EARTH MATTERS
SDA 2021 Juried Member Exhibition
September 3–October 30, 2021
Watermark Art Center
Marley & Sandy Kaul Gallery
505 Bemidji Avenue N
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601

EXHIBITION: Members of the Surface Design Association (SDA) are invited to submit work for EARTH MATTERS: Surface Design Association Juried Member Exhibition. The exhibition will be on view from September 3rd through October 30th, 2021 at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. The juror is Nnenna Okore. The exhibition includes awards. Entries may be submitted online from March 15, 2021 to June 15, 2021 at CaFÉ.

GOAL: While the term matter bears different scientific and geologic connotations, EARTH MATTERS, as an exhibition theme, presents an expanded and nuanced perspective on issues relating to current ecological conditions that have been shaped by human habits. Threading the needle through divergent creative views, practices, and materials that are sensitive to nature and planetary preservation, the exhibition will explore how ecological considerations are factored into the making of art. How can we make the earth or earth materials matter, while enabling innovative processes in artmaking? How do we address the issues that face the planet in ways that acknowledge our complicated relationship with manmade and natural environments? The exhibition will aim at not only catalyzing multilayered perspectives that present ways to critically think about and understand earth matters but raise important questions about how we cultivate eco-based approaches that engage and consider different ecologies.

All SDA members working in all media are encouraged to apply. EARTH MATTERS will celebrate works that push the evolution of textiles through the use of color, design, processes, and meanings. Works chosen will demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision and innovation, and will include the best of contemporary work by SDA members.

JUROR: Nnenna Okore was born in Australia, raised in Nigeria and works in the United States. Throughout her long career as an artist-researcher-teacher, she has focused on ecological issues steeped in artistic practice, pedagogy and social engagements. As a Chicago art practitioner, Okore has been involved in numerous participatory art projects and exhibitions designed to produce dialogue, artmaking and an awareness of current environmental issues. In her most recent art project, she uses bioplastic and environmentally friendly materials from food waste to create new art works. Okore is passionate about dialoguing on environmental issues and is currently involved in collaborative environmental projects in Australia.

Nnenna Okore is a Professor at Chicago’s North Park University. She earned her B.A degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (First Class Honors) in 1999, and her MA and MFA at the University of Iowa, in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Added to numerous national and international awards, Okore is a recipient of the 2012 Fulbright Award. Her works were featured in important exhibitions at the Museum of Art and Design, New York; Tang Museum of Art, Skidmore College, NY; Museum of Contemporary African Diasporic Art, New York; Spelman Museum of Fine Art, Atlanta; Museu Afro Brasil, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, NY, and Musée des Civilizations Noires, Dakar, Senegal. Okore is currently in view at the Cleveland Museum of Art and will be part of the upcoming Brugge Triennial Exhibition.

ELIGIBILITY & ENTRY FEES: This exhibition is open to all SDA members. Up to two artworks may be submitted per artist. 2D, 3D, and video works are eligible. Entries must be original work completed after 1/1/2019. Work executed under classroom or educational guidance or supervision is not eligible. 

Entry fee: $40 SDA members/$20 SDA student-members. (Interested in becoming an SDA member? Join here.)

Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. No substitutions may be made.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Name, address (and shipping address if different), telephone, e-mail.

2. Up to 2 artworks total may be submitted (2D, 3D, or Video). Jurors request one overall and at least one detail of each full original artwork. Four images total may be submitted per entrant.

3. 2D & 3D: Full and detail images - Upload options for image files:

4. File format: JPEG only

5. File dimensions: No smaller than 1200 pixels or greater on the longest side

6. File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)

7. File size: 5 MB maximum

8. Video: not to exceed 100 MB per sample.

9. A brief artist statement (50-100 words, maximum). Since this is a blind jurying process, please do not include identifying information in the statement.

    

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION: Entries that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. Artists who have been included in prior SDA exhibits are encouraged to apply, but work should show a progression or be from a different body of work. Works previously exhibited with SDA will not be considered. No substitutions for accepted work may be made. Accepted artwork that differs significantly from image in online submission may be disqualified. Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. 

Wall Mounted Artwork

• Diptychs and triptychs are considered single artworks.
• Hanging work should arrive ready to hang with all hanging rods and devices included.

3-Dimensional Artwork

• Ceiling suspended work: Individual components must not weigh more than 25lbs. 

Additional Information about submissions

• Artists must provide all equipment (ex. computer, cords, projectors) if there is an electrical component to the work.
• Please include written instructions and photos for complicated installations.
• ​Work that is unstable, unusually fragile, or does not meet the installation requirements may be disqualified.

INSURANCE: Work is insured once in the possession of Watermark Art Center. Insurance value is based on 50% of the retail value of the work. 

SHIPPING: Complete shipping instructions will be sent with the acceptance notification letter. Artists are responsible for shipping costs (including insurance while in transit) both to and from the Watermark Art Center.  All artwork must arrive at Watermark Art Center between mid-July and August 20, 2021.  Unsold work will be returned by November 20th, 2021. Artists should submit a FedEx or UPS account number, or prepaid return shipping label for return of their work.

PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDELINES: Artists are strongly encouraged to submit images that present the artwork to best advantage. Images should give a sense of how the piece “sits” or “hangs.” Detail photographs should show the technical excellence of the work or highlight special areas of interest. By submitting artwork to the exhibition, artists give permission for work to be photographed for advertising and publicity purposes during the exhibition. 

AWARDS:

First Place                                  $500
Second place                             $300
Third place                                 $150
SDA Award of Excellence          AWARD

SALES:  Price and/or value of an accepted entry may not be changed after it is set. Artwork not for sale should be marked “NFS” and include the value of work for insurance purposes. A 50% gallery commission will be charged for sold work. Watermark Art Center will handle sales transactions while work is on exhibit and ship work to buyer after the exhibition.  Sold artwork must remain for the duration of the exhibition. Payments to the artist for sold work will be made within 30 days after the exhibition closes. Buyer will pay for shipping of sold artwork.

IMPORTANT DATES:
March 15, 2021           Entries submitted through CaFÉ
June 15, 2021              Entry deadline
July 20, 2021               Notification of acceptance
August 20, 2021          Selected artwork due at Watermark Art Center
September 3, 2021      Exhibitions opens
TBD/Online Program   Opening reception
October 30, 2021         Exhibition closes
November 20, 2021     Shipped artwork is returned

Surface Design Association, a 501c3 non-profit textile arts organization founded in 1977, is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of textile-inspired art and design through member-supported benefits including publications, exhibitions and conferences. Visit us at www.surfacedesign.org. For questions, contact info@surfacedesign.org.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria