Become an MKD Artist
Showcase Your Art at the Beaufort Historic Site
The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery has maintained a reputation for fine quality arts and crafts for many years. Artists accepted into the gallery join a community of local and regional talent shown in one of the oldest buildings on the Beaufort Historic Site.
The following agreements and procedures apply to all current and prospective artists. Please read carefully before submitting work for consideration.
Last updated January 2025.
Membership Requirement
Every Mattie King Davis Art Gallery artist must hold a current membership with the Beaufort Historical Association at the Contributor level ($35) or higher.
Jury Process
All new artists must be juried into the gallery. Existing artists introducing a new medium must also go through the jury process. For example, an existing painter submitting clay or photography will need to be juried for that medium separately.
Jury submissions are accepted on a quarterly schedule. Meetings are held on the third Monday of January, April, July, and October. Work must be delivered to the gallery at least one day before the scheduled jury meeting. Walk-in jury submissions are not accepted.
Please submit three to five pieces that demonstrate the variety and quality of your work. Artists will be notified of acceptance after the jury review.
Artwork Requirements
Originality All artwork must be original. The gallery does not accept reproductions, prints, limited-edition prints, canvas-wrapped prints, giclées, or craft kit items. Only original fine crafts are permitted.
Display Standards
Canvases must be greater than 1 inch deep. If the canvas is 7/8 inch or thinner, it must be framed. The edges of unframed canvases must be painted.
Framed work must have clean, sturdy frames and glass. Use metal or plastic-coated metal wire for hanging. Monofilament and sawtooth hangers are not accepted.
Matted art must be enclosed in shrinkwrap or acetate sleeves.
Notecards: single cards must be in fitted sleeves, not sandwich bags. Multiple packs must be in clear boxes or fitted sleeves.
Three-dimensional artwork is limited by available space. The number of pieces permitted will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Art Gallery Committee.
Display Limits
Each artist is limited to three framed pieces and five matted pieces or unframed boards. These limits may be lower for pieces exceeding 36 inches on one side.
Artists are expected to replace unsold work every few months with new pieces of consistent quality. If quality or consistency falls below previous standards, the committee reserves the right to ask the artist to replace the work.
Items displayed for over one year must be removed, or they become property of the gallery and may be used as donations for BHA auctions and fundraisers.
The gallery’s hanging committee hangs all accepted work. Artists do not hang their own pieces.
The gallery reserves the right to temporarily store artwork until space becomes available.
Commission
The standard commission rate is 35%. Artists who volunteer and complete 12 gallery shifts per year receive a discounted rate of 25%.
Commission is calculated as follows: selling price multiplied by 65% (standard) or 75% (volunteer discount) equals payment to the artist.
It is each artist’s responsibility to contact the gallery to schedule shifts in order to meet the volunteer requirement.
Volunteering
The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery runs entirely on volunteers. All artists are encouraged to volunteer to help keep the gallery open six days a week throughout the year. Shifts run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Training is provided.
Liability
All submitted work is treated with care. The Mattie King Davis Art Gallery and the Beaufort Historical Association are not responsible for theft, breakage, or other damage to artwork.
Submit Your Work for Consideration
Jury submissions open quarterly. If you are ready to submit or have questions about the process, get in touch with the gallery before the next scheduled jury date.