Call Description

Umpqua Valley Arts is proud to present an open call for artists to submit to our upcoming exhibit: Malleable. 

Soft Sculpture in art refers to three-dimensional works made from flexible materials like cloth, foam, or rubber. These sculptures can sometimes take a mixed-media approach, and are often malleable with drooping, sagging, and draping characteristics. In some cases, they even seem to float once installed. Soft Sculpture often challenges the traditional notions of sculpture, which are often made with hard and oftentimes more durable materials which make them rigid as a result. The mediums used in the realm of soft sculpture often evokes notions that their more permanent counterparts do not. They are persistent rather than permanent. These materials all emphasize natural forces like gravity, air, and in some cases even heat. In other contrasting scenarios, they also have metaphorical and metaphysical implications that harder materials do not achieve. 

Malleable is a juried exhibition emphasizing/focusing on soft sculpture art. It is open to media and modes of making that emphasize/focus on soft materials. Subject matter may vary, but the emphasis will be on works that use soft materials in the execution. Acceptable media can include (but is not limited to) cloth, foam, rubber, plastic, fiber, paper, wax, sand, and other similar materials. 

Artworks for this exhibition are chosen by a team made up of UVA Staff, the UVA Gallery Committee whose members embody the organization's mission and our exhibition guidelines/policies, and professional artists working/residing in the Pacific Northwest with professional practice and experience that relates to the subject of the exhibition.

Artwork may be for sale, or be labeled with NFS (Not For Sale) if requested by the artist. UVA commission rates are 30% for UVA members and 40% for non-members.

Exhibition Calendar: 

• Submission Deadline: March 27th, 2026
  IMPORTANT NOTE: Entries close at 11:59PM Mountain Time, or 10:59PM Pacific Time.
• Artists Notified: No later than April 21st, 2026
• Art Delivery to UVA: May 25th-26th, 2026
• Opening Reception: May 29th, 2026
• Exhibit Ends: August 14th, 2026
• Artwork Pick-Up: August 17th, 2026
• Artwork Shipped: No later than September 4th 2026

Application Requirements

All entries are digitally submitted with digital jpeg files through CaFE. Submissions made using slides, links to websites, physical photographs, paper applications, or resume/CV will not be accepted for jurying. If this is your first time using the CaFE system, we recommend allowing at least an hour to create a CaFE account, upload files, and complete your application.  

CaFE’s upload requirements are as follows: 

• File format: JPEG only
• File dimensions: No smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
• File size: up to 5 MB maximum

IMPORTANT: Each artist may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. If submitting more than one image per piece to show the jury multiple angles of the work, please limit the number of images per piece to 2. 

If you have any difficulties with the Call for Entry system, please reach out to the Call for Entry customer support first, then reach out to the Exhibitions Coordinator at ashley@uvarts.com for further assistance.

Eligibility Criteria

• All entries must be submitted through Call for Entry. No paper, email, or mailed applications will be accepted.
• Eligible to all established, mid-career and emerging artists in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. IMPORTANT: If you recently moved to any one of those three states, please make sure your Call for Entry profile reflects the state you currently live in to ensure your eligiblity.
• Artists may submit up to (3) entries. IMPORTANT: If submitting more than one image per piece to show the jury multiple angles of the work, please limit the number of images per piece to 2.
• Entries must be created with soft sculpture materials such as cloth, fur, foam, rubber, plastic, paper, fiber or other similar nonrigid materials. Works may include support and structural components that are made with a more rigid material, but at least 50% of the work must be made with nonrigid materials. (Please reach out to the email at the bottom of this section with any questions about material eligibility).
• Artwork must have been completed within the last three years and not previously exhibited at UVA.
• All artwork must not exceed 60" on the longest side, fit through a standard 3-foot wide door, and weigh less than 50 lbs. (Some exceptions apply, please reach out to the email at the bottom of this section with any questions about size eligibility).
• Fine art photography prints or video of time-based art or performance art that utilizes soft materials are eligible, but must be accompanied by the sculpture used in the time-based piece or performance.
• Hanging sculptures are accepted, but must have hanging wire or D-Rings (at least 1/8" wide) attached to the back so it can hang from UVA's hanging hardware. IMPORTANT: Sawtooth, French cleats, or other similar hardware that will damage UVA's galleries or floors is NOT accepted.

For questions about the exhibition, eligibility criteria, or rules please email: ashley@uvarts.com.