Inclusion of prints in exhibitions

The venue for our local Art Club’s annual exhibition has limited space so it is necessary to limit the number of entries per person. Partly for this reason and also, and more importantly, because there was a strong feeling that only original works should be allowed, the AGM considered the rule that prints should not be allowed and only original works of art could be exhibited. The rule was adopted. The next issue was whether to allow computer generated works. This led to much debate and after much discussion it was accepted that they should be allowed - we do have some members who only work in digital art! So far so good! But then the arguments began. Digital art is printed and we don’t allow prints so under this rule digital art is excluded! Then another artist raised a further objection - he works in prints and the work of the printmaker can only be produced in print form so he can’t exhibit either! Just to muddy the waters one member is a professional whose work sells for thousands and whose contract with his gallery precludes him from displaying his original works in other venues - he would like to exhibit some of his Artists Proofs - they would certainly add to the interest in the exhibitions. However there remains a consensus that prints of originals should remain excluded so how do we reconcile this with the wish to include digital art and the works of the printmaker? The committee members are now scratching their heads considering the conundrum of how to reword the rule. I am sure we (yes I am one of them - chairman in fact) will come up with something but it just shows that nothing is straight forward - even in the world of the local art club ! So - if anyone has any thoughts…………………!