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PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES


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PORTFOLIO SUMMISIONS

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A portfolio folder may be purchased at an art supply store or constructed by hand in the following manner:

  • Cardboard, chipboard or matboard may be used for the sides.

  • Tape is used for the hinge along one edge.

  • Attach shoestring or ribbon ties on the open edges to contain the work. (Drill or punch hole, insert half shoestring, glue end down flat.)

  • Print your name, address, and school name on the outside.

  • The size of the portfolio should be just large enough to protect the contents.

Photographs, slides or digital images should document large or bulky works like sculpture.

  • Take good photographs of your work that are well done and easy to understand. You may submit your entire portfolio as slides, photographs or digital images but the rules for professionalism still apply. Put your photographs or slides in a binder and label them clearly.

Include In Your Portfolio:

  • Include 10 to 20 pieces of your best work in any media.

  • Don’t include old work; your current work is what we like to see.

  • Include as many drawings from direct observation as possible.

  • Don’t include work copied from other images like album covers or portraits of celebrities.

  • Try to include works in different materials, compostions or subject matter. Some works in color are good to have, but do not include work done in an unfamiliar medium. (Example: your first watercolor painting)

  • Don’t include works that are trite like Vikings or unicorns or cartoons.

  • Include only your best work. Things that are not as good should be left out because they will affect the quality of your portfolio. It is better to have a few high quality works than a multitude of mixed quality.

  • Art works do not have to be matted. Neatly matted works make a better presentation; poorly cut or grubby mats present an unfavorable impression of the work.

  • Every item must be labeled with name and address.

  • If some works are too large to fit into a portfolio folder, and the applicant does not wish to submit color slides of them, the original works may be submitted alongside the portfolio folder and must be labeled clearly.

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation.