Spaces Between

SDA's 2025 Juried Exhibition

March 28–May 17, 2025
Florida CraftArt
501 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Members of the Surface Design Association (SDA) and Florida CraftArt are invited to submit work for Spaces Between: SDA's Juried Exhibition. The exhibition will be on view from March 28–May 17, 2025 at Florida CraftArt in St. Petersburg, FL. Juried by Akiko Kotani, this exhibition includes awards. Entries may be submitted online through January 10, 2025 via CaFE.

EXHIBITION THEME: Amidst a world in flux, this exhibition will bring together works that cultivate a deeper understanding of in-between spaces and what it can mean to navigate through and reside within them. Edges, thresholds, and borders – whether cultural, environmental, psychological, or physical – can be rigid or fluid, impermeable or frayed. Incredible richness exists in places of overlap, and astonishing webs arise where gaps have been stitched over. The interstices are sites of transition, transformation, and sometimes the piecing together of a new home. 

Highlighting work made with a fibers sensibility, including traditional and cross-disciplinary materials, techniques, and practices, as well as experimental processes and material innovation, this exhibition invites artists to reflect creatively on the spaces between.

All SDA and Florida CraftArt members are encouraged to apply. Selected works will demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision and innovation, and will include the best of contemporary fiber work by SDA and Florida CraftArt members.

Not an SDA Member? Join today and get 10% off your membership with the code WELCOME24

JUROR: Akiko Kotani received a BFA from the University of Hawaii near her birthplace of Waipahu, HI, and an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA. Kotani’s work is held and exhibited in museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Baker Museum, Naples, FL; and the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio. During her career, she has received multiple prizes and honors. 

Since her arrival in 2015 to the Tampa Bay area, Kotani’s work has appeared in 3 one-person shows, and she was honored as the 2019 Artist Laureate by Creative Pinellas, Largo, FL. Most recently, the Baker Museum, Naples, FL, selected her work for the Florida Contemporary 2021/22, along with two other Florida artists. In 2023, the installation Neon Forest was featured and won the prestigious “Florida Prize” at the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL. Having had her work in two previous Skyways, her installation(s) will again be part of Skyway 2024/25 at The Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL. Kotani exhibited Midsummer Suite at the Saga Museum, Japan, and had a solo exhibition, Burst, at the Chihuly Collection, St Petersburg, FL, in 2025. 

She is represented by Leslie Curran Gallery, St Petersburg, FL.

AWARDS:

First Place                                  $400
Second place                             $200
Third place                                 $100
SDA Award of Excellence          One-year SDA Membership

IMPORTANT DATES:

• January 10, 2025: Entry deadline (11:59pm MT)
• February 10, 2025: Notification of acceptance
• March 20-25, 2025: Selected artwork due at venue
• March 28, 2025: Exhibitions opens
• April 30, 2025: Textile Talk Virtual Program
• May 17, 2025: Exhibition closes

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.

Florida CraftArt is a statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow the statewide creative economy by engaging the community and advancing Florida’s fine craft artists and their work.

Application Requirements

​ENTRY PROCEDURE: Entries are accepted online through CaFÉ. Entry deadline is January 10, 2025. Note: Non-members will need to join before submitting an entry. Join SDA here. Applications close at 11:59 PM in Mountain Time Zone (Denver, CO, USA) on deadline date.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Name, address (and shipping address if different), telephone, e-mail.
2. Up to 2 artworks total may be submitted (2D, 3D, Video and Audio). Juror requests one overall and at least one detail of each full original artwork. Four images total may be submitted per entrant.
3. 2D, 3D, Video and Audio: See CaFÉ images requirements here.
4. A brief artist statement (1,000 characters, max) 

• Since this is a blind jurying process, please do not include identifying information in the statement such as your name.
• Please note that the artist statement should address the artist's overall practice.
• Within each artwork submission, there is a description field which should include additional information about the specific piece of artwork (i.e. method, concept, etc.). Artists are highly encouraged to complete the description field as it provides important context for the juror.

Wall Mounted Artwork

• Diptychs and triptychs are considered single artworks.
• Hanging work should arrive ready to hang with all hanging rods and devices included.
• Maximum wall height is 100”. Work that does not fold/collapse must not exceed 9 feet in any direction.

3-Dimensional Artwork

• Ceiling suspended work: Individual components must not weigh more than 50 lbs.

Additional Information about submissions

• Artists must provide all equipment (ex. computer, cords, projectors) if there is an electrical component to the work.
• Please include written instructions and photos for complicated installations.
• Work that is unstable, unusually fragile, or does not meet the installation requirements may be disqualified.

PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDELINES: Artists are strongly encouraged to submit images that present the artwork to best advantage. Images should give a sense of how the piece “sits” or “hangs.” Detail photographs should show the technical excellence of the work or highlight special areas of interest. By submitting artwork to the exhibition, artists give permission for work to be photographed for advertising and publicity purposes during the exhibition.

SHIPPING: Complete shipping instructions will be sent with the acceptance notification letter. Artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from Florida CraftArt. All artwork must arrive at Florida CraftArt between March 20 and March 25, 2025. Artists should submit a prepaid return shipping label for the return of their work.

INSURANCE: Florida CraftArt provides full coverage of work while it is in the care of the gallery as well as when it is in transit to and from the artist.

SALES: Florida CraftArt (FCA) reserves the exclusive right to sell all Artwork in FCA’s possession at the retail price provided by the Artist and will collect sales tax from buyers on all sales as required by Florida law. FCA retains the right to offer a discount to FCA members, which, if applicable, shall only be deducted from FCA’s portion of the sale.

• Commission Rate: All funds collected by FCA will be distributed as follows: (a) Sales tax will be deducted from gross proceeds (which includes sales tax collected from buyer) and transmitted to the Florida Department of Revenue on the Artist’s behalf; (b) Artist will receive fifty-five percent (55%) of the remaining proceeds; and (c) FCA will receive forty-five percent (45%) of the remaining proceeds, less the cost of any transaction fees.
• Payment: FCA will pay the Artist for sold Artwork at the commission rate stated above by the end of the month following the sale via mailed paper check. Uncashed checks shall be subject to the provisions of the Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, Chapter 717, Florida Statutes.

By submitting an entry, the Artist grants permission for Surface Design Association (SDA) and Florida CraftArt to use the accepted image on its website, for brochures, promotional materials, and publicity about the exhibition.
 

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY: This exhibition is open to all SDA and Florida CraftArt members. Up to two artworks may be submitted per artist. Entries must be original work completed after 1/1/2022 and must be available for sale. Work executed under classroom or educational guidance or supervision is not eligible. 

Entries that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. Artists who have been included in prior SDA exhibits are encouraged to apply, but work should show a progression or be from a different body of work. Works previously exhibited with SDA will not be considered. No substitutions for accepted work may be made. Accepted artwork that differs significantly from image in online submission may be disqualified. 

Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. No substitutions may be made.