Call Description

Quilts=Art=Quilts

Quilts=Art=Quilts is an international juried quilt exhibition at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. The Art Center has been a longstanding proponent of quilts as a visual arts medium and has been presenting quilts in a gallery setting since 1981.  

Jurors select quilts based on overall quality of design, visual impact and originality.  Prizes are awarded, including $1,000 for Best of Show.

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.

The fee for non-members is $35. The entry fee for current members of the Schweinfurth Art Center is $30. To get the membership discount you must call the Art Center at 315-255-1553 for the promo code.

Jurors:

Petra Fallaux

Dutch native Petra Fallaux is an artist, writer, teacher, and curator, based in Pittsburgh. As an artist, her approach embodies her credo of “color, shape, and simplicity.” Her artwork has been described as “complex, but not complicated.” Contemporary painting, graphic design, and architecture are major influences. Her recent series of printed textiles has been widely exhibited: whole cloth monoprints, screen and paper lamination prints are layered with additional dyes to evoke the color depth of both the coastal and polder landscapes of her home country, the Netherlands. Her recent essay writing focuses on individual textile artists for catalogues and other publications.

After receiving degrees in psychology and film studies in the Netherlands, Petra moved to the United States where she earned a Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Upon graduation, the university hired Petra to direct its art galleries. She curated well over one hundred exhibitions in a variety of media ranging from quilts, paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, video, architecture, design, to multi-media and site-specific installations. Since 2003 Petra co-directs an award-winning architectural firm, Springboard Design, whose work includes museum, exhibition, and public interest design.

For more information about Petra and her work, visit her website: petrafallaux.com

Paula Kovarik

Paula Kovarik is a full-time artist and fiber art teacher based in Memphis, TN. She holds a degree in design and art history from Southern Illinois University and spent over 30 years as a professional designer before transitioning to a full-time art practice. Kovarik creates intricate, story-rich fiber artworks that fuse intuitive stitching with conceptual depth. Her award-winning work has been recognized by Quilt National, Quilts=Art=Quilts, World of Threads, and FiberArt Now—Excellence in Fibers. She has been profiled in Smithsonian American Craft and FiberArt Now magazines. Kovarik’s quilts are featured in major publications, including Art Quilts Unfolding – 50 Years of Innovation and Art Quilts International: Abstract & Geometric. Her work is part of several permanent collections, including the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE, the Memphis International Airport, and various private collections.

Dates to Remember

Entry Deadline: August 5, 2025

Notification of Jury Results: September 5, 2025

Delivery of Quilts: Sept. 29 - Oct. 3, 2025

Artist Reception & Awards: Saturday Oct. 25, 2025 4:00pm-6:00pm

Exhibition: October 25, 2025-January 4, 2026

Return shipping of quilts: Beginning January 7, 2026
 

Selection Process

An emphasis is placed on overall quality of design, originality and visual impact.  Preliminary acceptance will be granted on the basis of the digital image submission.  Prizes will be awarded for excellence in design and workmanship in multiple categories, including $1,000 for Best in Show. Prizes are determined after the exhibit is installed.
 

Definitions & Conditions of Entry

• A quilt is a fabric sandwich comprised of at least two layers:  a top, a back and usually a filling. These are held together with quilting or tying threads. Integration of non-fabric items is acceptable.
• Up to two entries of original work per person are permitted.
• Preliminary acceptance will be granted based on digital images. Final acceptance will be granted after receipt and examination of quilt.
• The jurors and staff of the Schweinfurth Art Center reserve the right to refuse any accepted entry for exhibition if it does not contain the same qualities as the submitted image.
• Quilts must measure a minimum of 900 square inches total (height x width=square inches).  The vertical dimensions of any single piece may not exceed 108 inches.
• Quilts must have been completed in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025.
• Quilts must be in pristine condition and be show ready.
• Quilts with pre-programmed computerized machine quilting (that is not designed by the artist) are not eligible.
• Quilts made or derived from kits, workshops, classes or commercial patterns are not eligible.
• Quilts must have a continuous 3” wide sleeve attached to the back of the top of the quilt. Exceptions are made if appropriate means of hanging or display is provided.
• Quilts must be available from October 25, 2025- January 4, 2026.
• Quilts previously exhibited at the Schweinfurth Art Center are not eligible.
• Quilts that do not meet conditions of entry will not be accepted.
• The Art Center will retain a 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition.  An insurance value and a sale price, which includes commission (unless the quilt is not for sale), must be included in the application.
   

Entry Fee

The entry fee for non-members is $35. The entry fee for Members of the Schweinfurth Art Center is $30. Entry fees must be paid online with a credit card at the time of entry. To receive your membership discount you must call the Art Center at 315-255-1553 for the promo code.
 

Notification of Acceptance

Notification of acceptance will be emailed September 5, 2025  

Delivery/Retrieval

All quilts must arrive at Schweinfurth Art Center between Monday, Sept. 29 and Saturday Oct. 4. Hand delivery will be accepted within the same time dates during regular hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. We cannot accept deliveries on Sunday. Failure to provide an accepted work will result in the artist’s being ineligible for future exhibitions.

Artists are responsible for packing, shipping and insurance of accepted work to and from the Art Center. Work must be shipped in a substantial, reusable container. All continental US based artists must provide return shipping forms for quilts that need to be returned to artists by the Art Center via mail. Alaska/Hawaii, other US territories, and international artists may ship their work one way, and the Art Center will invoice them for the return shipping.

Quilts may be picked up from Tuesday, January 6, through Friday, January 9, 2026, from 10am-5pm or by appointment. Shipped work will be returned by mail beginning Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Insurance

Quilts must have an insurance value indicated on the entry form.  It must be defendable in the event of a claim. The Art Center reserves the right to require a certified appraisal for any quilt valued over $1,000.

The 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.

Application Requirements

Digital Images

All images must be submitted through callforentry.org If you have trouble uploading your files- you must contact Call for Entry for support.

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE UPLOAD-READY FILE FORMATS

File Type: JPEG or JPG only.

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

File Size: Under 5 MB.

Color Profile: sRGB
 

Eligibility Criteria

Artwork must be created within the last three years.