Call Description

This exhibition explores the intersection of traditional Appalachian craft and contemporary artistic practices, showcasing works that blend age-old techniques with modern materials and concepts.

Through metals, glass, fibers, wood, printing, and ceramics, artists connect to the region's cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship. This show highlights the cross-pollination of traditional and contemporary forms, where methods like wood carving, weaving, and pottery are reimagined through new materials, processes, and conceptual ideas.

By merging historical techniques with innovative approaches, the exhibition honors the lasting influence of Appalachian craft while embracing the transformative potential of today's artistic exploration. 

$1,000.00 Best-in-Show
Six 1st place prizes, one in each category, will be awarded a solo show and workshop opportunities in New Appalachia 2026.

Important dates for this exhibit:

• Exhibition dates: July 25 - August 30, 2025
• Deadline for entries: June 29, 2025
• Juror’s Notification emailed the week of: July 6
• Closing Reception: August 30, 2025 6:30-8:30pm
• Drop off accepted works dates: July 14 - 19
• Shipped works accepted July 14 - 19 (Shipping is at the cost of the artist return shipping label must be included)
• Pick up dates after the close of the exhibit: September 1 - 6 (unsold work will be shipped back to the artist at this time)

Our Juror this year is Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media's Executive Director, Kyle Houser. Houser (he/him) is an accomplished artist, educator, and arts administrator based in the vibrant cultural hub of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with over two decades of experience in art education.

Besides having a long history as an educator in public, private, international and higher education, he has worked as a Studio Manager for the School of Art at Chautauqua Institution in New York as well as PCA&M. He was the Gallery Director for Indiana University of Pennsylvania for four years while teaching a variety of courses and has been a visiting artist and guest lecturer for universities and arts organizations in Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina and Texas.

Throughout his career, Kyle has maintained a rigorous professional studio practice of his own. His ceramic works have been exhibited and sold through galleries, exhibitions, festivals, and tours since the mid-90s, and his most recent work includes mixed media-based painting and drawing. His art has been collected by private and public collectors across America and as far away as Australia and Croatia. Kyle received a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Studio Arts from Florida State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Application Requirements

Procedures & Requirements:

• All entries must be completed online by 11:59 MST on June 29th, 2025 through CaFÈ. You will need to set up a free account at callforentry.org
• A nonrefundable $30 entry fee is required at the time of application.
• All 2-dimensional works must be properly framed and a wire for hanging must be attached securely to the back. Absolutely no sawtooth hangers. We encourage you to frame your work simply.
• Work must not exceed 40 inches in any direction. Framed Two-dimensional works larger than 24 x 30 must be framed using plexiglass in place of single pane glass.
• All 3-dimensional works must be accompanied by documentation for their display if not on a standard pedestal.
• Stifel Fine Arts Center offers framing services. Get in touch with Brad Johnson at (bjohnson@oionline.com) or call him at 304-242-7700 for pricing information.
• No Installations will be accepted.
• Please make sure that your prices are correct in your CaFE portfolio. We will not accept prices changes once a piece is entered for application to this exhibit.
• You must submit a high-resolution image (300 dpi) image for the jury process. The Stifel Fine Arts Center will use submitted images of accepted works for concurrent online exhibit, documentation, the exhibit catalog, and promotional materials for this exhibit.
• Shipping materials will be kept for returning work. However, no incidental packaging including bubble wrap or paper will be kept from hand delivered work by Oglebay Institute. Only boxes, crates and bins with proper labels including the artist’s contact information and the name of the piece will be kept for repackaging. Boxes and such may include paper & wraps.
• Works left at Stifel Fine Arts Center more than 30 days past the pick-up dates (November 1) becomes the property of Stifel Fine Arts and will no longer be stored.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to visual artists 18 years and older residing in the Appalachian region, as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
   
• Artists may submit up to 3 works that have not been previously exhibited at the Stifel Fine Arts Center.