PLEASE READ THE CONDITIONS OF ENTRY BEFORE APPLYING. Those who do not follow submission requirements will be disqualified. 

Exhibit Dates: March 29 - May 17, 2025
Made in NY is an annual exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center located in Auburn, New York that features work by New York artists. The exhibit is an opportunity for artists residing in New York State to showcase their work in a competitive, juried exhibition. Prizes will be awarded, including $1000 for Best of Show. The exhibit is open to all media, such as photography, sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber, installation, and video.

The Schweinfurth is a non-profit multi-arts center situated in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Auburn, New York that features exhibitions, art classes for youth and adults, quilting and fiber arts workshops, and multi-arts programs including music, folk arts, poetry and much more.

Applicants may submit 2 artworks for consideration. You may submit one full view image and one detail image of each work for a total of 4 images. Detail images are optional.

Full view images must be labeled with the title of the artwork. 

Detail images MUST be labeled as follows: Title of artwork_detail.

Do not submit more than 2 artworks. Detail images that are not properly labeled, or applicants who submit more than 2 artworks will be disqualified.

Artworks must be created within the past 3 years.

You must be a New York resident to apply to this exhibition.

Jurors: David MacDonald and Sayward Schoonmaker

David MacDonald

A native of New Jersey, he graduated from Hackensack High School where he excelled athletically and academically. He received an athletic scholarship to Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. Also at Hampton, he discovered his love of the art of Ceramics, where he studied under noted African American ceramic artist Joseph Gilliard.

After receiving his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Michigan in 1971, he joined the faculty of the School of Art and Design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University.

Professor MacDonald’s creative work is mostly inspired by his investigation of his African heritage. Looking at a variety of design sources in the vast creative traditions of the African continent; MacDonald draws much of his inspiration from the myriad examples of surface decoration that manifests themselves in the many cultures of sub-Saharan Africa (such as pottery decoration, textiles, body decoration and architectural decoration).

Prof. MacDonald’s work is represented in many public and private collections throughout the nation. His work has also been featured in several ceramic textbooks and magazines and he has been featured in many nationally televised programs, such as HGTV's "Modern Masters" and PBS's "A Craftsmen Legacy". He has been given a number of awards by various arts organizations such as, National Conference for the Education in the Ceramics Arts' "Excellence in Teaching Award" and the National Crafts Council's "Master Craftsman Award".

Upon retiring from Syracuse University in 2008, he was awarded Emeritus Professor status. Since his retirement he has been active lecturing across the country and working in his studio creating his signature ceramic works.

Sayward Schoonmaker is an artist, writer, and arts administrator. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including Weinberg/Newton Gallery,  Adds Donna Gallery, the Hyde Collection, and the Brattleboro Museum. She has attended residencies at the Tides Institute, Monson Arts, Arteles Creative Center, and Vermont Studio Center. She earned her BS in Studio Art from Skidmore College, an MFA in the department of Fiber and Materials Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and an MLIS from Syracuse University.

Sayward’s art practice aims to change, enrich, and redefine how we build beliefs, feel connected to people and places, and understand loving. The work often takes form as video, participatory performance, and objects. Sayward’s writing practices spans poetry, text-based art, and academic research in library and information science. She is the author of one poetry chapbook, 3259 (Dancing Girl Press) and co-author of award-winning research on diversity and bias in library information systems. Sayward is currently the artistic director of Stone Quarry Art Park, an outdoor contemporary arts space located in central New York State. 

DATES TO REMEMBER
Deadline to Apply: January 27th
Jury Results emailed:  February 14
Delivery of Artwork: Mon. – Sat. March 3 - 8 during regular hours, 10am-5pm. Note deliveries are not accepted on Sunday 
Exhibition Dates: Saturday, March 29 - Saturday May 17, 2025
Artists’ Reception & Awards: Saturday, March 29
Pickup of Artwork: Tuesday, May 20 – Friday, May 23, or by appointment
Return Shipping: Beginning Wednesday, May 21

Entry Fee
The entry fee is $35.00 and includes membership at the Art Center for February-December 2025. Membership benefits include free admission to the Art Center, discounts on workshops, classes, & events, and eligibility for our Members exhibition, which is not juried and free for all members.

The entry fee is $5.00 for artists who already have a current membership at the Art Center (membership must be active through the exhibit period.) To receive the membership discount you MUST use a promo code at registration. Please email nikkid@schweinfurthartcenter.org, or call 315-255-1553 to check your membership and receive the promo code.

Entry fees must be paid online with a credit card at the time of entry.

Notification of Acceptance/Awards
All notifications will be sent via email. Notification of acceptance will be emailed on February 14.

Delivery/Retrieval
Hand delivery will be accepted from Mon. – Sat. March 3 - 8 during regular hours, 10am-5pm. Note deliveries are not accepted on Sunday.  Any other delivery time must be by appointment. Special delivery and installation arrangements for large or heavy works may be required.

All artwork shipped by mail must arrive at the Schweinfurth Art Center by Saturday, March 8. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs including insurance. Work must be shipped in a substantial, reusable container.

Artwork must be picked up between Tuesday, May 20 – Friday, May 23, (10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday), or by appointment. Shipped work will be returned by mail beginning Wednesday, May 21. The Art Center will not be responsible for artwork not retrieved by November 20, 2025 if arrangements have not been made with our staff.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please contact Julia Banfi at mail@schweinfurthartcenter.org. 

Application Requirements

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

Applicants may submit 2 artworks for consideration. You may submit one full view image and one detail image of each work for a total of 4 images. Detail images are optional.

Full view images must be labeled with the title of the artwork. 

Detail images MUST be labeled as follows: Title of artwork_detail.

Do not submit more than 2 artworks. Detail images that are not properly labeled, or applicants who submit more than 2 artworks will be disqualified.

Acceptable image files

Images

File Type: JPEG or JPG only.

File Dimensions: 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side.

File Size: Under 5 MB.

Audio

File Type: AIFF, WAV, XMF, MP3.

File Size: Under 10 MB.

Video

File Type: MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV, M2TS.

File Size: Under 100 MB.

Currently, linked media from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. is not accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

Artworks must be created within the past 3 years.

Professional artists 18 years old & up residing in New York State may submit digital images of no more than two pieces completed within the last three years (2022 and after) and not previously exhibited at the Art Center.

Two and three dimensional work will be accepted including, but not limited to, photography, sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, fiber, installation, and video. (Note: All equipment must be provided by the artist for videos and multi-media installations).

Artworks must be able to fit through our 82" x 41" front doors and not exceed 144 inches on any side. Sculptural work must be under 200lbs.

All entries must be of original design and personal execution.

All work must be received installation-ready with appropriate hanging device, hardware and/or installation instructions included. Each work must be clearly labeled with artist’s name and title of the work. 

Unframed works on paper will not be accepted. 

Works cannot be suspended from the ceiling.

Only completed work may be entered. Proposals/works in progress are not accepted.

Accepted work may not be withdrawn before the close of the exhibition on May 17, 2025

If artwork is for sale, the Art Center will retain a 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition. An insurance value and a sale price including the commission, must be included on the entry form.

The jurors/staff of the Schweinfurth Art Center reserve the right to refuse any entry because of special conditions of installation or if the quality of the work was not accurately represented in the submitted image.

Multi-Media
A video may be submitted for works with moving parts or performance elements. All equipment must be provided by the artist for videos and multi-media installations.

Insurance
Schweinfurth Art Center will insure objects while on site for the insurance value indicated on the entry form. The Artist is responsible for insurance during shipping both ways.