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 $30 non-refundable entry fee is required. Members of the Springfield Art Association pay only $25.
 
Calendar
February 17          Deadline for entries
February 24          Notification of acceptance
March 14 - 22        Receipt of Work at the SAA
March 28               Exhibition opens, Opening Reception from 5:30 to 7:30pm
April 26                 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 14 and March 22, 2025.  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
Ellen Kleckner is an artist and educator living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her artistic practice weaves together community engagement, material investigation, and collaboration. She studied Ceramics at the Appalachian Center for Craft (BFA) and Ohio University (MFA). Ellen is the Executive Director of the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, a non-profit community art center.

Ellen employs play and collusion paired with traditional practice to create new forms in collaborations with a community of makers. These forms investigate that which is commonplace through explorations of form and texture.  

Her work continually investigates connections. Connections between place, material, idea, legacy and community. Drawn from a familiar vocabulary of makers, she joins materials to create forms that provoke the agencies of their utility, calling into question which is commonplace or recognizable through explorations of form, composition and materials.

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 2025 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.