All entries will be divided into size categories and within the size categories, by color/aesthetic categories.

Size Categories:

• Full Size/Original Size Quilt - 5 blocks wide by 6 blocks tall with border
• Wall Hanging - 2-4 blocks wide by 2-5 blocks tall with or without border
• Table Runner - 1 block wide by 2-6 blocks long with or without border
• Single Square - 1 square with or without border
• Pillow - Any size with at least 1 square with or without border

Within each size category an example from each of the color/aesthetic categories will be chosen.

Color/Aesthetic Categories:

• Reproduction fabrics
• Modern fabrics
• Single Predominant color

A total of 15 pieces will be chosen by the jurors.

There will be an entry fee of $25 to submit a piece for consideration in the exhibition. Entries will be accepted from March 16, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Entrants will be notified of the results by July 31, 2024. 

Quilts accepted into the exhibition must arrive at the Virginia Quilt Museum between September 3 and 13, 2024. Pieces will be returned to the artists between January 7 and January 18, 2025. Pieces can be mailed or hand delivered to the museum. Shipping is the responsibility of the artist. The Virginia Quilt Museum provides insurance coverage for all pieces while on display. 

Full size quilts, wall hangings, table runners, and single squares must include a sleeve for hanging. The sleeve must be at least 4” wide. Pillows must come stuffed/with a pillow form for display. All pieces should be clean and free of stains and pet hair. If a piece arrives dirty or damaged the Virginia Quilt Museum reserves the right to not exhibit the piece. 

All pieces must be finished and quilted. Tops and non-quilted pillows are not accepted.

General Specifications:

• All pieces must be finished and quilted. Tops and non-quilted pillows are not accepted.
• The piece must fit into one of the following size categories:
  • Full Size/Complete Quilt - 5 blocks wide by 6 blocks tall with border
  • Wall Hanging - 2-4 blocks wide by 2-5 blocks tall with or without border
  • Table Runner - 1 block wide by 2-6 blocks long with or without border
  • Single Square - 1 square with or without border
  • Pillow - Any size with at least 1 square with or without border
• All pieces should be clean and free of stains. If a piece arrives dirty or damaged the Virginia Quilt Museum reserves the right to not exhibit the piece.
• Full size quilts, wall hangings, table runners, and single squares pieces must arrive “show ready” with a sleeve attached
  • Must hang without distortion
  • If hanging, the sleeve must be at least 4” wide.
  • Pillows must come stuffed/with a pillow form for display.

Image Requirements:

Please take the best possible images of your piece(s). These images are how your piece(s) will be juried. The Studio Art Quilt Associates offers great tips for successful art quilt photography!  

• For each entry, submit one full-view front image
• And at least one but up to four detail images
• Full-view images MUST show all the edges of the quilt and some of the area behind it where it is being photographed
• Digital images must be saved as a high-quality JPEG or JPG file (No TIFF files)
• Do not use your name or initials in the filename — only use the title of the piece
  • Examples: Title of Piece Full, Title of Piece Detail
• Jurying will be done based on the images you provide. Please make them the best quality possible.

Timeline:

Entry submission opens March 16, 2024

Entry submission closes June 30, 2024 - Online entry closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern

Notification to artists by July 31, 2024

Work arrives September 3-13, 2024 for mail & hand delivery

Exhibit Install September 16, 2024

Exhibit Opens September 17, 2024

Exhibit Closes December 21, 2024

Exhibit take down Jan. 7, 2025

In-person pick-up December 21, 2024 from 3:00-4:00 pm OR between January 14-18, during normal museum hours

Works shipped back to artists by January 18, 2025

Shipping:

Quilts accepted into the exhibition must arrive at the Virginia Quilt Museum between September 3 and 13, 2024. The pieces will be shipped no later than January 18, 2025. Pieces can either be mailed or hand delivered to the museum. Shipping is the responsibility of the artist. 

• Artists are responsible for the shipping of piece(s) to the Virginia Quilt Museum
• Pieces must arrive at the Virginia Quilt Museum by September 13, 2024
• Participants will be notified when the exhibition is completed and will be responsible for picking their piece(s) or reimbursing the Virginia Quilt Museum for shipping.
  • Piece(s) will be shipped back in new packaging material. The Virginia Quilt Museum cannot store packing materials.
  • Piece(s) must be shipped back to a United States address. The Virginia Quilt Museum will not ship internationally.

Insurance:

• Artists are responsible for insuring their piece(s) for the duration of the project

Jurors:

Jurors will include Pat Sloan, Wendy Sheppard, and staff of the Virginia Quilt Museum. Quilts will be selected based on the categories, the topic represented, craftsmanship, and how the piece fits within the exhibition as a whole. Quilts will be selected based on the photos submitted to the call for entries. Please make sure your photos are of good quality to ensure proper judging.

For any questions please contact Kate Read, Curator, at curator@vaquiltmuseum.org 

Application Requirements

Artists will be required to provide the following information when submitting an entry.

• Name
• Contact Information
• Title of Piece
• Medium
• Dimensions
• Techniques
• Materials
• Size Category
  • Full Size/Complete Quilt - 5 blocks wide by 6 blocks tall with border
  • Wall Hanging - 2-4 blocks wide by 2-5 blocks tall with or without border
  • Table Runner - 1 block wide by 2-6 blocks long with or without border
  • Single Square - 1 square with or without border
  • Pillow - Any size with at least 1 square with or without border
• Color/Aesthetic Category
  • Reproduction fabrics
  • Modern fabrics
  • Single Predominant color
• Artist Statement (1,000 character limit)
• Personal Statement (1,000 character limit)
• Is this piece a collaboration?
  • If yes, please list all collaborators and what they did.
• $25 entry fee, paid online or via check mailed to the museum

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists of all ages are welcome to submit a piece
• Piece must be based on the Harrisonburg pattern by Wendy Sheppard
• Artists may submit up to 3 pieces
• $25 entry fee per piece submitted, non-refundable
• Images of selected work may be reproduced for publicity and marketing purposes without further permission of the artist.
• Anyone submitting more than one artwork should submit separate applications for each, so you can upload a detail image for each piece.