Dear Artist, January 13, 2024
On behalf of the members and Board, I would like to welcome you to the Roswell Fine Arts Alliance (RFAA). We are delighted you have chosen to join us and hope you will take advantage of the many benefits we offer, as well as get to know other artists in the area. Please note that our organization depends on volunteers. It is also true that the more you put into this organization, the more you will receive.
This Welcome Packet will fill you in on many important details you’ll need to get started with us. Our user-friendly website at www.rfaa.org provides an overview of RFAA and what we do. Click on the Member’s Section to access more detailed information. We are a fine art group showcasing two dimensional, hanging artwork, excluding photography or graphic design. Take some time to browse through the various sections, check out the calendar of events, the various Venues and Shows, the documents section, photo gallery and members’ websites.
Please join the Roswell Fine Arts Alliance group on Facebook. This is an easy and fun way to keep up with the latest happenings and share your work through monthly challenges with others. RFAA also sends out frequent E-blasts, and an E-newsletter, Articulation. Click on links within these to see important information.
It takes a while to become familiar with any organization, but if anything is not clear to you, please speak up. We are all here to help.
Sincerely,
Susan Ritchie, Membership Chair, RFAA
Treehouse4me2@yahoo.com, 770-598-6772

RFAA Art Exhibitions
Opportunities to show and sell your art!
• RFAA members can show their work in multiple ways including through our social media accounts and in person at Venues, Shows and Festivals. Use the calendar on the RFAA website to determine when show change-outs are. Each Venue or Show also has information listed on-line regarding specific requirements for the show, and the documents required to enter.
• To enter, save the prospectus/information page sent via E-blast, fill out the necessary waiver and Show/Venue Entry form, follow the criteria and bring your work on the scheduled delivery date. It’s simple and so much fun!
• Because our Art Center East (ACE) Gallery is staffed by volunteers, you will need to SIGN UP to Gallery Sit, (Open Studio) once for each time you bring art to a venue, or up to four times per year. After that, you may volunteer more if you like. To sign up, use the SignUp Genius link in the Member’s Section of the RFAA website.
• Open Studio is held on Fridays and Saturdays during Open Gallery hours, (Fri. 10:00 - 1:00 and Sat. 10:00 - 4:00). Bring your art supplies when you Gallery Sit and invite fellow members for some creative independent studio time while you help maintain our open gallery. Watch the Calendar for additional Open Studio time during the week when the Gallery is closed.
• All quarterly Gallery Sitters are eligible for free Guerrilla Workshops which are offered once a quarter and are taught by RFAA instructors. Classes cover a variety of genres and are short (three hours) and richly informative. Sign-up is required. See E-newsletter, Facebook and E-blasts for details.
• The RFAA website has a Shop section where you may show and sell your art, as well as a platform to link your website. See the prospectus for the on-line store under the website Shop Venue tab in the Member’s Section.

Download RFAA Opportunities Chart PDF

Scarecrow Competition - The Roswell Women’s Club’s annual October BooYall scarecrow competition supports the Roswell’s Women’s Club education fund. There are no sales, but it is a good publicity opportunity. Co-Chair: TBD

Artists Helping Artists- gentle analysis for improvement of artists’ works that are wonderfully constructive.

Plein Air Painting- As part of RFAA´s partnership with the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), our “Artists in the Wild” plein air group paints at the CNC on Tuesdays during spring and summer months from 10:00 to 1:00.

Butterfly Festival- At the CNC in June, take part in this lovely activity designed to raise awareness of the RFAA and have fun!

Monthly Meetings
❖Winter Schedule (November – March, Third Friday at 10:00am)❖
❖ Summer Schedule (April – October, Third Tuesday at 7:00pm).❖
Come to our monthly meetings to meet other artists and share in the fun. The meetings vary from month to month in activity and focus. Check the calendar and watch for E-blasts and Facebook posts regarding the topics at the ACE Gallery or out in the community. Be on the lookout for the annual Newcomers’ Brunch, Members’ Luncheon and the Holiday Party.

Community Service
These projects support worthy causes in our community, and include:
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Painting for the Drake House, supporting homeless mothers and children
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Supporting the Roswell High School Student Art Show
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Supporting North Fulton Community Charities
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Judging the Youth Day Parade
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Supporting Camp Scholarships

Classes And Workshops
RFAA offers classes and workshops at various times throughout the year. These will be advertised via E-blast, Facebook, E-newsletter or on the website. Registration is generally required, and there may be a member-discounted fee for some classes.
Guerilla workshops are offered free to members who have fulfilled the Gallery Sitting requirement for that quarter. Additionally, watch for learning opportunities provided via the Members’ Meetings, where artists frequently come to demonstrate their work.
Let us know if you are interested in teaching a class or workshop!
We are so happy you are with us- please spread the word about us to others!

A Venue A Venue is a permanent location with which we have an agreement with the establishment/owner to show our works. A 20% commission is taken at each Venue. RFAA and the Venue may split the commission. The Overall Venue Chair is responsible for all the RFAA Venues.

Shows are limited showings at either our ACE or at various locations generally in the Roswell Area. RFAA takes a 20% commission. Usually shows are open to RFAA members or by invitation. Some are juried by a non-RFAA qualified judge.

Festivals RFAA generally participates in some local (City of Roswell) annual festivals.

Entry Form/Registration Form Each show requires the artist to completely fill out this form. Some shows have a special entry form which will come with a prospectus. For most shows a general entry form is available under Forms on the website.

Waiver A universal form for most shows detailing the expectations each artist must accept in order to show with RFAA. This form only needs to be filled out once and remains valid as long as the member has paid annual dues. A few shows require a special waiver, which will come with the Show Prospectus.

Appendix A: SHOWING YOUR ARTWORK WITH RFAA
Please read this through completely. We recommend you save the file and print yourself a copy.
You’ve worked hard on your artwork, and now you are ready to enter some shows
—but you haven’t a clue how to get started. We’re here to help.
STEP 1: CATALOGUE YOUR ART
It’s important to keep track of where your art is and what it looks like. Get in the habit of keeping a list either in a notebook or on the computer. Include: (1) title, (2) medium, (3) size, (4) show and location, and (5) date completed, along with a thumbnail photo for each piece. For each artwork, note where you show it. Example: Misty Morning, Watercolor, 16” x 20,” People, Places & Thingamabobs show, Arts Center Gallery, (thumbnail photo), 2019. Tracking your art is important, as you are welcome to show a piece at different venues and in different shows but not repeat showings at the same location. Most places exhibiting art want current works, so the date is important too.
STEP 2: READ/FOLLOW THE PROSPECTUS
When you enter a show at the Gallery or a venue, you will often see a Prospectus. This is an information sheet with the specific requirements for size, framing, matting and focus for that particular entry. These vary from show to show. A Prospectus is sent to all members by E-blast well before each show. Click on the email link to SAVE IT and PRINT A COPY for reference. Venue specifications are also found on the rfaa.org website under the Venues tab.
STEP 3: PREPARE YOUR ARTWORK
A.
Understanding Types of Support
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Unframed: For gallery wrapped canvas, use at least an inch-wide stretcher
frame for your canvas that is painted on all four sides.
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Cradle board, or wood panels, typically one inch wide and finished on all four sides.
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Framed: Your choice of support—such as canvas, paper, illustration board,
matted or un-matted. Use white/cream mats only for all shows, please.
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Check with venue chairs for any variations that may be permitted.
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B.
Framing
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Select simple, light-weight frames whenever possible. Be very sure that the glass or plexiglass, any mat and frame are securely attached to avoid damage to your work. If the work is not secure, it cannot be accepted.
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The frame should be clean with no major nicks or scratches.
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Ready-made frames are fine. There are also many good local framers and frame companies who our artists use. Just ask one of us!
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Use Wire Hangers only! Secure the wire about one fourth of the way from the
top of the painting, with a little slack to allow the person hanging it to adjust
its tilt. No sawtooth or circular hangers please.
STEP 4: COMPLETE ENTRY PAPERWORK
find these forms on the website under documents: www.rfaa.org
A.
Secure a “Back of Painting Card” to the back of your Artwork You will need to securely attach this card to the back of each artwork, with your PAINTING TITLE, YOUR NAME, MEDIUM, PHONE #, AND PRICE. RFAA will assign an INVENTORY NUMBER when you enter a show/venue.
B.
Complete a “Show/Venue Entry Form” listing all the paintings you are submitting for that Show or Venue
Each time you enter a show or venue you’ll need to fill out a new Form with your contact information and a description of each work you submit (usually up to three or four), including the title, medium, size and price and your contact info. *Hint: Keeping a copy of this form is an easy way to keep up with your entries.
NOTE: A few of our shows require an entry fee: if so, make your check out to RFAA or Roswell Fine Arts Alliance. If your work is not accepted in a juried show, we do not refund your entry fee.
C. Waiver of Liability
Fill this form out once and we will keep it on file for as long as you remain an active member. Please note: A few shows have a unique waiver which will be included with the Prospectus. For those shows you will need to complete the special waiver. The Waiver describes RFAA’s responsibility in the care of your artwork, asks permission to use photos of you and your art for publicity and programs, and informs you of when/how your artwork will be released to you from our care. PLEASE READ THE WAIVER CAREFULLY.
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STEP 5: SELECT SHOWS AND VENUES
YOUR BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION: www.rfaa.org, Facebook and E-blasts.
You’ll find listings of major shows as well as a list of each of our venues and their contact person. You can PRINT THE CHANGE OUT CALENDAR for each year. Be sure to arrange pick up of your artwork on the designated date and time, or contact Venue Chair.
STEP 6: SIGN UP TO GALLERY SIT
Two people must officially staff the Gallery during open hours. You are welcome to bring a friend or significant other to paint or just be with you. WiFi is available at the Gallery and the password is located in the office. There is a Square Reader and a folder with instructions on how to record sales during this time. Instructions for opening and closing the Gallery are posted on the wall in the office.
Gallery Hours: Fridays 10AM – 1PM and Saturdays 10AM to 1PM and 1:00PM – 4PM.
ABOUT OPENING RECEPTIONS
Many of our shows have Opening Receptions, where we offer beverages and appetizers and give you and other guests a chance to view the whole show. Even if you don’t enter every show, you can support those who do by:
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Telling your friends/family/colleagues/neighbors
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Offering to help with setup or take down
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Preparing an appetizer (sweet or savory) to share
Receptions are always fun and it’s a great way to get to know other members better.
A NOTE on Juried Shows
RFAA offers several opportunities to enter shows that are judged by a qualified art professional. If you don’t win Best in Show, don’t be discouraged. There will always be another opportunity!
ABOUT COPYRIGHT. RFAA, like most other art organizations, expects that any artwork you enter in our shows will be totally original. Photos that you use as a reference for a juried art show must be taken by you, with the exception of the annual Double Vision juried show. Reference photos for that show are provided by the Georgia Nature Photographers Association.
For non-juried shows, you may utilize reference photos for your paintings provided they are certified copyright-free. Be sure that photos you take from the web meet these criteria. You may also use another’s photograph for your painting with their written permission.

General Questions about RFAA, volunteering, suggesting new venues, new ideas:

Lucy Letchford letchfordlucy@gmail.com

Questions about RFAA finances, membership application, dues or payments:
Jan Buckley janal2sail@gmail.com

Questions about classes, workshops, shows at the Gallery or other Venues:
Sherry Hardage sherry.hardage@gmail.com

Questions about our E-newsletter, or to submit news articles and event photos:
Leslee Sorensen snailtaco@yahoo.com

Questions about SignUp Genius and Gallery Sitting:
Yulia Jeltuhin yulia.jeltuhin@gmail.com

Questions about Facebook:
Sara Hendrix sarahendrix99@gmail.com
Trish Johnston trishjohnston44@att.net

Questions about the RFAA website, RFAA Shop, Instagram accounts, personal websites:
Patty DelValle patty@pattydart.com

Questions about the RFAA Pinterest account and how to submit your photos:
Carole Poole carolepoolegallery@gmail.com

Questions about the RFAA Mentor-Mentee Program:
Susan Ritchie treehouse4me2@yahoo.com

Click to download the “Who To Ask What” PDF

Click here to download the full Welcome Packet as a PDF