SDA 2024 Solo Exhibition Opportunity

Held at The Dairy Barn Arts Center's O’Bleness Gallery, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens, OH 45701

Surface Design Association, in collaboration with The Dairy Barn Arts Center, invites SDA Premium Member artists to submit proposals for consideration for a solo exhibition in the Arts Center’s new O’Bleness Gallery. Held in conjunction with SDA's 2024 member and student exhibitions, this opportunity aims to showcase the talent and creativity of an individual artist. 

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: The solo exhibition will take place in the new 1,000-square-foot O’Bleness Gallery at The Dairy Barn Arts Center. The gallery is equipped to accommodate 2-D, 3-D, audio, and video artworks and installations. It offers a unique and inspiring space for artists to professionally display their creations.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Submission Deadline: November 30, 2023 (11:59 pm MT)
• Selection Notification: January 19, 2024
• Final roster of exhibition works submitted to the Arts Center for approval: May 1, 2024
• Work to arrive at The Dairy Barn Arts Center: June 7–24, 2024
• Exhibition Dates: July 5–September 1, 2024
• Work to be returned: By September 27, 2024

SUPPORT PROVIDED: SDA is committed to supporting the selected artist throughout the exhibition process. A stipend of $500 will be provided to assist with exhibition expenses. The professional installation of artworks will be handled by the staff at the Arts Center in consultation with the artist. Works will be insured while in the possession of the Arts Center.The selected artist will be responsible for shipping costs and insurance while in transit. Additionally, SDA will promote the exhibition across its various platforms, maximizing exposure for the artist and their work.

SELECTION PROCESS: The selected proposal will be based on artists' work samples, artistic vision articulated in the artist/exhibition statement, exhibition history/experience, and feasibility of proposed work within the space 

JURORS:

Caroline Kipp (she/they) is a curator, artist, art historian, and the former Curator of Contemporary Art at the GW Textile Museum in Washington, DC. Kipp holds a BFA in Fibers from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, an ALM in Museum Studies from Harvard University, and is currently a PhD student in Art History at the University of Maryland, College Park. She serves on the boards of the Textile Society of America (TSA) and the James Renwick Alliance for Craft (JRA).

Keri Ann Wolfe (she/her) is the Director of Exhibitions at The Dairy Barn Arts Center located in Athens, Ohio. Keri is responsible for managing The Dairy Barn’s four gallery spaces and leads the organization, jurying, installation, and touring of the renowned biennial Quilt National Exhibition, which showcases contemporary quilts from around the world. Keri earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Rio Grande in 2018

Application Requirements

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: 

To be considered for this solo exhibition opportunity, please submit the following materials through CaFÉ by November 30, 2024:

• Artist/exhibition statement highlighting your artistic vision and the concept for your proposed exhibition (up to 1,000 characters).
• Artist CV
• 10 representative work samples. If new work will be created, submitted work samples should be representative of your exhibition proposal. Detailed images may be included if they are important to understanding the work. The selected artist will be required to provide a final roster of exhibition works for approval by the Arts Center by May 1, 2024.
• Artwork details for each submitted artwork, including titles, dimensions, mediums, and year of creation (submitted via your CaFE work samples).
• Any specific installation requirements or considerations for your artwork, if applicable.

DELIVERY & SHIPMENT: The selected artist will deliver or ship their artwork to and from The Dairy Barn Arts Center from June 7–24, 2024. Please ensure that all artworks are securely packaged to prevent any damage during transportation. The selected artist will be responsible for shipping costs and insurance while in transit.

This opportunity is open to SDA Premium Members working in all media. To learn more about joining SDA as a Premium Member or to upgrade your membership, please contact us at info@surfacedesign.org.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY: This exhibition is open to all SDA Premium members. Not an SDA Member? Learn more about SDA’s membership benefits and tiers here. Join today and get 10% off your membership with the code SOLO24. Not a Premium Member? Contact us at info@surfacedesign.org to upgrade your membership ($30/year, prorated based on your remaining membership term).

2-D, 3-D, video, and audio works and installations are eligible. Entries must be original work completed after 1/1/2021. Work executed under classroom or educational guidance or supervision is not eligible. 

Entries that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. No substitutions may be made.

Surface Design Association, a 501c3 non-profit textile arts organization founded in 1977, is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of textile-inspired art and design through member-supported benefits including publications, exhibitions and conferences. Visit us at www.surfacedesign.org. For questions, contact info@surfacedesign.org.