Handwork isn’t your typical retail store. Instead of a single buyer deciding what products to stock, we’re a cooperative made up of individual artists working together to co-create the space. After a group based jurying process, an artist accepted to the Co-Op is given space to sell the work that falls within the category and terms they were accepted under.
When an artist submits their application for membership it will go through a two-step process. In the first month, work samples and applications are reviewed by members and then discussed at the monthly member meeting. Following that meeting, members vote on whether or not to invite the artist to make a presentation. If they are invited, the applicants come to a member meeting to present their work. This is an opportunity for discussion and for the applicant to ask questions about the cooperative. For consignors the application is a shorter process. Their application is reviewed by a small committee who decides whether or not to carry them in the store.
Art is subjective in many ways. What speaks to one won’t necessarily be another’s cup of tea. With so much divergence in opinion, how do we determine what shows up on our shelves? Whether you're thinking of sending in an application to Handwork, or you're a customer curious about what goes into our selections, this guide offers a behind-the-scenes view of how we assess work being considered for the store.
Creativity of Design, Originality and Quality
Good Design and Concept + Originality and Technical Competence + Finished and Ready for Sale + Items do not compete directly with another member’s work
Good design is often invisible when it’s done well. In fact, we tend to only notice a design when it fails. Like a city planner that doesn’t account for rush hour traffic, the problem becomes glaringly obvious when tires actually hit the pavement. When assessing good design in the context of both functional and decorative objects, it can be helpful to ask: What problem is this solving? This helps us understand who the end user is, what their needs are, and how they might interact with the object.
Take Lisa Gillis’s painting of Buttermilk Falls as an example. People want to live with beautiful things that elevate their spaces, so this solves a problem we know people have. But this work is addressing other needs as well. Many people visit the Finger Lakes region and come to Handwork because they want to connect with the local area. Being able to purchase a painting of an iconic spot they have visited that was created by a local artist makes for an amazing keepsake. It serves a purpose beyond decoration because it addresses a personal connection to memory and place.
Another aspect that this example helps to explore is originality. While many artists have painted this iconic local spot, Lisa has developed a unique visual language that is unmistakably her own and is demonstrated across the entirety of her work while her unique style and diversity of mediums (oil, gouache, and high-quality prints) speaks to her technical competence in her craft. And finally, we always have to consider how polished the final product is. The back or bottom of the piece should be as beautiful as the front. Lisa has everything accounted for down to the finishing details; like standard sized prints for easy framing, and overall professional presentation which reflects the thoughtful craftsmanship indicating her consideration for her customer and respect for the craft.
We also have to consider how new work fits into the ecosystem of our store. If someone is already offering a similar product, we may ask whether the applicant’s work fills a distinct niche. We have a watercolor artist Bill Mowson and Jennifer Rubacky, a photographer, who both have images of Buttermilk Falls. However, their style and interpretation of the subject matter is different enough that we do not consider these images to be in competition with one another. This protects the diversity of offerings and honors the cooperative spirit of Handwork.
Quality and Material
Evidence of the Human Hand +Appropriate Materials for Use+ Structural Soundness+ The product (and as many components as possible) are produced in the U.S.
Tools have always shaped human society, from the first Paleolithic stone knives to today’s computer-run systems. They help us work more efficiently, and at Handwork we take into consideration the role technology plays in artisan crafts. We’re not expecting our woodworkers to cut down trees with hand saws or level boards using sandpaper alone. The time saved from using certain tools is necessary to make artisan craftsmanship economically viable. However, we aim to avoid the loss of skilled application and creative thought that often accompanies mass production. What sets Handwork apart from a department store is the focus on the human hand which demonstrates personal vision and thoughtful execution. Simply downloading a premade template, cutting it out of wood with a laser cutter and calling it a day isn’t fundamentally different from large-scale manufacturing. This process, even when done by an individual hobbyist, doesn’t meet our definition of “handmade.” We are looking for products with inspired, personal ingenuity, which demonstrates the soul of the craft from design concept to final product.
This standard exists on a flexible continuum across mediums. We recognize that there are practical limitations when producing certain products. Take for example Planetarium Designs, our screen-printing artist who designs, draws, and prints her work on apparel and tea towels. While the base garments are factory-made, she carefully sources high-quality apparel and tea towels using them as a canvas for her own original designs which she screenprints herself using unique color combinations and inks. Handwork’s principles acknowledge the economic reality that it wouldn’t be feasible for her as a printmaker and small business owner to make every garment from scratch. What matters is where the artist’s creativity lives, in her illustrations, color choices, and printing technique. That’s the human ingenuity we value as part of our handmade ethos.
Handwork’s mission is rooted in showcasing work that is locally made. To help with diversity in our offerings with wholesale and consignment, we've broadened to include regional and national vendors as well. But membership decided that at minimum the standard should be that the craftsmanship is completed within the U.S and as much of the components as possible should be sourced from within the U.S. These handmade and “locally” sourced parameters can be a complex topic of discussion as we assess different work. While it is true that Handwork doesn't expect painters to make their own canvases or screen printers to sew from scratch every garment they print on, the distinction lies in where the focal point of the craftsmanship takes place. From the customer’s point of view, they’re not buying a blank canvas or a plain t-shirt. They’re investing in the artful transformation that brings the piece to life. In those cases, the raw component is simply a backdrop for the creative work, not the focal point of the craftsmanship.
Space and Store Needs
Is there a present need for these items in the store? + Should we make room for them anyway?
Lastly, we need to consider that Handwork is a finite space, and one of our goals is to keep the shop feeling fresh and balanced. Sometimes excellent work isn’t accepted simply because we already carry similar items that are too similar, or the store is at capacity in that category. In particular we have limited wall space, so it can be difficult to find room for photographers, painters and printmakers. However, the final section ensures we are still curating our space with intention. Occasionally, we’ll make room for work that fills a special niche or brings a new perspective to our offerings even if space is tight.
In Closing
Our jurying process for accepting new work is about stewardship. We want to foster a thriving, diverse community of artists who bring their whole selves to their work, care about their customers, and who contribute to the evolving story of Handwork. We hope that by opening up this process, applicants can better understand what we’re looking for and why. And for customers, we hope this gives you an even deeper appreciation for the handmade excellence on our shelves.
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To submit an application please follow one of the links below.
Apply for Consignment/Wholesale
Apply for Membership