Waiting on a “Yes” from the International Scratchboard Society
A little while ago, I hit “submit” on something that feels big for me: my application for active membership in the International Scratchboard Society. Five scratchboard pieces, an application, a fee — and now I’m in the “up to four weeks” waiting zone.
On the practical side, I’ve been focusing on juried shows here in Texas to build experience. But when I saw the call for the society’s next live international show in Tucson, Arizona, it really grabbed me. I lived in Tucson for eight years, and it’s a hub for western art, which is exactly the direction I’m heading with my work.
The catch is that I need to be accepted as an active member in time to even apply for the Tucson show, and they only do one live show a year. So this isn’t just another application; it feels tied to a specific place and moment that matters a lot to me.
The society seems like the preeminent group for scratchboard, and since that’s my specialty right now, being part of it would mean a ton. I’d be pretty crushed if I don’t get in, but I’m trying to stay focused on what I can control: making new work, entering Texas shows, and thinking long-term about eventually aiming for signature and then master member status.
For now, I’m just in that awkward in-between, trying not to refresh my email constantly. If you’ve gone through a similar wait for a show or membership, how did you keep your sanity while you waited for the verdict?
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