Can I buy art materials/ books/ DVDs at the conference?

Yes! The Portrait Society has a book table, where you can purchase books, DVDs and other instructional materials. A portion of the proceeds are used to continue hosting Portrait Society educational events, including The Art of the Portrait Conference and Portrait Academies. Additionally, top manufacturers and vendors from around the country offer products at discounted rates throughout the weekend. Our past 2012 vendors included:

A Stroke of Genius Baumgaertner Portraits ColorFinGeneral Pencil Company HK Holbein Artist Materials Jack Richeson & Co. Inc. Martin/ F. Weber Massage by Marsi Natural Pigments New Wave Art Portrait Society-Prize DrawingRosemary & Co. Signilar Art Video Collection Silver Brush Limited Studio Incamminati Turtlewood Palettes

What will be the hours of the Exhibit and Sales Room?

Thursday, April 25

4:00pm – 7:00pm

Friday, April 26

10:30am-6:00pm

Saturday, April 27

9:30am – 4:00pm

Sunday, April 28

8:00am – 12:30pm

Will the vendors and manufacturers be offering discounts?

Yes. Each vendor determines their product pricing at the conference, and many offer discounted prices from their standard retail rates.

Do you sell DVDs of the demos and classes?

The selected demonstration DVDs from the 2009, 2010 and 2011 conferences, will be offered at the book table with DVDs and books by many of our faculty. The Portrait Society will soon offer another select group of demonstrations on DVD following the 2013 conference.

Can I buy books by the artists doing book signings at the conference?

Yes. All artists participating in the book signings have books available for sale at the Book Table, and a portion of the proceeds go toward Portrait Society educational events, like The Art of the Portrait Conference and Portrait Academies.

After the close of the 2013 conference on Sunday, attendees have the option to go the the High Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.

How much are Bus Trip tickets?

High Museum Bus tickets are $30 each. The $30 fee covers the bus ride to and from the museum as well as admission into the museum.

Exactly when do the buses leave and return?

The bus will return to the Grand Hyatt Atlanta at around 5:30pm. We do everything we can to maintain a tight schedule on the bus trips; however, if you have concerns, please check your transportation arrangements do not conflict with bus travel times.

If I attend one of the Sunday Bus Trips, what will I do about lunch?

The conference hotel offers the option to pre-purchase boxed lunches for those attending the Sunday bus trip. Boxed lunch orders are taken on site, at a table near the Cashier station. Please contact the Portrait Society office or the Registration desk with special dietary concerns. Lunches will be distributed as attendees load the buses. Alternately, the museum cafés generally offer light lunch and snack options.

What if I need to cancel?

If your plans change, please notify the Portrait Society in writing before February 15, 2013 to receive a full refund. After February 15, 2013, you will receive an educational credit for your tuition less the $100 registration deposit. This educational credit may be applied to future conference or membership dues. Because of reservation requirements, banquet & bus tickets are non-refundable.

ATTENTION: If you do need to cancel, please contact the Portrait Society office at 850-878-9996 before you cancel your hotel room.

Does the tuition include all the classes?

The tuition covers everything, except the following ticketed events, which are purchased separately:

Gala BanquetSunday Bus Trips

Which classes and events require pre-reservation?

The following events require pre-registration:

All Friday Breakout SessionsSaturday morning Cecilia Beaux Forum Meeting Saturday Lunch & LearnGala BanquetSunday Bus Trips

These events consistently fill well in advance of the conference. Register as early as possible to better ensure you will be able to attend the events you wish.

I only want to go to one class/ event; do I have to pay the full tuition?

We offer day rates for those interested in particular events. To attend any class or event, you must have a name badge, or the door monitor will not let you in. Contact the Portrait Society office with questions about Day Rates and reserving space in particular classes, toll-free at 1-877-772-4321.

Will I be able to get into the classes I want?

The earlier you register the better chance you will have of getting into a particular event. Early registrants are offered first choice of classes.

I am registered for the drawing workshop. What materials do I need?

You may bring what you feel most comfortable using, excepting charcoal per the hotel management.

How is the International Portrait Competition related to the conference?

The International Portrait Competition is hosted by the Portrait Society of America. Exhibition and judging of the top placing works are held at the conference. Winners are recognized at the Gala Banquet on Saturday evening.

Do I have to be signed up for the conference to enter the competition?

No, but if you place in the top 15 works, you must be on site at the conference with your artwork to be eligible for top prizes.

When is the deadline to enter the International Portrait Competition?

Entry is online only, the deadline to enter your work online is March 4, 2013.

Do you accept entries on slides or CDs?

We are only accepting entries online. We are not accepting slides or CDs. If you are unable to submit online, please email us at info@portraitsociety.org regarding alternate options.

How many entries can I submit?

You may submit up to three unique artworks for consideration. Please only submit one image of each entry, except in the case of sculpture.

For sculpture entries, we will accept up to three views per artwork. If you are submitting a sculptural work, please contact the Portrait Society office at 850.878.9996 to receive a link for uploading additional views.

What are the file size requirements for digital entries?

Files should be TIFF or JPEG format and no larger than 3 MB each. The images should be 300 dpi.

Is the hotel stay included in the price? Can I get a discount on my hotel room?

The room rate is not included in your tuition, but we are offering special room rates through the Grand Hyatt Atlanta ($139 SNGL, $145 DBL) until April 3, 2013 or the room block fills, whichever occurs first. You can check availability or reserve rooms online on The Art of the Portrait event page. You can also reserve rooms at the discounted rate by calling toll-free, 1-800-633-7313, and mentioning you are attending the Portrait Society event.

I want to share a room, but I don't know anyone else who is attending. How can I find a roommate for the conference?

If you are interested in sharing a room with another conference attendee, contact the Portrait Society office with your arrival and departure dates, any special rooming requirements and contact info. We will call or email you if another attendee with similar rooming dates and requirements is looking to share a room. You will be responsible for making arrangements and hotel reservations with this person.

Will I have the opportunity to network?

Certainly. With over 850 artists, agents, art materials manufacturers and gallery representatives in attendance, the conference provides ample opportunity for networking. Displaying your portfolio in the Exhibit Room and socializing with other attendees are excellent ways to network at the conference. Additionally, contact your State Ambassador to see if there are plans for an event on site with members from your area.

Will there be agents or gallery representatives there?

Agents and gallery representatives will be on site as attendees and guest faculty at the portfolio review tables.

How can I meet other artists from my state or region?

Contact your State Ambassador to see if any events or informal gatherings are being planned for the conference.

I want to show my work at the conference. Can I bring my portfolio?

We welcome you to bring your portfolio to share at the portfolio tables in the Exhibit Room and the one-on-one critiques offered during lunch hours in the Grand Ballroom Foyer on the first floor. Other than the invited top 15 artworks from the International Portrait Competition and invited works from the Members Showcase Competition, the display of original artwork at the conference is prohibited.

Can I pay at the door?

Paying at the door is an option; however, most Breakout Sessions and other ticketed events are expected to fill by the date of the conference. We recommend registering as early as possible to guarantee you are able to get the classes and tickets to events which you want.

Do you offer day rates?

We do offer a day rate of $150. You are welcomed to pre-register for one day only by contacting the Portrait Society office, toll-free at 1-877-772-4321 with your Visa or MasterCard. Guests to the Gala Banquet are required to have a purchased Banquet ticket, but need not pay an additional day rate to attend.

Do I have to be a member to attend the conference?

No, you do not have to be a member; however we encourage all non-members who register, to sign up for membership ($70) because upon registering, they will receive the special member rate ($425), which totals the same amount if one pays for the non-member rate alone ($495). Your contribution of membership helps us to provide The Art of the Portrait Journal quarterly, an annual subscription to the educational publication International Artist Magazine, and access to educational opportunities like the Artist to Artist Critique Program, the Cecilia Beaux Forum and the Members Showcase Competition for all our members.

Do you need volunteers?

Volunteers are the backbone of our event and make the conference experience more enjoyable for everyone. As a way of thanking volunteers who offer 1.5 days of the 4-day event helping, we offer free conference tuition. Volunteering is often as simple as helping at the Book Table, watching the portrait room or being a Breakout Session door monitor, and it's an excellent way to meet and network with other attendees. Contact Carolyn at the Portrait Society office, toll-free at 1-877-772-4321, for more information on volunteering.

Does the tuition include all the classes?

The tuition covers everything, except the following ticketed events, which are purchased separately:

Gala BanquetBus Trip on Sunday

Which classes and events require pre-reservation?

The following events require pre-registration:

Friday Breakout SessionsSaturday Lunch and LearnGala BanquetBus Trip on Sunday

These events consistently fill well in advance of the conference. Register as early as possible to better ensure you will be able to attend the events you wish.

What is the deadline for placing a deposit on the tuition?

The last day to place the $100 deposit is February 1, 2013. After this date, you must pay in full to register for the conference.

After October 1, 2012, placing a deposit will not allow you to take advantage of early discount rates.

When is the deadline to register for the conference?

We will take registrations up to and on site at the event, space allowing; however, we cannot guarantee you will be able to attend the ticketed events you wish, as most fill well in advance of the conference.

Can I register online?

You can now register online for the conference! You can pay with a credit card or PayPal account via the Portrait Society website. We will contact you as the conference approaches to select your Breakout Session classes. Early registrants are offered first choice of classes.

I only want to go to one class/ event; do I have to pay the full tuition?

We offer day rates for those interested in particular events. To attend any class or event, you must have a name badge, or the door monitor will not let you in. Contact the Portrait Society office with questions about Day Rates and reserving space in particular classes, toll-free at 1-877-772-4321.

Can I reserve my space without paying in full?

We are taking deposits up to February 1, 2013. You must at least place a deposit to reserve your space.

Will I be able to get into the classes I want?

The earlier you register the better chance you will have of getting into a particular event. Early registrants are offered first choice of classes.

I am registered for the drawing workshop. What materials do I need?

You may bring what you feel most comfortable using, excepting charcoal per the hotel management.

What if I need to cancel?

If your plans change, please notify the Portrait Society in writing before February 15, 2013 to receive a full refund. After February 15, 2013, you will receive an educational credit for your tuition less the $100 registration deposit.

When does the conference begin?

The conference kicks off at 4:00 pm, Thursday April 25, 2013 with packet pick-up, the FaceOff demonstration and competition and Opening Night for Exhibitors and Vendors.

Where and when should I sign in?

Your first stop should be namebadge pick-up, taking place in the Grand Ballroom foyer on the first floor. Your event tickets will be in the back of your name badge. Any corrections can be made at the Registration counter.

Where can I find a full schedule?

Before the Conference - Prior to the conference, schedules will be emailed to all Portrait Society members and past conference attendees. The full agenda is also available in PDF format on the website. You may also receive a conference agenda brochure by calling the Portrait Society, toll-free, at 1-877-772-4321.

At the Conference - Once you are on-site, a full schedule will be give to you at namebadge pick up. As well, the full agenda will be posted on signs in the foyer and surrounding areas.

How will I know when and where events are?

Every attendee receives a schedule when they pick up their namebadge. Additionally, full schedules and signs with event titles and times will be placed throughout the hotel. Staff members or volunteers are also available to help attendees.

How can my business become a Sponsor of this event?

To become a sponsor of The Art of the Portrait Conference, download a Sponsor form from the Portrait Society website, or contact Carolyn at the Portrait Society office, toll-free, 1-877-772-4321.

What benefits do Sponsors receive?

With around 1000 artists, agents and gallery owners expected to attend, your company's name and products will be promoted through literature inserted in conference attendee packets at your discretion, on large signs and entrance units, in daily announcements, on the Portrait Society website and on a PowerPoint presentation during each General Session. Additional recognition will be made at the Saturday Awards Banquet, and your support is noted in the awards given to winners of the annual International Portrait Competition.

What does Sponsorship entail?

Sponsorship can be made through a cash gift or product gift certificates. Your contribution will be distributed among the finalists as awards for top prizes in the International Portrait Competition. In this fashion and through additional exposure at the conference and online, your products and services reach top artists from around the world.

My spouse is coming with me, but isn't an artist. What can he/ she do?

There are several options for spouses and other guests who are planning to join you at The Art of the Portrait Conference:

Volunteer! We love our volunteers, and as a way of thanking them for their time, we offer deferred tuition for those who help for one and a half days of the 4-day conference your spouse or guest can attend classes with you for more than half the event for free. Volunteering is also a great way to get to know other attendees and make everyone's experience more enjoyable.

Attend conference at the spouse rate. We offer a special "Spouse Rate" for attendees bringing a spouse or significant other. Attendees who are members in good standing may register spouses or significant others at the Member-discounted rate of $425.

Attend select ticketed events. Attendees are welcomed to purchase tickets for guests not planning to attend the full conference. Guests may join you for the Saturday evening Gala Banquet or a Sunday Bus Trip.

Enjoy Atlanta! As one of the nation’s largest cities, Atlanta has a great deal to offer in the way of shopping malls, historical sites, museums, a world class aquarium, sporting venues, entertainment and other attractions. Take advantage of the time to explore this beautiful Southern city. Additionally, the Grand Hyatt is located within driving distance of downtown Atlanta, an area filled with ample opportunities to enjoy shopping, local events and festivals or to just see a movie!

Is there parking at the hotel, and do I have to pay for it?

Yes, there is parking at the hotel. Conference attendees receive a special rate of 50% off parking. Self-parking for conference attendees is $10 per day and valet parking is $16 per day. Parking is based on availability.

Which airport is closest to the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead?

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 19.7 miles from the hotel, approximately 26 minutes drive to the Grand Hyatt

How do I get from the Airport to the Hotel?

Marta - Roundtrip $6. Travelers can board the Marta within the airport and it exits 2 blocks from the hotel. Guests may call the hotel at 404-237-1234 to request a pick up from a courtesy car.

Taxis - $42 for a taxis, plus $2 for any additional person. Takes about 30 minutes to travel from the airport to the hotel.

Shuttle Service - Atlanta Airport Shuttle Connection is the exclusive shuttle running to and from the airport. Pickup times are 20 and 50 past each hour. Pickup has to be scheduled at the hotel or airport booth. Rates to Buckhead are $20.50 one way or $37.00 roundtrip. Service operates from 6am to 12am. Please set up shuttle reservations at the concierge. Makes multiple stops to other hotels, therefore it takes about one hour to travel from the airport to the hotel.