Touchstone Gallery maintains an active membership of 30 to 35 artists, and is always screening for new additions.  We are looking for artists with a developed body of work as well as those fresh out of art school, looking for an established gallery to begin their careers and everyone in between.  We take part in an active and diverse artistic community in downtown Washington D.C. , minutes from the National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art , numerous galleries, theaters, and cultural centers.

We encourage artistic and career growth in our members and have a reputation for exhibiting contemporary work of high quality, vision and innovation. As member/owners of a co-op, Touchstone artists enjoy the right to guide gallery policies and control their exhibitions. The support and camaraderie of the membership is an additional benefit.

JURYING PROCEDURES

Touchstone Gallery juries artwork during selected membership meetings, held throughout the year, typically on the 4th Wednesday of each month. The jury is composed of all active Touchstone members in attendance. A 2/3 majority vote is required for acceptance.
If you would like to apply for membership, please call or visit the gallery Wednesday through Sunday and ask the director to schedule you for the next jurying session. On the day of jurying (every 4th Wednesday of the month), between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., deliver to the gallery:

1) 6 to 8 original works (at least one of which must be framed or presented as you would exhibit it in the gallery)
2) 10-20 slides of additional work and a reference list
3) five copies of your resume and other items you wish to include, such as an artist statement, a brochure or reviews.
Please label the original art and slides. Include title, medium and retail price of each work and your name and telephone number. If you are unable to deliver work on the day of jurying, ask the director about making other arrangements.
The gallery's membership chairperson will call after the meeting to inform you of the jury's decision. If you are voted into the gallery, you may become a Full or Show Member on the first day of the following month, if a vacancy is available. The director will arrange a meeting with you at a mutually agreeable time, to complete business arrangements and orient you to the gallery's operation. If a membership vacancy is not available, you may become a Member Elect and your name will be added to a waiting list.

Please Note:
To give yourself the best chance for a successful jurying, select your artwork as if you were preparing a solo exhibition. All of the work you submit (both original pieces and slides) should demonstrate a consistent and well developed style. Avoid submitting an inconsistent body of work, or work from different periods of your artistic development.


MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

There will be a $100.00 initiation fee for all new members.

FULL MEMBERSHIP

Benefits:
Solo show after a minimum of 24 months membership. Solo show every other year thereafter.
At least one work in main gallery group shows.
At least one work in the group gallery at all times.
Bin space for storage of additional pieces. These pieces are presented to potential buyers who show interest in a particular artist.
Participation in other exhibition opportunities arranged by the gallery (i.e., exchange shows, theme shows, etc.).
Promotional notebook in the Gallery.
Representation on gallery web site.
Access to computer workstation with Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Publisher and other software, flatbed and slide/film scanners, Zip and DVD drives and CD burner.
Vote on matters before the membership.
Responsibilities:
Membership dues of $149 per month.
40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
Gallery sitting one day a month.
Serving on one of the three gallery committees.
Attendance at monthly meetings.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Benefits:
Same as Full membership, but no solo show.

Responsibilities:
Membership dues of $116 per month.
40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
Gallery sitting one day a month.
Serving on one of the three gallery committees.
Attendance at monthly meetings.

SHOW MEMBERSHIP

Benefits:
Same as full membership.
Artist does not participate on committees nor as a gallery sitter.

Responsibilities:
Membership dues of $237 per month.
40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.

YOUNG ARTIST MEMBERSHIP

Benefits:
Same as Associate Membership.
 
Responsibilities:
Available for students 18-30 years of age.
50% off Membership dues for 1 full year.
40% commission on work sold by the gallery.
25% commission on work sold due to gallery referral.
Gallery sitting one day a month.
Serving on one of the three gallery committees.
Attendance at monthly meetings.


Please feel free to contact gallery director if you would like to apply or have any questions.