"Notes from the Hanging Committee on Framing for a T.A.G. show:  

Long-time members have talked about this subject until they're blue in the face for the past 20 years that I know about:  I.e., PROPER FRAMING OF THE ART.  The nice people who have graced our Hanging Committees over the years for all shows, both juried and regular shows, have continued to bend over backwards for those who enter their beautiful art work unsuitably framed.  

When you have studied art for myriads of hours, plus put in many hours labor on the piece at hand; you've spruced it up, you've named it, you've considered what it might be worth to a prospective buyer, you've bought a frame for it, and you're now entering it into a show....you deserve to have others appreciate it!  So why would you not spend a little time framing it properly?  Topeka Art Guild has always insisted on NO SAWTOOTH hangers--because the picture will not hang straight--and this goes for any other type of loops and hooks often found on cheap backings on cheap frames.  Reminders continually are published, both in TAG Newsletters and in the Prospectus, to no avail.  As head of the Hanging Committee, and a committee member for many years, I can say that in EVERY SHOW, at least one person has ignored this requirement. Sometimes more time is spent just fixing the problem. Attempts are made to reach the artist so they can remedy the situation. Sometimes it is gingerly hung anyway, to avoid hurting the artist's feelings, and crossing the fingers that it won't fall off the wall in 2 months' time!!  But sometimes it's so bad that it is rejected.  This is sad for the individual who will not see their beloved work on the wall nor be receiving their entry fee back!

To reassure you:  It's not always necessary to have your work professionally framed.  After all, we are a Guild of artists who come from all backgrounds and with varying degrees of art training and proficiency.  Not everyone can afford professional framing, but attention to detail IS necessary.  It is possible to find good frames at thrift stores.  Take a tape measure with you to a store.  It's often wise to buy a frame FIRST, and THEN make your artwork come out to that size, considering mats if needed; because watercolor paper, in particular, is often a non-standard size and finding a ready-made frame may be difficult or impossible, making expensive custom framing necessary.  So think ahead!  Scrutinize the frames before buying.  Try to match a color with something in the picture, or at least match the style of the frame with the style of the art.  If a frame is plastic, consider whether you will be able to screw in the D-rings.  Wood is best.  And, when attaching your D-rings, it helps to drill a pilot hole, just a tiny bit smaller than the screw, to prevent the wood from splitting.  Drill those holes above the one-third mark of the vertical distance, and pull the wire tight between the rings before twisting--this allows it to sit closely to the wall and not lean downwards.

And, for heaven's sake, make sure your frame is CLEAN when entering a show.  Customers won't buy a dirty frame; and you should not expect the Hanging Committee to dust it off for you."