The intent of this juried exhibition is to showcase the best in contemporary ceramics. The Springfield Art Association’s (SAA) M. G. Nelson Family Gallery offers nearly 1400 square feet of high quality exhibition space in Springfield, Illinois. Cash prizes ($500, $300 and $200) will be awarded. The Springfield Art Association is the oldest visual arts organization in Central Illinois and is dedicated to the support and promotion of the visual arts. Please visit www.springfieldart.org for more information.

Media & Specifications
Contemporary Ceramics, Functional or Sculptural works, including mixed media (at least 50% clay) &/or time-based media related to ceramic processes/clay
 
Entries
Entries will be accepted online through Call for Entry, CaFE. 
 
Entry Fee
A $35 non-refundable entry fee is required.  Members of the Springfield Art Association pay only $25.
 
Calendar
February 15          Deadline for entries
March 1                 Notification of acceptance
March 18 - 31       Receipt of Work at the SAA
April 7                    Exhibition opens, Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30pm
April 29                  Exhibition closes
 
Sales
Works need not be for sale; however, The Springfield Art Association will retain a 35% commission on any work sold during the exhibition.
 
Liability & Insurance
All artwork is insured while in the possession of the SAA.  Artists are responsible for insurance on in-bound and out-bound shipping.
 
Receipt & Return of Art Work
Artwork must be shipped (at the artist’s expense) via UPS, Fed Ex, or USPS in a STURDY, reusable container. (Breakage in shipping has been a problem) Please double box your work with plenty of padding. (FYI, the wooden crates fared the worst.) No COD shipments will be accepted.  All accepted work shipped and hand delivered must be received between March 18 and March 31, 2023.  Hand delivered work must arrive during office hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.  Accepted artists  who ship their work must include prepaid charges for return shipping.  
 
Juror
Jennifer Holt’s porcelain, mixed media sculpture and installation art revolves around notions of time, place and memory. Her work has been exhibited in numerous national and international exhibitions. She has been an artist in residence at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Lawrence Art Center, Red Lodge Clay Center and FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums in Fuping, China. Her artwork has been published in national and international publications including “Ceramics Monthly”, “Ceramics Art and Perception” and “Dao Clayforms”. Her artwork also resides in many private and public collections.

Ms. Holt received her BFA in Sculpture from Ohio University, and her MFA in Ceramics from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. She currently resides in Decatur, Illinois where she is a practicing artist and Assistant Professor of Art at Millikin University.

Application Requirements

Applications will only be accepted through this system, no direct mail or email applications will be accepted. Application fees must be paid by the application deadline. Each artist may submit up to three different pieces, one image of each piece.  

Eligibility Criteria

Shapes of Influence 2023 is open to all artists living in the United States working in ceramics. Artists must be 18 years of age or older. If you are a member of the Springfield Art Association, please call for the application discount code