Active Membership in the Associated Artists of Southport (AAS) is a prerequisite to exhibiting work at Franklin Square Gallery (FSG), except for featured shows that are open to the public or for special exhibits by AAS invitation. Artists wishing to join AAS should request an application form from the current Membership Chairperson by e-mail, or by request at the gallery address or telephone listed above. Prospective members are also welcome to attend a monthly meeting. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, alternating afternoon and evening meeting times (see the calendar page for specific dates and times). Annual dues are $30.00 per member.

General Membership in Associated Artists of Southport
A general member is one who has completed an application for general membership and paid annual dues of $30.

The privileges (not requirements) of general membership are:

• Receiving a member’s discount (if offered) on fees for workshops.
• Receiving the member's discounted commission fee on work sold if juried into the AAS July National Exhibition.
• Receiving the member's discounted commission fee on work sold in the AAS Spring Show.
• Entering the Brunswick County Arts Council Show, for which artists receive 100% of a sale.
• Volunteering for gallery assignments. Examples of volunteer work are helping at the sales desk and working with either the painting or pottery exhibit committee to display members’ artwork in the gallery showrooms.
• Voting and participating in AAS membership meetings held the third Monday of each month at Franklin Square Gallery.

General members are on the AAS mailing list and will receive the Association’s bimonthly newsletter. Other mailings to members include prospectuses to all shows produced by AAS and the Brunswick Arts Council and occasional mailings about opportunities for our artists at other venues.

If you are interested in general membership or would like more information, please e-mail the Membership Chairperson.

Exhibiting artists must be at least 18 years of age and must meet the following requirements:

• Members must submit work for review to earn exhibiting privileges.
• New members must serve a three month training/probation period before exhibiting.
• Exhibiting members are required to attend at least three meetings per year.
• Exhibiting members are required to fulfill obligations for service on committees.
• Exhibiting members are required to do volunteer sitting in the gallery 1/2 day per month from March through December.
• The gallery will charge AAS members a 20% commission on work sold. Commissions will be paid monthly for the sale of exhibited items.
• All exhibited paintings must be labeled in accordance with gallery requirements.
• Work on exhibit at any one time is limited to a maximum of:
  
  • 40 works per potter/sculptor
  • 30 shrink wrapped originals per artist
  • 20 shrink wrapped reproductions per artist, not to exceed 2 per image
  • 6 framed 2D artworks, or at the discretion of the 2D exhibit committee
• Display of work delivered for exhibit will be done by the Exhibition Committee. Paintings should be placed in the gallery storage area until the next exhibit change-over. Potters must inform the 3D Exhibition Committee when delivering work for display.
• Artwork may not be removed from an exhibit without the consent of the Exhibition Chairperson unless sold, and must be delivered and picked up on scheduled dates. Pieces that are sold while on exhibit may be removed from the gallery only by the buyer who has made the purchase.
• AAS has exclusive rights to the commission on any piece of artwork submitted for exhibit in special shows or in regular exhibits at FSG.
• All 2D work must be properly framed, securely wired and ready to hang, with no exceptions. All unframed 2D work, including reproductions, must be backed by white foam core and shrink wrapped or snugly enclosed in approved poly bags manufactured for that purpose. Brown or other colored and/or printed cardboard backing is not acceptable.
• The Media Committee or the Exhibition Committee has the right to review and reject works submitted. Work will be examined to assure that it meets acceptable media, framing and presentation qualifications (condition of framing, size restrictions, proper glazing, etc.).
• Any conflicts arising concerning the exhibition of items to be sold, or errors in sale price will be resolved by the AAS Executive Board.
• The utmost care will be given each piece of work submitted for exhibit; however, AAS and/or Exhibition Committee members shall be held harmless for loss or damage from any cause.