists using their phone or ipad to apply are the more likely to experience issues. As well, the Chrome browser is the most compatible browser to use for all stages of the process.
Lastly, we have found that if you are using these methods and still experiencing difficulties, that clearing your cache (stored data/images) on your browser often clears up any issues you may experience. This can be done by clicking the three dots ‘…’ at the top right of the browser, going to Settings, then Security and Privacy, and selecting ‘Cached images and files’, then selecting Clear Data. Please note that if you also select to clear Cookies, it will probably log you out of most sites.
If you have done all of the above, please feel free to email breagallery@gmail.com or call (714) 990-7731 and Gallery staff will be happy to try to help.
Payment and Processing
• What payment options do you offer/how do I pay?
Our online system uses Square to process payments. You do not need a Square account in order to pay, just a major debit or credit card.
• Will I receive a payment confirmation/receipt?
Yes, Square will send you an email receipt of your payment. As well, once your submission has been completed, you will receive an email containing your submission details. Please review these carefully and notify the gallery of any issues.
• I want to submit multiple entries, do I have to complete separate transactions?
No, you may enter up to 10 individual works on the same submission form, all in one transaction. Separate transactions are only required if you are submitting for both the Juried Exhibition and the Solo Show Opportunity.
• If my work is not accepted into the exhibition, do I get my money back?
Unfortunately no, entry fees are non-refundable. Fees are charged for the service of review and consideration by the jurors for selection into the show.
Submission
• I want to submit work for both the juried show and the solo show opportunity, is this possible?
Yes, you may submit to both categories using the appropriate forms here. However, do not submit the same work in both categories. Bodies of work not accepted for the solo show will be considered to be part of the greater juried show.
• I entered works into last year’s show but was not accepted, can I enter those same works again?
Yes, as long as the work has been made within the last three years and has not been exhibited in the Gallery before.
• Will I receive notification that my entries have been received?
Yes, once your submission has been completed, you will receive an email in which you can review your entry and payment details.
• Can I save my form to complete at a later date?
Unfortunately, no. Please prepare all information and images prior to starting your entry. If you need to make changes to your entry after submission email at breagallery@gmail.com prior to the entry deadline.
• How do I photograph my artwork to submit it?
Photographs taken on most cameras or modern smart phones should be high enough quality to submit for consideration. When taking your pictures, be sure to place your artwork in a well-lit area, photograph the piece straight-on, and make sure that nothing but the piece is visible (no carpet, other artwork on walls, etc.). Images that are blurry, improperly cropped or rotated, etc. can affect the final scoring decision.
• How do I label my images/files? Which types of files are accepted? Is there a size limit?
Images and files must be labeled Last Name, First Name_Title of Work. For example, if you were to submit a jpg image, the file would be titled: Doe, John_Sea Breeze. Accepted file types are jpg, jpeg, png, mp4, zip, wma, mpg, flv, and avi; maximum size per file is 4MB.
• What if my photo/video file is larger than 4MB?
Please resize your photo file down to below the 4MB maximum. Be sure to preview the file to ensure that it still fills your computer screen without pixilation or distortion before uploading.
Video submissions must provide a link to a Vimeo, Youtube, or other site that hosts your video in the Notes portion of the form. Additionally, a still image of your video must be provided in the file upload section of the form.
• What if the Choose File search box does not show up when I click it?
Make sure your popup blocker is turned off so this pop-up window can open for you to select your file.
• What if I am submitting multiple untitled entries?
Please label your works in a way in which we can differentiate your pieces, you may use ascending numbers or letters to designate your titles (i.e. Doe, John_Untitled 1, Doe, John_Untitled 2 etc.)
**If you are not familiar with how to rename files, you simply have to right-click on the file on your computer, then select Rename from the list of options that appears. Then use the above format to name your files.
• What if my piece is 3 dimensional and requires detail images?
Email any necessary detail images to breagallery@gmail.com, and our staff will attach them to your entry. Additional detail images must be labeled accordingly i.e. Doe, John_Artwork 1 Detail or similar.
• Does my work need to be framed?
No, however, 2D work must be properly wired for hanging. D-rings, wire, cleats, magnets, pins, etc. are allowed. Any special hardware required for hanging must be provided by the artist. No sawtooth frames are permitted.
• Is there a size/weight limit for the artwork?
Wall pieces should not exceed 120” in height and should not weigh more than 100lbs. Works that hang from the ceiling should be no more than 20lbs. If you have concerns about the size/weight of your artwork, call the Gallery prior to submitting.
• On the entry forms, it asks for ‘dimensions’, does that mean framed or unframed?
Simply include the dimensions of your piece as it will be displayed in the Gallery. If you are planning to frame it but have not done so yet, it is generally a good rule to add ~4”-8” to the unframed dimensions.
Solo Show Submission
• What exactly is the Solo Show?
The Solo Show is an opportunity for one artist to exhibit a body of their work in a room separate from the rest of the juried exhibition. This opportunity is given to one artist who submits the most successful, cohesive body of work. This solo show is treated as a separate exhibit, meaning that it will have it’s own show announcement and own title wall.
• What happens if my work is not selected for the Solo Show?
If your body of work was not selected for the solo show, each piece will be considered individually to be potentially accepted into the juried exhibition.
• If I submit a body of work for consideration for the Solo Show, will I have to show exactly those pieces or can I switch some out later?
When a body of work is selected for the Solo Show, the Gallery will contact the artist to discuss their work in terms of number, size, and layout. Artists may be asked to include more or less pieces than were originally submitted.
• Where is the Solo Show? How large is the room?
The Solo Show takes place in a separate room inside of the Gallery, please reference the map below for dimensions and general vicinity of the room.
Miscellaneous
• When will I be notified about getting into the show?
All notifications will be sent out via email. All accepted artists will receive an email detailing the next steps of their participation. Please be sure to check your spam/junk folders if you do not see the email. We will also be posting an accepted artist list online.
• Is there any reason that my work could be disqualified after it is accepted?
If your artwork does not match the submitted image in content or quality, or does not adhere to the conditions laid out in the prospectus, the piece(s) will be returned at the artist’s expense.
If you submit work under the Brea Resident or Gallery Member category and you do not in fact live in Brea or are not a member; or if you submit multiple works under this category.
After being selected and accepting the terms, you may not sell, loan, or pull your selected work from the exhibition. Failure to abide by the terms will result in your disqualification and an inability to enter future MICA exhibitions for the next 2 years.
• My artwork requires specific hanging instructions, how do I provide this information? Do I need to provide my own supplies?
You may briefly describe your installation needs in the Notes box on the submission form. If your artwork is accepted you will need to contact the gallery to further discuss installation requirements. Any required hardware beyond standard screws needs to be provided by the artist.
• How tall are the gallery walls/ceilings?
Our walls are 10ft tall with additional movable walls that are 8ft tall. Our ceiling is 20ft high, however, any work that is hung from above will be suspended from our lighting tracks which are 14ft up.
• I don’t know how to price my artwork, will the Gallery help me with that?
The Gallery does not offer pricing assistance but we encourage each artist to consider factors such as cost of supplies, amount of time spent making the work, the selling price of similar works being made, and what amount you would feel satisfied receiving in return for your artwork. Please keep in mind that the Gallery takes a 30% commission on all works sold during the exhibition.
• Can I change the price of my artwork after I have submitted my entries?
You can only change the price of your artwork prior to the entry deadline. Once the deadline has passed, no further edits can be made. Contact the gallery via email at breagallery@gmail.com to do so.
• What if I do not want to sell my work?
If you are not interested in selling your artwork, simply select ‘No’ on the appropriate section of the entry form. Your work will then be listed as NFS (not for sale).
• I will be out to town during the artwork drop off days, what should I do?
If you know you will not be available to bring your work in person during the designated drop off days, you can either ship your work by the shipping deadline, or have a friend, family member, or colleague bring your work to the Gallery for you.
• I cannot pick up my work on the designated day.
If you are unable to pick up your work on the designated day, you must contact the gallery to make alternate arrangements prior to the close of the show. You can always have a friend, family member, or colleague pick up your work for you, however you will still need to notify the gallery. Failure to make arrangements with the gallery will incur a storage fee of $15 per day to be paid by the artist. Work left in the Gallery for more than 30 days is subject to disposal.
Website Troubleshooting
• When I try to go to the website to enter, the page does not come up, what’s wrong?
Please be sure to check that you are entering in the URL correctly: www.breaartgallery.com/entermica. When in doubt, simply click one of our links to navigate you to the website. If that still does not work, call the Gallery at (714) 990-7731 to report the issue so we can fix it immediately.
• One or more of the elements on the submission page are not working, what do I do?
Our first suggestion is to make sure you are using a compatible browser. We have found that Firefox and Chrome work best. Those using Safari tend to have mixed success with the submission process.
If there are elements of the form that are not letting you progress or seem broken, please contact Gallery staff via phone or email to report the issue.
• After I submitted my entry, I realized that that I made a mistake, can I change it?
If you need to make edits to your entry, please notify Gallery Staff via email at breagallery@gmail.com. Entries can only be amended prior to the deadline.
• After I submit my entry, I am not directed to the payment page, what do I do?
Please notify Gallery Staff via email at breagallery@gmail.com or phone at (714) 990-7731 so that we may correct and assist with any issues.
• How do I know my submission was received?
You should receive an email confirmation with your submission details along with a separate email confirming payment from Square. If there are any issues with your submission, staff will contact you via the email you provided on the form. You may also confirm your submission with gallery staff via phone or email.