Emulate, Recreate, Translate

SDA’s 2025 International Exhibition in Print

“It is the task of the translator to release in his own language that pure language that is under the spell of another, to liberate the language imprisoned in a work in his re-creation of that work.” –Walter Benjamin

In recent years, fiber’s boundaries have been pushed to their limits like never before. The tenth annual International Exhibition in Print celebrates fiber’s potential to emulate, recreate, and translate other qualities and contexts. 

Some themes that expand translation as a material practice-

• Work that explores translation of language, metaphor, or concept in the medium of fiber.
• Work that emulates qualities of other materials.
• Work that illustrates fundamental aspects of fiber with thought-provoking reflections on other matter and material.
• Work that bridges cultural gaps, encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate and engage with each other.

The resulting Exhibition in Print will focus on translations and the “release” of  limited understandings of what fiber can become. We are looking for poetic creations that embody fiber’s power to communicate through and beyond its materiality. 

Artists working in all fiber/textile media, methods, or processes are encouraged to apply.

JOURNAL OVERVIEW: Artist Nirmal Raja and Surface Design Journal Managing Editor, Lauren Sinner, will co-jury this exhibition, selecting work for inclusion in a comprehensive print and digital edition of the Fall 2025 Surface Design Journal. The publication will include full and detailed images, individual artist statements, and an essay by the juror addressing the context of the work in the exhibition and its place within the evolution of broader trends in contemporary textile and fiber-based arts. Artists whose work is selected will receive one complimentary print copy of Surface Design Journal.

JUROR BIOS: 

Nirmal Raja is an interdisciplinary artist who recently relocated to Cambridge, MA after living and working in Milwaukee for over 24 years. She had lived in India, South Korea, and Hong Kong before immigrating to the United States thirty years ago. She holds a BA in English Literature from St. Francis College in Hyderabad, India; a BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She has participated in solo and group shows in the Midwest, nationally, and internationally. She received several awards including “Graduate of The Decade” from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Raja received the Mary L. Nohl Fellowship for individual artists for 2020 and the Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year 2022 award from the Milwaukee Arts Board. Her art residencies include the Arts/Industry Residency at Kohler WI and Vermont Studio Center among others.

Lauren Sinner is a multidisciplinary artist, teacher, writer, and comedian based in Portland, Oregon. She is currently the Managing Editor of Surface Design Journal, Digital Media Manager at Portland Art Dealers Association, Mentor to MFA candidates, and independent contractor to many arts organizations throughout the country. She received her MFA in Applied Craft + Design from the joint program between the Oregon College of Art and Craft and the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Application Requirements

ENTRY PROCEDURE: Entries are to be submitted online through CaFÉ           

The following information is required for submission: 

1. Name, address, telephone, e-mail.

2. Up to 3 artworks (maximum 2 images per artwork - 1 overall image and 1 detail of each artwork).  Six images total may be submitted per entrant. Jurors request one overall and one detail of each full original artwork. 

3. Images - full and detail - JPEG only; Upload options for image files:

• File format: JPEG only
• File dimensions: 1200 pixels or larger on longest side
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
• File size: 5 MB maximum

NOTE: Uploaded images are scaled by the system and two monitor versions are created: a small 100-pixel thumbnail and a large 700-pixel image. These images are available for preview in your portfolio after uploading.

4. A brief artwork statement (up to 1,000 characters). 

• 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.

PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDELINES: As this call is for an exhibition in print, the quality of photographic documentation will impact the assessment of your work for inclusion in the Journal. All backgrounds should be neutral or grayscale unless color is part of the work. 

***NOTE: Selected artists must be able to provide print quality images of juried work (300 dpi, 6 x 8 inches min, jpg, png, or tiff). Failure to do so will result in removal from the exhibition in print.

AWARDS:  Seven Award Winners will each receive an expanded, 3-page spread in the Journal. This will be based on artists who submit multiple works that indicate clear visual and conceptual cohesion and point of view, as well as go above and beyond meeting the theme. Past examples of awards are: Innovative Installation, Material Exploration, Current Statement, Unconventional Materials, Modern Meets Traditional, Surface Design, Textiles & Technology, and more! 

IMPORTANT DATES: 

• May 16: CaFÉ Call for entry closes
• May22–June 19: Jurying process
• June 26: Artist notification of acceptance
• July 17:  Selected artists provide text/ images/captions for publication
• August 22: Design Phase for Journal begins
• Mid October Publication of Journal

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY FEE: 

• This exhibition is open to all artists, with discounted entry fee offered to SDA members and students.
• Artists may enter up to three artworks. 2D and 3D works are eligible, as is documentation of time-based media, performance, or conceptual work. Only photographic documentation of work will be considered. (i.e. no videos)
• Work must have been completed since January 1, 2023.
• Work executed under classroom/educational guidance or supervision is not eligible.
• Artists who have been included in prior EIPs are encouraged to apply, but submitted work should show a progression or be from a different body of work.

Information about SDA membership is available at the SDA website.

Join today to enter at the SDA member price and  and get 10% off your membership with the code SDAEXHIBITS

• $30 entry fee for SDA members, up to 3 artworks
• $45 entry fee for non-members, up to 3 artworks
• Student members and non-members can use the coupon code STUDENT25 for $10 on respective entry fees.