Submission Description
Transparency refers to the quality of being clear, open, and easily understandable. It is a characteristic that allows light or information to pass through without distortion or obstruction. In various contexts, transparency embodies honesty, visibility, and accessibility. Whether in materials like glass that permit the passage of light, or in organizational practices where openness and accountability build trust, transparency is a fundamental principle.
Surface Design Association (SDA) Illinois Chapter is looking for artwork focusing on the theme of transparency working individually or in collaboration with other artists. Please submit recent work done in any fiber art process including, but not limited to, quilting, macrame, embroidery, printing, crochet, knitting, felting, paper, weaving, surface design, basketry, video works, audio works, and mixed media works incorporating combinations of these processes. Video and audio works need to be incorporated into an actual fiber art piece.
Submission Requirements:
ENTRY FEE: $30
ELIGIBILITY: SDA, Illinois Regional Group, in collaboration with Union Street Gallery, invites fiber artists across the United States, 18 years and older to apply to the “Transparency” juried exhibition.
‘Transparency’ will celebrate artwork that pushes the evolution of fiber, art, and design using color and design processes and meanings. Works chosen shall demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision and innovation. Each Artist may submit up to three (3) pieces. 2D, 3D, video, and audio works are eligible. If you are not a member of the SDA then please click here to join! Additionally if you’d like to learn more about becoming a studio artist or a guild member at Union Street Gallery, please click here! Please note that having SDA Membership or Membership as a Union Street Gallery Studio Artist or Guild Member is not required for submissions to be considered.
Entries that do not meet the stated requirements in this application may not be considered. Accepted artwork that differs significantly from the image in online submission may be disqualified upon receipt. Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. No substitutions shall be made. Union Street Gallery, the SDA and its jurors may prohibit any content with reasonable justification.
ENTRY PROCEDURE: Applicants may submit up to three (3) entries of high quality contemporary artwork in any fiber art medium, as described above, for the ‘Transparency’ exhibition. Submission deadline is August 15th, 2024 (11:59 pm CST).
PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDELINES: Artists are encouraged to submit images that represent the artwork to its best advantage. Images shall give a sense of how the piece sits or hangs. Detailed photographs should show the technical excellence of the work or highlight special areas of interest.
The following must be included for each piece of artwork submitted:
- • One (1) full and one (1) detail image
- • File format: .JPG, .PNG, and .TIF
- • File dimensions: No larger than 2500 pixels on the longest side
- • File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
- • Video: not to exceed 400 MB per sample
WALL MOUNTED ARTWORK:
- • Hanging work shall arrive ready to hang with all hanging rods and devices included.
- • Maximum wall height is 10 feet. Work that does not fold/collapse must not exceed 9 feet in any direction.
- • Ceiling-suspended 3-dimensional artwork shall be made of lightweight fabrics or paper.
- • If needed, the Artist will be responsible for providing frames and unique hanging hardware (French cleats, rare earth magnets, and other exotic hanging materials).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SUBMISSIONS
- Please include written instructions and photos for complicated installations upon mailing or drop-off of your artwork.
- Work that is unstable, unusually fragile, or does not meet the installation requirements shall be disqualified.
- Any pieces deemed offensive, or not of the highest quality, shall not be included in the “Transparency” exhibition.
- A label shall be securely attached to the bottom back right corner of the piece and contain the following information: Artist’s full name.
- Address that appears on the official entry form.
- The title of the entry.
- Phone number and email address.
'Transparency Timeline' :
- Submission Begins: June 14th, 2024 (11:59 pm CST)
- Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2024 (11:59 pm CST)
- Selection Notification: August 22nd, 2024
- Work to arrive at Union Street Gallery: September 5th, 6th or 7th, 2024
Artwork that arrives or is dropped off later than these dates will not be included in the exhibition.
- Exhibition Dates: September 12th to October 5th, 2024
- Reception Date: October 5, 2024, 11 AM to 4 PM
- Artwork pickup and shipping from Union Street Gallery will be between October 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2024
AWARDS:
- 1 - First Place: $300
- 1 - Second Place: $200
- 1 - Third Place: $100
- 1 – Surface Design Association Award of Excellence (a one-year digital membership to SDA and the awardee would be listed in the Surface Design Journal)
- 3 - Honorable Mentions
AWARDS JUROR: Karen S. Musgrave is an interdisciplinary, multihyphenate artist whose recent body of work deals with loss, memory, aging, and identity. She feels passionately about connecting cultures with quilts. Her projects include curating a traveling exhibition of the African American quilts from Gee’s Bend, Alabama, alongside quilts in Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. In Kyrgyzstan, she organized, curated, and wrote the catalogue for an exhibition of American art quilts and Kyrgyz patchwork. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards. She was a consultant on the 9-part documentary Why Quits Matter which aired on PBS. As a writer, she contributed to Spike Gillespie’s book quilts Around the World, wrote the book Quilts in the Attic: Uncovering the Hidden Stories of the Quilts We Love and has written numerous articles for magazines. She has exhibited internationally, and her work is in many private collections. She lives in the far west suburbs of Chicago.
SHIPPING: Complete shipping instructions shall be sent with the acceptance notification of the artwork. Artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from Union Street Gallery. All artworks should arrive at Union Street Gallery between September 3rd through 5th, 2024. Artists shall submit a prepaid return shipping label for the return of their artwork. If someone, other than the Artist, is removing artwork from the “Transparency” Exhibition, the Artist shall give Union Street Gallery prior written correspondence of this five (5) days prior to the end of the “Transparency” Exhibition or the piece may not be released.
INSURANCE: Union Street Gallery does not insure exhibit artwork. Artists are responsible for insurance during shipping to and from Union Street Gallery.
SALES: Price and/or value of an accepted entry shall not be changed after it is submitted Union Street Gallery retains 30% of the profits from each art piece sold during the exhibition. All sold works will be taxed Chicago Heights, Illinois 10% sales tax. Artwork in the “Transparency” Exhibition may be listed as not for sale (NFS). Union Street Gallery shall handle all sales transactions while artwork is in the “Transparency” Exhibition. Union Street Gallery shall make shipping arrangements to a buyer, if shipping is necessary, at the buyer’s expense. Sold artwork must remain for the duration of the exhibition. Payments to the Artist for sold work will be made within 30 days after the exhibition closes.
PERMISSION AND COPYRIGHT: By submitting an entry, the Artist grants permission for SDA and Union Street Gallery to use the accepted image on their websites, in brochures, in promotional materials, and publicity about the “Transparency” Exhibition, both physical and virtual. Every effort shall be made to maintain quality true to the submitted image, recognizing that the print or electronic medium may affect how the viewer receives the image. Artists shall be recognized for their artwork. The Artist hereby certifies that they hold the copyright for this material and the copyright remains with the Artist. The Artist also certifies that the work submitted is original and does not infringe on any existing copyright. If artwork includes an image of a person, the Artist certifies that a model release for such people has been obtained. Furthermore, if the accepted work differs dramatically from the image submitted, SDA and Union Street Gallery reserves the right to return the work to the Artist without hanging the artwork in the “Transparency” exhibition.
ABOUT UNION STREET GALLERY: Union Street Gallery is equipped to accommodate 2-D, 3-D, video and audio artworks. Union Street Gallery offers a unique and inspiring space for Artists to display their creations professionally.
Union Street Gallery (along with affiliated members and staff) assumes no financial obligation due to loss or damage.
If needed, the Artist will be responsible for providing frames and unique hanging hardware (French cleats, rare earth magnets, etc.). Additionally, the Artist will be responsible for the pickup of remaining artwork as well as the collection of wrapping and packaging materials during drop off. Please schedule a pick-up time with the Union Street Gallery Director or Coordinator to collect your artwork at least one week after the end of the exhibit. All works that are shipped to Union Street Gallery much provide a return shipping label at the time of
drop off for return shipment and all unsold works will be shipped by Saturday the week following the end of the exhibition. Union Street retains 30% of the profits from each art piece sold during the exhibition. All sold works will be taxed Chicago Heights, Illinois 10% sales tax. Note that Union Street Gallery does not insure exhibit artwork in most cases.
In the event that artwork is not picked up by the Artist or the Artist’s designated representative within a reasonable timeframe after several notices, said artwork will be considered to be a donation to Union Street Gallery. Pickup after this point is not guaranteed.
Union Street Gallery and the Coordinator may prohibit any content with reasonable justification.
All applicants will receive an email confirmation regarding your acceptance or nonacceptance by August 15th at the absolute latest.
Selected Artists will be required to sign and date a form provided by Union Street Gallery to this effect.
Thank you so much for submitting to this upcoming show! See you soon!
Contact Email: Dorita Fuller, Coordinator, at 7272dfuller@gmail.com, Julian Graham, Director at Union Street Gallery, director@unionstreetgallery.org
Note: Submission fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Union Street Gallery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all submission fees are considered as donations to the gallery and helps fund exhibits, classes and workshops, maintenance fees, and more. For more information, visit UnionStreetGallery.org