Call for Entries
Updated November 2024.
The call for entries, for our main exhibit in Indianopolis, is now open.
Due to the moving of the exhibit to late October 2025, we have extended the deadline to enter. The new deadline is March 14, 2025.
In case you have questions about the travel vs. main exhibit, we have prepared a visual presentation of the call for entries to help explain it!
In addition, we have a "Frequently Asked Questions" document for your guidance.
On January 12, 2024 at 2:00 EST, we hosted a meeting to explain and answer questions regarding our call for entries. If you missed it or wish to refresh your memory, here is the recording of the meeting. Watch Now.
Sacred Threads is a biennial exhibition that was established to provide a venue for quilters of all faiths who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey.
Sacred Threads is open to artists within the United States and Canada. (For artists living outside the US or Canada, we will be happy to include your work if you have a contact within the US that can receive your quilt following the exhibit. With an all-volunteer team and the challenges of international shipping, we can only ship back to the US and Canada.)
Exhibition Concept: Quilts should explore themes of joy, spirituality, peace/brotherhood, inspiration, grief, or healing. Quilts must be an original design or an original execution of a traditional pattern.
Sacred Threads Call for Entry:
Sacred Threads is excited to announce our call for entry for the 2025 Sacred Threads Exhibit in Indianapolis AND its Preview Travel Exhibit. The Preview Travel Exhibit will debut in Houston at the 2024 International Quilt Festival and then continue to travel throughout the summer of 2027. All pieces in the Preview Travel Exhibit will be shown at the main exhibit in Indianapolis.
As Sacred Threads transitions to a new team and location, we want to maintain the momentum of our travel exhibit and other venue opportunities. Therefore, our 2025 Travel Exhibit will debut before the main Indianapolis Exhibit.
The call for entries is now open.
Deadlines:
The deadline for the main exhibit has been exteneded to March 14, 2025 (midnight EST). Artists may enter up to two pieces regardless of any Travel Exhibit entries already entered.
For More Information:
Questions regarding exhibit: Barb Triscari betoncat@betoncat.com or Lisa Ellis lisa@ellisquilts.com.
Fees:
Indianapolis Exhibit is $20.00 for each entry, non-refundable.
Parameters:
Only quilted hangings will be considered. We use the Studio Art Quilt Associates definition of an art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure". Integration of non-fabric items is acceptable; however, 3D pieces, altered books, and items mounted on stretcher bars or framed cannot be accommodated.
Works prefer a minimum perimeter of 80"and maximum of 288"(sum of all sides). We use these parameters as guidelines. The maximum height or width is 108".
Hanging and Display:
Each quilt must have a 4" horizontal hanging sleeve and an identifying label on the back of the quilt. Quilts exhibited at previous Sacred Threads exhibits are not eligible.
Quilts requiring special support frames or entered with dowels, or which contain fragile or breakable embellishments will not be accepted for the show. We reserve the right to refuse quilts which are controversial or felt to be inappropriate to the theme of the exhibition.
Sacred Threads will make a list available to our visitors of quilts that are for sale. We will provide any interested parties with your sale price and contact information. We do not require a commission but appreciate a tax-deductible donation.
Jury Process:
The jury process will be performed from digital images only. Entrants will submit two images per entry (one overall view and one detail view). All images must be of publication quality. Poor images may disqualify your piece from jurying.
Each entry must also include an artist's statement of no more than 750 characters (including spaces) describing the story or the inspiration behind the quilt. The number of works included in the exhibit will depend on the number of entries submitted and the space available.
Digital Images:
Digital images must be saved as a high-quality JPEG file. Images must accurately reflect the appearance of the quilt. Any digital image correction, aside from cropping, should be done only to ensure accuracy, and should not artificially enhance the image. Jurors reserve the right to refuse any quilt that differs significantly from the image submitted.
An exhibition catalog will be published using the images provided, therefore, it is imperative that the images be of high quality.
Finished images should be at least 2400 pixels on the longest side. File size should be less than 12MB.
Notification of Acceptance:
Artists will be notified of the jurors’ decision by email.
Preview Travel Exhibit:
The jury will complete selection of the Preview Travel Exhibit by May 30, 2024. Artists will be notified by June 15, 2024. Accepted quilts will need to be shipped to Sacred Threads by July 15, 2024 (updated in May 2024).
Indianapolis Main Exhibit:
The jury will complete selection for the Main Indianapolis Exhibit March 30, 2025. Artists will be notified by April 15, 2025. Accepted quilts will need to be shipped to Sacred Threads and information about shipping will be available once more is known about the Indianapolis venue.
Once the actual work is received, Sacred Threads reserves the right to disqualify any work from the exhibit which is soiled, torn, poorly crafted or if it differs from the original digital image submitted for jurying.
Shipping of Accepted Work:
Works must be shipped to and from the exhibit at the quilter's expense. No C.O.D. deliveries will be accepted. All quilts must be shipped in a sturdy, reusable, well-labeled box. Artists will include a pre-paid return shipping label.
The acceptance information includes instructions on packing your quilt for shipping and for individuals wishing to hand deliver and pick up their quilts.
If the accepted work is sold prior to the exhibition, the entrant must make arrangements with the new owner to make the work available for the exhibition. No quilt accepted for the exhibition may be withdrawn prior to the completion of the exhibit.
Insurance:
Entrants are responsible for insurance during shipping to and from the exhibition. Quilts will be insured by Sacred Threads for the duration of the exhibition for a maximum value of $1,000. Additional insurance will be provided only for quilts with a certified appraisal of over $1,000. Please include the written appraisal when you ship your quilt.
REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE |
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| INFORMATION | PREVIEW TRAVELING EXHIBIT (2024-2027) | INDIANAPOLIS SHOW (2025) | |||
| Call for Entry | Closed | May 1, 2024 | |||
| Entry Deadline | April 30, 2024 Midnight EDT | March 14, 2025 Midnight EST (extended) | |||
| Notice of Acceptance | June 15, 2024 | June 14, 2025 (extended) | |||
| Entry Delivery Date | July 15, 2024 (updated in May 2024) | TBD | |||
| Cost Per Entry | $15 | $20 | |||
| Number of Entries | 2 | 2 | |||
| Size Requirements | Maximum Height or Width 38" | Maximum Height or Width 108" | |||
| Preferred Minimum Perimeter 80" (Guideline) | Preferred Minimum Perimeter 80" (Guideline) | ||||
| Preferred Maximum Perimeter 288" (Guideline) | |||||
| Hanging | 4" Sleeve | 4" Sleeve | |||
| Label | Minimum: Name, Piece Name, Date | Minimum: Name, Piece Name, Date | |||
| Digital Image Size Pixals | Minimum: 2400 Pixels | Minimum: 2400 Pixels | |||
| Digital Image Size File | Less Than 12 MB | Less Than 12 MB | |||
| Digital Images Number | 1 Overall and 1 Detail | 1 Overall and 1 Detail | |||