Accepting Submissions
MAY 17 - 20, 2023

 Have you created a textile masterpiece that you’ve been dying to show off? 
​ 
Gaylord arts is offering you the opportunity to show your art in our next fiber arts exhibit! 
 
What's even better? 
If it’s something you can wear, we would love for you to participate in our wearable art runway show. Our show last year was a big hit, and we expect this year to be even bigger! 

About the exhibit

​Fiber and textile artistry hold a unique and vital place in the world of art, representing an intricate fusion of creativity, culture, and craftsmanship. With roots tracing back to ancient civilizations, these art forms have been used to tell stories, preserve traditions, and express individuality for millennia. Art exhibitions dedicated to fiber and textile art provide a platform to celebrate and explore the diverse techniques and materials used in these creations, as well as to highlight the works of both renowned and emerging artists. Over time, these exhibitions have helped elevate fiber and textile artistry to the status of fine art, showcasing their historical and contemporary significance, while simultaneously promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

two ways to show off and be recognized for your Creative Fiber & textile art

Traditional Category: This category is defined by art pieces that need to be hung (fiber/textile “paintings”, quilts, wall hangings, 3D textile sculptures, etc). Please note we have limited floor space.

Wearable Category: This category is defined as art pieces that can be worn on the body. We encourage you to walk, prance, dance or strut down the runway with us! It can be anything as long as it’s textile based….  

• Anything clothing related from a simple scarf to a full ensemble 
• Think Halloween - how about a creative costume you made for yourself or your kiddos? Or made a beautiful mask using fabrics, laces or yarns 
• Or maybe you created a beautiful painting on your jeans or your jacket… 
• Did you try your hand at tie dye? 
• Did you crochet a sweater or vest? 
• Maybe you extensively Embroidered something on your favorite garment 
• Show off some accessories, like that beautiful scarf you made for a loved one, or a bag you’re proud of 
• Perhaps you upcycled something from the thrift store turning it into an entirely new garment. 
• You could even drape a blanket over your shoulders and wear it as a cape.  ​​

Eligibility

• Must be a Michigan resident (including seasonal residents) 14 years old or older
• Entries must be original works of the artist's own creation of good condition.​ ​Up-cycling works may be eligible but must be incorporated in such a way that a new design is created.  Full disclosure of the process is required (see submission form). 
• Work of any style and aesthetics is eligible for this exhibition but must use fiber as the primary medium.
• ​Collaborative creations are welcome, however, names of all artists who created the artwork (ie seamstress & designer) must be listed.
• All accepted works will remain as placed for the duration of the exhibit, unless sold during the exhibit.​
• Generally speaking, textiles come from 4 main sources: Animal, Plant, Mineral, and Synthetic, so your choices are vast. A textile, or cloth, is a flexible woven, knitted, or felted material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibers often referred to as thread or yarn. Natural fabrics are derived from the fibers of animal coats, plant seeds, stems & leaves, and silkworm cocoons. We will accept any of these materials for consideration in both the exhibit and the wearable art show: 

• Store bought Fabric or cloth, whether natural (i.e. cotton, jute, silk, etc.), or manmade (i.e polyester). 
• Leathers and suedes of all types 
• Lace, netting, tulle 
• Embroidery ​

• Felt 
• Crochet 
• Macrame 
• Anything woven or knitted by hand 
• Anything made by bonding, felting or tufting 

What is accepted in addition to the above for the wearable art show only: ​

• Rubber sheeting as part of a costume or piece of clothing 
• EVA foam as part of a costume or piece of clothing
• Vinyl or PVC sheeting 
• Painted clothing 

• Tie Dyed clothing  
• Embroidered clothing 
• Upcycled clothing that is transformed into something entirely new 

These materials are not textiles, and will be accepted only as a part to your main piece (for instance, as a small part of a bag or a costume):

• Hard plastics 
  
• Hard glass 
  
• Hard metals ​
  

• Hard wood 
  
• Paper ​
  

Conditions for Entry

• All artwork must be ready to hang or display.
• A display rack for quilts must be provided.
• Artist must provide a mannequin or appropriate dress form for displaying all wearable art We do not provide a dress form or platform. Work will not be suspended from the ceiling. ​
• If entering the Wearable Art show, all designers must provide their own live models for the show.
• 2-D artwork must be wired—no sawtooth hangers.
• Artwork will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, as space allows, Maximum entries— one full-sized quilt OR three smaller items, if entering the wearable art show, an additional 3 items may be submitted for the show only.   
• Gaylord Arts reserves the right to reject any work for any reason. 
• Completed Entry form, payment and art submissions must be received no later than May 20, 2023 (See submission procedure below for more details). 
• Entry fee:  Member- $15.00, Non-member - $25.00. (3 entries maximum)
• 2-D pieces must be framed and wired for hanging at the time of submission. No sawtooth hangers will be accepted. 
• 2-D pieces must be clearly labeled on the back  and 3-D in an inconspicuous place with
  • Artist's name,
  • Title
  • Medium
  • Selling price or if not for sale, "Exhibit Only"
• Gaylord Arts will take reasonable precautions to ensure the protection of artwork appearing in this show, but you are exhibiting at your own risk. You may obtain insurance on your own artwork for this show, however, Gaylord Arts does not insure exhibitor's art and is not responsible for loss or damage to artwork appearing in this show.
• You agree to leave accepted entries on display in the Gaylord Arts' center for the duration of this show.  If the piece is sold during the show, the buyer has the option to remove the piece at the time of sale. 
• All unsold pieces must be picked up by the deadlines. Art work not retrieved within 30 days become the property of Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, unless arrangements are made.
• Pickup pieces: July 5 - 8, 2023 during gallery open hours.
• ​​Entering this show constitutes giving Gaylord Arts permission to photograph art work for publicity or archival purposes. 

Sales

​GACA will retain a 30% commission on sales of work sold during the exhibit. The sale price must include any matting and framing if applicable.  All entries that are for sale will be featured on Gaylord Arts' on-line Art Market Store: gaylordarts.org

Entry Form/Payment/Submission Procedure-OPENS may 17. 

•  Complete entry form (on-line see below or download, print and submit via mail or in-person at the gallery.  Must be received no later than May 20, 2023 by 2:00 p.m.  Entries with missing information will not be accepted.
• Submit Entry Fee Payment (on-line payment, click "Entry Fee Payment" below or pay with check via mail or in-person at the gallery).  Payment must be received no later than May 20, 2023, 2022 by 2:00 p.m. to be accepted.  Checks payable to: "Gaylord Area Council for the Arts." 
• Drop off art pieces between May 17 - 20, 2023 to Gaylord Area Council for the Arts gallery | 125 E. Main St., Gaylord, MI. 49735 during open hours

PLEASE NOTE:  YOU MUST CLICK THE "SUBMIT" BUTTON TO SAVE THE ENTRY FORM BEFORE LEAVING THIS PAGE.  FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN YOUR FORM NOT BEING SUBMITTED OR SAVED.  AFTER CLICKING THE "SUBMIT ENTRY FORM" BUTTON, YOU WILL RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN,  YOU CAN THEN CLICK "PAYMENT" TO PAY ENTRY FEE ON-LINE.  ​

Submit payment on-line

FIBER ARTS AND TEXTILE EXHIBITION ENTRY FEE