2021 Materials Hard & Soft call for entries

About the exhibition

The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 34th annual Materials: Hard + Soft International Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987 and was originally initiated by area artist Georgia Leach Gough. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. Since 2017, the exhibition has expanded to include works by international artists. To enter, see https://dentonarts.com/mhscall

2021 JUROR – Pablo Barrera, oklahoma contemporary

Pablo Barrera is Oklahoma Contemporary’s inaugural Curatorial Fellow. He collaborates with local art communities to produce exhibitions and explore innovative strategies to support formal/informal learning of art. He is committed to raising public awareness of Indigenous culture and generating gallery experiences that invite audiences of all backgrounds to engage with art. Pablo has independently curated shows in London, Seoul and New York.

Our entry deadline for the 2021 exhibition is September 30, 2020. Please review the upcoming schedule below for more information on the next steps in the competition.  A downloadable 2021 Prospectus is available for entry guidelines and procedures questions. Entries can be submitted online or through the mail. 

AWARDS
The Greater Denton Arts Council will provide Juror Awards in the amounts of $1,000, $750, $500 and $250. Winners will be determined by the juror and will be announced at the opening reception of the exhibition on February 5, 2021.

ELIGIBLE MEDIA
Works produced in any of the craft media: clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, or any combination of craft media, are acceptable. Entries must be the complete work of the submitting artist. Works can be a collaboration piece, all collaborators must be listed in the space provided on the entry form. Local, national, and international artists are encouraged to apply. Kits or commercially designed works will not be accepted. All work must have been completed within the past two years (2018-2020) and not previously exhibited at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center.

NUMBER OF ENTRIES + ENTRY FEE
Each artist is limited to three (3) entries. There is a $30 (USD) non-refundable fee, for up to three (3) entries. Payments must be submitted online at the time of application.

SIZE LIMITATIONS
All work must be ready for installation. Submissions are restricted to a weight limit of no more than 75 pounds. GDAC reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex installation or assembly problems.

DEADLINES AND EXHIBITION DATES

September 30, 2020 | Deadline for acceptance of online entry materials (by 11:59 PM)

November 14, 2020| Notification forms sent to all artists

December 6, 2020 | Artist contracts are due

January 4 – 16, 2021 | Shipped and hand-delivered artwork due at the Arts Center

February 5, 2021 | Opening Reception 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Award Ceremony 7:00 PM.

February 5 – May 8, 2021 | Exhibition on view at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center

May 9 – 29, 2021 | De-installation and return of artwork

For additional questions about the competition and exhibition, contact [email protected]