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New members should complete the Membership Application (in either format):

• Membership Application (.pdf format) *or*
• Membership Application (.doc format)

Renewing members should also complete the Membership Application (in either format):

• Membership Renewals (.pdf format) *or*
• Membership Renewals (.doc format)

The Privacy Policy is for your information:

• Privacy Policy

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1. Request the membership application from the Membership Administrator (please include a LSASE) or download it from the top of this page.
2. Complete the forms and remit payment of dues to the Membership Administrator.
3. Applicant shall be notified of approved membership by the Membership Administrator in a timely manner; all benefits of membership activate upon notification.

Please provide written parental permission for all individuals under the age of 18.

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Memberships cover each calendar year from January 1 to December 31, to coincide with the RESS Fiscal Year. All memberships expire on December 31 of the same year. The member has the opportunity to renew membership the following January 1. There are no pro-rated dues for members joining during the Membership Year. The full membership fee is due and the new member will be sent all newsletter back issues, information, and materials missed since January 1. Any membership fees received after October 1 each year will apply to the following year's membership and that member will not receive previous back issues and materials.

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(***see below for clarification on Signature and Gold Membership Status)

1. RESS artistry must be completed sculptural work or finish work applied to such of tangible and permanent media based on the technical and realistic depiction of the equine genus, existing and extinct.
2. Any one or combination of these following types of artwork qualify for RESS membership:
1. Sculpture applied to realistic 3D equine sculpture: Full body
   Bust
   Bas-relief
2. Finishwork applied to realistic 3D equine sculpture:
   Painting
   Hairing
   Patina
   Glaze
3. The only sculpture eligible for Gold/Signature Sculptor/Master Status (see below) is, to include castings in any medium from such pieces:
   1. That created as an original sculpture ('from scratch').
   2. Extreme customization:
   1. In which no original surface contours or elements are used in the final piece; the customized piece must not give any indication of the base-body underlying the completed customized piece.
   2. The base-body must be a piece of factory mass-production and be in existence of 200 (two hundred) or more copies. Customized pieces from VARA protected limited editions are not permitted in attaining Gold/Signature Sculptor/Master Status, except legal derivative works. The determination of originality is at the discretion of the standing Review Panel. The burden of proof lies solely with the artist submitting a customized piece and lack of that proof renders the piece ineligible for attaining Gold/Signature Sculptor/Master Status.
   3. Derivative works by the artist on his/her own work which already qualifies under these provisions; these works are also eligible for Gold/Signature Finisher Status.
4. Customized works ineligible for attaining Gold/Signature Sculptor/Master Status are:
1. Minor, moderate, painted-only or otherwise ineligible pieces on works not original to the artist. These works are eligible only for Gold/Signature Finisher Status provided that the sculptural piece passes Review Panel approval based on the realism and accuracy RESS maintains and one of the following:
   1. Has been created by an artist registered in the RESS Policy Database and be consistent to the rights reserved by that sculpting artist in the Database current to the Membership Year.
   2. Is customized on a mass produced piece of 200 (two hundred) or more.
   3. Is customized on a mass produced piece of 200 (two hundred) or more and be a one-of-a-kind.
   4. Work combining several elements to portray a scene or interactive context must either be in permanent form or have all intentionally detached or detachable original edition elements present for submission in the exhibition or portfolio review. All elements must be the work of the artist; no sculptural, finish or material elements by other artists or persons are permitted, with the exception of collaborative pieces as described in this Article IV, Section 1:7 and factory or foundry fabricated bases such as marble, bronze, glass and other such specialized materials.
   5. RESS is an participatory organization for artists only; only artists may enter, exhibit or otherwise participate with their own work.
2. Works of a collaborative nature are ineligible for Gold/Signature Master Status. However, such works are eligible for Gold/Signature Sculptor/Finisher Status provided that:
1. The collaborative qualities of the sculpturework or finishwork are distinct and separate so the input of the involved artists may be applicable to either the respective Gold/Signature Sculptor/Finisher Status simultaneously or independently, i.e. the sculpturework must all be done by one artist and the finishwork must all be done by one artist.
2. Collaborative works ineligible for RESS activities:
1. Collaborative works in which the artistic input of the artists is so intertwined as to be indistinguishable as clearly separate entities.
2. Collaborative works that are not consistent, in whole or in part, to the RESS Policy Database current to the Membership Year.

Note: Members should be aware that pieces eligible for RESS shows and events must adhere to these requirements as well. In other words, reread the passage but ignore any reference to 'Gold/Signature' and replace the term 'status' with the term 'division'. Then you will know the most basic requirements a piece must meet to be eligible for any RESS event or show. In fact, the policy governing eligible pieces for RESS events was lifted directly from this clause.


RESS Application of Art and Intellectual Property Law: RESS upholds the laws and legislation concerning art, artistic rights and protection of art to include, but not limited to, Copyright Law and The Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA).

1. Members must complete the RESS Policy Form as a prerequisite for membership; no membership applications shall be processed without the RESS Policy Form. There is no filing fee for current or enrolling members.
2. Only works accredited by the RESS Policy Form are eligible for RESS events, to include:
1. The RESS Non-Member Policy Form: This form enables members focused on finishwork to use non-member unpainted castings or sculptures as a base for their finishwork pieces in RESS events. Only the non-member artist may request and submit this form through the Membership Administrator. There is an annual $5 US dollar filing fee for Non-Member Policy Forms. Non-member works are ineligible for RESS events until this form is processed by the Membership Administrator.
3. The RESS Policy Form and the Non-Member Policy Form must be renewed annually.
4. RESS Policy Forms and Non-Member Policy Forms shall be formatted into the RESS Policy Database.
5. Works modified or altered by persons other than the original artist are ineligible for RESS events, to exclude:
1. Documented restoration or repair.
2. Pieces consistent to the RESS Policy Database, RESS Bylaws and Policies.

The RESS Policy Database is a listing of reserved rights formatted from the RESS Policy Forms and Non-Member Policy Forms. It shall be the primary basis of all jury selection or approval of all RESS works; it is mandatory for all events to only accept entries consistent to the RESS Policy Database.


Scope: RESS members must uphold these Codes of Conduct at all times within the perimeters of RESS and in all relevant relations outside of RESS. Each RESS member shall:

• Strive to create a productive and supportive environment for the RESS membership.
• Endeavor to add to the arena of knowledge through active participation in and promotion of education and sharing of information.
• Act in protection of artist rights within all perimeters of industry, hobbies or markets and to uphold all laws applied to art, art protection and artistic rights.
• Seek self-improvement and growth in all applications of one's artistry.
• Conduct oneself in a dignified, courteous and professional manner in all matters with the public and the RESS membership.
• Conduct business and all transactions in good faith and in a responsible fashion.
• Abide by the RESS Bylaws and Policies.

RESS shall not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, race, color, national or ethnic origin in any of its operations or events, to exclude the minimum age requirement for government service as defined in these Bylaws.