". . . a brush with nature"

The following are a few things that I have found to be key when navigating the juried show process through the years. They may seem simple, straightforward and very obvious, but keeping them in mind has helped me and, I hope, they will help you, too.

1. Be careful. No two prospectuses are ever alike, so it is of upmost importance to read each one carefully and thoroughly a number of times. Never assume you know what the prospectus is going to say based on what you have seen before. Then, to further clarify things for myself, I usually make a hard copy of the prospectus and highlight all the important details I need to remember.
2. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the submission. I have found that by allowing myself more time I feel less stressed as I go through the process. Starting earlier also allows you to deal with those unforeseen and unexpected challenges that sometimes come up (i.e. technical glitches, illness, family emergencies, etc.)
3. Check and recheck your submission…then check it again! 
4. Always be professional and respectful with everyone. Whether you’re asking questions by email or phone at the beginning of the submission process or interacting with others (show organizers, gallery owners/staff, other artists or patrons, etc.) once your work has been accepted and you’re at the event, it is always important to act in a professional manner. It really does matter to people and you want to be remembered in the most positive way. 
5. Maintain a positive attitude throughout. Along with the excitement of acceptances there will also be rejections, low sales and other things that don’t always go just as planned. But please try to remember that there is something of value to be gained/learned from each experience. You just have to take a breath and find it.