Help - How to Join Art Avenue

Art Avenue's mission is to help increase exposure to all Canadian visual artists by showcasing their exceptional art to the world. This guide will provide you with all the details on how to join Art Avenue to display your art on Canada's most exciting on-line gallery.

For your reference, feel free to print this page. If you need assistance, please contact us.

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1. Before You Apply
2. Applying for Membership
3. Sending Us Images of Your Art
4. Tips for Getting the Best Photographs of Your Artwork
5. After You Apply
6. Terms and Conditions

Before You Apply

To join Art Avenue, you must be an artist living in Canada. Having an e-mail address is strongly recommended. If you are under 18 years of age, you must get permission from your parent or guardian to apply.

Before you apply, determine which pieces of your art you will want displayed on Art Avenue. Select one of our packages below that accommodates your needs and budget. All our packages include free scanning of photographs. Feel free to browse Art Avenue to view other artists web sites for ideas.

To apply, you will need to supply us with your name, contact information, and images of your art with their descriptions. You may also send us an optional photograph of yourself for your web site.

If you wish to have your web site in Canada's both official languages, simply complete the French options on your application. Please note that if your web site is English only, it will still be accessible from the French section of Art Avenue. We recommend that you fill out the French options to increase the number of people that will be able to read your web site and learn about your art.

We do not accept any art with content that is considered illegal by Canadian law.

Although we are always here to help you, having basic computer skills would be beneficial in getting the most out of your Art Avenue membership. Knowing how to use a computer, a World Wide Web browser (such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer), and e-mail can lead you to a path of exciting new possibilities.

Please note that the information we gather from your application is strictly confidential. However, be aware that the information on your web site is available to the public.

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Applying for Membership

To apply for membership, you will need to complete two forms: ARTAVE1E and ARTAVE2E. These forms are available in WordPerfect, Word, Rich Text Format, and plain text formats.

To get your application forms, either download them from the Join section of Art Avenue or simply contact us.

First, complete form ARTAVE1E (Membership Application). On this form, we will ask for your contact information and biography. Payment options are also included on this form.

Second, complete form ARTAVE2E (Art Description). Please refer to Sending Us Images of Your Art for details on completing and sending in this form.

Finally, e-mail us your application at members@artavenue.ca or print and mail your application to:

Art Avenue
c/o Technomages
2-263 St. Andrew Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5G8

You can pay for your membership by certified cheque, money order, or VISA.

Once your payment, application forms, and your images or your art have been received, your art will be available on Art Avenue within 5 business days. Be aware that any information on your application that is unclear will cause delays.

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Sending Us Images of Your Art

You can send us images of your art by mail or e-mail. To let the world know about your art, you must complete the Art Description form ARTAVE2E. On this form we will ask for copyright information and descriptions of your art.

The following is a list of information we will ask about your art. Supply as much information that makes sense for your art. Keep your answers short and to the point. The information you provide here will allow anyone using Art Avenue to search for your art by style, media, subject matter, and so on.

1. Name or Title of Your Art
   If no name is specified, it will be called "Untitled".

2. Year Art Created
   This will be used for the copyright year located in the border of the image (see example image below). If no year is given, we will use the current year.

3. Description
   Write one or two short paragraphs describing your art. You may include items such as meaning, inspiration, the story behind the art, or how many prints are available.

4. Art Category
   Name one category for your piece of art. Examples: Painting, Drawing, Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Pottery, Craft

5. Media or Medium
   What media or medium was used to make your art? Examples: Ceramic, Gouache on Paper, Granite, JPEG, Oak, Oil on Canvas

6. Subject Matter
   List people, places, or objects. Example: CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario

7. Art Style
   Name one style that best describes your art. Examples: Abstract, Cubism, Impressionism, Portrait, Surrealism, Time-Lapse

8. Mood
   Name one mood (adjective) that best describes your art. Examples: Majestic, Dark, Tranquil, Warm

9. Tools
   List any tools you have used to create your art. Examples: Air Brush, Carving Knife, Camel Hair Paint Brush, Nikkon Camera

10. Cost
    If your art is for sale, how much does it cost? Also indicate if it's already sold. List the price in Canadian funds only. A cost of $0.00 indicates that the price is not available.

11. Dimensions
    Specify the width, height, depth, and weight for your art. Also specify the unit of measurement in centimeter, meter, inches, feet, kilograms, pounds, or pixels.

    Due to conversions between metric and imperial systems, all dimensions and weights will be approximate. For your reference, we store all dimensions and weight information to the nearest millimeter and gram respectively.

Completing this form may take several hours. Once you have the form (see Applying for Membership) you can fill it out at your leisure without wasting any of your Internet time. You can also save the form and re-open it later to continue.

You may also send us just a few images now and send us others at any time during the year. You can do this by going to the Members area. For more information on the members area, visit the help section on Member Services. Please note that we do not provide any credit for images not used for the full year.

You also have the option of sending us a photograph of yourself to put on your web site. This photograph will be converted to a black and white image and will be included with your biography.

Please note that your images will be scaled to meet the size restrictions of Art Avenue. The longest side (width or height) of any image will be 375 pixels (see example below). Images are stored in either a JPEG or GIF computer image file format and will have a black and white border.

Thumbnail icons are 81 by 81 pixels (large) or 50 by 50 pixels (small) including a black and white border.

The image size restrictions on Art Avenue are for your protection. It is possible for someone to steal an image from the Internet and make money by producing quality prints. The image sizes on Art Avenue are meant to give enough detail of your art without being usable in terms of making prints from them. If someone is interested in your art, they should contact you for it.

Sending Images by Mail

If you want us to scan (copy images into the computer) images of your art (and a photograph of yourself if you choose), mail them to Art Avenue. Each image must be described in ARTAVE2E.

On the back of each image, clearly write its title and number as indicated in the form ARTAVE2E. If the art is abstract, also indicate which end is the top.

If you need to get professional photographs of your art done, make certain the colours on the photographs are accurate. We prefer photographs that are 4 by 6 inches. We do not accept any images that are larger than 8.5 by 11 inches.

We strongly recommend mailing your images in a proper envelope available at your local postal outlet. Also clearly write "DO NOT BEND" on each side of the envelope.

If you want your photographs back, you must send us a self addressed stamped envelope. Otherwise, the photographs will be destroyed.

You can then print the form and mail it with your images to:

Art Avenue
c/o Technomages
2-263 St. Andrew Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5G8

Sending Images by E-mail

If you have access to a scanner, you can scan pictures of your art (and your photograph if you choose) and e-mail them with form ARTAVE2E to members@artavenue.ca.

Make certain the image quality is good. Images can be in either GIF, JPEG, BMP, or IFF computer image file formats. The longest side (width or height) of each image must be in the range of 400 to 800 pixels. Name each file by its title. These rules apply for your photograph too.

Please send only one image as an attachment (paper clip) per e-mail. Include the title of the image and your first and last name in each e-mail. If you have 5 images to send us, then you will need to send 5 separate e-mails.

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Tips for Getting the Best Photographs of Your Artwork

1. Taking Straight Photographs

When you are taking photographs of your artwork, make sure the art is level and that the camera is pointing straight at it. A good way to know if the camera and the artwork are level is to zoom out slightly so that you can see the frame (if there is one). Look carefully to see if the lines are straight. Using a tripod with your camera would be ideal.

2. Eliminating Shadows

To eliminate shadows on sculptures, add more light sources. For artwork in frames, keep an eye on the shadow the frame casts. If it falls on the artwork, either move the art or the light source.

3. Lighting

Whenever possible, try to use bright sunlight as it offers the best colour. Florescent lighting adds a slightly blue tint to photographs, which throws the colours off.

4. Film

Whenever possible, use "slow" film (100 ASA or slower). The grain in low speed film is smaller and therefore makes a nicer photograph.

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After You Apply

Once your application has been processed, we will send you a receipt. You will get your own web address in the form of http://www.artavenue.ca/your-name/ to view your art on the Internet. We recommend that you bookmark or add your web address to your list of favorites.

We will also send you a login name and password so that you can enter your members section. By clicking on Members from the main menu of Art Avenue, you will be able to access a variety of services and view your account information.

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Terms and Conditions

By applying to Art Avenue, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

This agreement represents the complete agreement and understanding between Technomages (owner of the Art Avenue Web site) and you, the Client.

1. Agreement Terms

Technomages is offering a web site connected on the Internet to the Client. Technomages remains the sole owner of the Internet connection, and the web site code. It is understood that by requesting an account with the Art Avenue web site, the Client agrees to abide by this agreement. This agreement becomes effective when the Client's account is activated.

2. Client Obligations

In consideration for the privilege of using Technomages' web site and in consideration for having access to the information contained on it, the Client hereby releases Technomages, from any and all claims of any nature arising from the use, or inability to use, the Art Avenue web site.

The Client will not seek to gain unauthorized access to the resources of the web site, or compromise the privacy of users.

The Client will not divulge his/her login password as long as it resides on Technomages Art Avenue web site.

The Client will grant Technomages permission to use their artwork for the purpose of promoting the web site to the general public.

3. Technomages Rights

Technomages may deny access to any Client who does not provide accurate personal information.

Technomages reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of this service agreement.

Technomages reserves the right to revoke access for any abusive conduct or fraudulent use of the web site.

Technomages does not warrant that the web site will be error free or uninterrupted, nor shall Technomages be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages (including lost data, information, or profits) sustained or incurred in connection with the use of, operation of, or inability to use the web site.

Technomages recognizes that all works of art submitted by the Client are copyrighted by the Client.

4. Fees, Invoicing, Payment

The Client will submit payment with their application, based on their choice of account. Technomages will accept payment made by certified cheque, money order, or VISA.

5. Applicable Laws

This agreement shall be governed by and construed according to the laws in force in the province of Ontario.

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Art Avenue � is a registered trademark of Darner media.
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