Artists are invited to apply for Uncommon Threads 2020.  his incredible art-to-wear event showcases the talent of fiber and jewelry artists. For fiber artists, it is an opportunity to showcase a collection of 3-5 garments on the runway and have additional pieces for sale at the event.   There are several artist booths available in the Boutique Area for artists wishing to be present and sell their work, or artists may submit up to 30 items into the Fine Line Managed Booth.  The boutique area provides a guaranteed clientele looking to shop for jewelry, hats, etc. Artists whose work is in the runway show and artists who put work in the Fine Line Managed Booth do not have to be present on the day.
This one-day art-to-wear event, held at the Q Center, 1405 North 5th Avenue. St. Charles Illinois, is open to all fiber and jewelry artists who reside in the United States.

Each artist may select one category from the following:

Runway Artist (with inclusion to the Fine Line Managed Booth)    See Section A
Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth                               See Section B  
Independent Artist Booth                                                           See Section C
Fine Line Managed Booth                                                           See Section D 
Please read the instructions very carefully.  Our image requirements have changed.

Runway artist awards:
Any artist who is accepted as a runway artist is eligible for the following awards:
Kavanagh Award, Best of Show, $250
Jurors' Choice Award, Best Body of Work, $200
People's Choice Award, $100

Section A
Runway Artist
Participation is open to all one-of-a-kind wearable art in any fiber-related media.  Work represented must be an original concept and executed by the artist.  All items must be for sale.  Jurors will select work based on originality and runway suitability.  When designing garments, please give some thought as to how they will look on the runway. 
If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies: 

• Artists may exhibit 3 to 5 women's and/or men's garments/ensembles on the runway. 
• Children's garments will not be accepted.
• Only garments in the media selected by the jurors will be accepted for the runway; e.g., do not submit handwoven if your application images were of knitwear. 
• All artists in this category are required to submit five (5) images.
• Images 1-4 should be of four different garments.
• Image 5 should be one detail or close up shot of image #4.
• Images need not be of garments to be shown but must represent the fiber media/style you intend to submit. 
• Images must be of work completed in the last two years. 
• Accepted Runway Artists without an Independent Artist Booth may (at no additional cost) submit up to 10 additional garments and up to 30 accessory items for sale in the Fine Line Managed Booth.
• See Section E for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Artists Committee reserves the right to make a final selection of the garments to be included on the runway. 
Receiving & removing runway garments & accessories
All runway and additional garments available for sale and accompanying paperwork must be received by Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  Artwork may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense.  The artist is responsible for return shipping charges.  Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.  Hand-delivered items are to be picked up by 5 p.m. on October 22, 2020.

Section B
Runway Artist and Independent Artist Booth
If you are applying for a runway spot, you can also apply for an Independent Artist Booth.  Your acceptance as a runway artist DOES NOT guarantee an Independent Artist Booth Space.    Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media.  A limited number of 10'x10' booths are available.  Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.  
If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

•  Artists may exhibit 3 to 5 women's and/or men's garments/ensembles on the runway. 
• Children's garments will not be accepted.
• Only garments in the media selected by the jurors will be accepted for the runway; e.g., do not submit handwoven if your application images were of knitwear. 
• All artists in this category are required to submit ten (10) images. The first five (5) will be used to Jury your runway application; the second five (5) will be used for your Independent Artist Booth.
• Images 1-4 (runway) should be of four different garments.
• Image 5 (runway) should be one detail or close up shot of image #4.
• Images 1-5 need not be of garments to be shown on the runway but must represent the fiber media you intend to submit.
• Images must be of work completed in the last two years.
• Images 6 - 9 (Independent Artist Booth), must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 10 must be an image of your booth space.  An image of your booth space is mandatory.  Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth.
•  Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $40 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due.   This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.  This fee may not apply if this event goes to a virtual platform.
• See Section E for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Artists Committee reserves the right to make a final selection of the garments to be included on the runway. 
Receiving & removing runway garments
All runway garments available for sale and accompanying paperwork must be received by Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  Artwork may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense.  The artist is responsible for return shipping charges.  Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.  Hand-delivered items are to be picked up by 5 p.m. on October 22, 2020.

Section C
Independent Artist Booth   
Participation is open to all wearable art of original concept in any fiber-related media.  A limited number of 10'x10' booths are available.  Space will be allocated by the Boutique Committee with all decisions final.  
If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

• Artists must submit five (5) images.
• Images 1- 4 must show the quality and type of work that will be sold in your booth space.
• Image 5 must be of your booth space.  An image of your booth space is mandatory.  Please enter 0.00 price and dimensions for this image.
• There is no limit to the number or price of items that you can sell in your booth
• Artists must staff their booths and be responsible for their inventories.
• If accepted by the Jury as an Independent Artist Booth, an additional $40 booth fee to reserve a booth will be due.   This fee will be due after acceptance into Uncommon Threads.  This fee may not apply if this event goes to a virtual platform.
• See Section E for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

Section D
Fine Line Managed Booth
Work exhibited must be a functional accessory of original concept and executed by the artist.  We define accessories as items that enhance a wardrobe such as scarves, shawls, jewelry, purses, hats, etc.
If you are applying under this category, the following criteria applies:

• You may submit up to 30 accessory items for sale.
• You do not have to be present on the day of the show. Fine Line volunteers will staff the Managed Booth.
• All items must be a functional accessory of original concept and executed by the artist.
• No copies are eligible.
• All items must be priced below $250.
• Artists must submit five (5) images
• The images must show the quality and type of work to be exhibited.
• See Section E for additional information that applies to ALL artists.

The Boutique Committee will make final selections of work to be used in the show.
Fine Line Managed Booth items and paperwork must be received by Wednesday, September 30, 2020.  Artwork may be hand-delivered to Fine Line or shipped at the artist's expense.  The artist is responsible for return shipping charges.  Shipping instructions will be provided upon acceptance.  Hand-delivered items are to be picked up by 5 p.m. on October 22, 2020.

Section E
The following criteria applies to ALL artists:

• All artists are asked to provide a brief artist statement.  This statement should provide insight into the artist's process and inspiration.  
• Usually, there is a $25 non-refundable jury fee to apply to Uncommon Threads.  In an effort to help artists at this time, we are able to waive the jury fee for both the runway and boutique artists as the fees for this year's Uncommon Threads will be underwritten by a patron of Fine Line. 
• All work must be for sale. Fine Line retains a 35% commission on all pieces sold.  Please consider this commission when pricing your work.
• ALL sales are handled by the central Fine Line Cashiers.
• Work sent for the runway, the Fine Line Managed Booth and the extra garment area will be insured while in the possession of Fine Line.  Artists are responsible for insuring their work while in transit. ​ 

Calendar

6-1-20              Online application deadline for all entries
Mid-June           Notification of accepted work mailed/emailed
7-1-20              Runway Letter of Intent due
8-13-20            Boutique Booth Options order form due
9-23-20            All Runway garments and documentation Due
9-30-20            All Fine Line Managed Booth items and documentation Due
10-18-20          Uncommon Threads event
10-22-20          Pickup of Runway garments and Fine Line Managed Booth items

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria