Crafting Tomorrow

SDA, in collaboration with LA Artcore and Textile Arts LA, is organizing this small-group exhibition featuring bodies of work by selected artists in a gallery exhibition at LA Artcore, Los Angeles, California.  

THEME: Art can be a portal to other worlds. It can offer us glimpses into the future and ways to shape the present. Crafting Tomorrow invites submissions from artists whose work explores what our lives, communities, and environment could look like in many possible futures. A day, a year, or a hundred years from now, how will visions of tomorrow trace back to today and reach even further into the past? How can our current engagement with urgent issues influence these trajectories? Whether an  artist’s vision is utopian, dystopian, or somewhere in between, these creative projections offer us ways to understand where we are now as much as where we are going tomorrow.

ENTRY DEADLINE: June 16, 2025

EXHIBITION DATES: October 10 to November 2, 2025

JUROR Fafnir Adamites

CRAFTING TOMORROW

SDA 2025 Small Group Exhibition Opportunity

October 10 - November 2 , 2025, LA Artcore, 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Held in partnership with LA Artcore and Textile Arts LA, this small-group exhibition will feature bodies of work by selected artists in a gallery exhibition at LA Artcore, Los Angeles, California. Selected works will build on the theme of Crafting Tomorrow and be juried by Fafnir Adamites.  

Art can be a portal to other worlds. It can offer us glimpses into the future and ways to shape the present. Crafting Tomorrow invites submissions from artists whose work explores what our lives, communities, and environment could look like in many possible futures. A day, a year, or a hundred years from now, how will visions of tomorrow trace back to today and reach even further into the past? How can our current engagement with urgent issues influence these trajectories? Whether an  artist’s vision is utopian, dystopian, or somewhere in between, these creative projections offer us ways to understand where we are now as much as where we are going tomorrow.

Highlighting fiber and textile-based materials and techniques, including traditional and cross-disciplinary practices, experimental processes, and material innovation, this group exhibition will showcase bodies of work from 3–5 artists who are “crafting tomorrow”.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• June 16 (11:59 pm MT) - Call closes
• August 1 - Notification to artists
• October 3-4 - Work due at gallery
• October 10 - Exhibition opens
• November 2 - Exhibition closes
• November 10 - Artwork returned

JUROR: Using traditional craft processes such as feltmaking, weaving and papermaking, Fafnir Adamites (they/them) creates sculptural and installation work that serves as a meditation on trauma, memory and the legacy of emotional turmoil inherited from past generations. Fafnir holds an MFA degree from the Fiber and Material Studies Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BA in Photography and Women’s Studies from UMass Amherst. Fafnir is currently Assistant Professor in the Fiber Area at California State University, Long Beach and has taught workshops and intensives at Arrowmont School of Art and Craft, Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program and Women’s Studio Workshop.

 ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS:

• Diptychs and triptychs are considered single artworks.
• Hanging work should arrive ready to hang with all hanging rods and devices included.
• 2-D works cannot exceed 8’ tall
• 3-D works cannot exceed 12’ in width or length.
• Ceiling-suspended work is acceptable, up to 15 lbs.
• 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.
• Artists must provide all equipment (ex. computer, cords, projectors, headphones, speakers) if there is an electrical component to the work.

Entries that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. No substitutions for accepted work may be made. All work submitted must be available for the duration of the exhibition. Accepted artwork that differs significantly from image in online submission may be disqualified.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: 

Entries will be juried by application. Artists should submit 3-7 artworks to be considered together, along with a short artist statement on the entire body of work. All or a selection of the submitted artworks may be accepted.

To be considered for this solo exhibition opportunity, please submit the following materials through CaFÉ by June 16. 2025:

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

2. 3-7 artworks total may be submitted (2D, 3D, audio, video). Juror requests one overall and at least one detail of each full original artwork. Fourteen images total may be submitted per entrant.

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

• File format: JPEG only
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
• File size: 5MB maximum

4. Video: not to exceed 100 MB per sample

5. Audio: Not to exceed 10 MB per sample

6. A brief artist statement (500-800 words, cannot exceed 5,000 characters)

• Please note that the artist statement should address the artist's overall practice.
• Within each artwork submission, there is a description field which should include additional information about the specific piece of artwork (i.e. method, concept, etc.). Artists are highly encouraged to complete the description field as it provides important context for the juror.

INSURANCE: LA Artcore provides insurance coverage of up to $400 per artwork while work is in the care of the gallery.  Invited artists will be required to complete a gallery agreement, which includes insurance details. Artists are responsible for insurance during shipping to and from the gallery.

SHIPPING: Complete shipping instructions will be sent with the acceptance notification letter. Artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from LA Artcore. All artwork must arrive at LA Artcore between October 3-4, 2025. Artists should submit a prepaid return shipping label for the 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.

SALES: LA Artcore will facilitate the sale of artwork by putting an interested buyer directly in touch with the artist. Artists are responsible for completing sales and making arrangements for pick-up or shipping of sold work at the end of the exhibition. Sold artwork must remain for the duration of the exhibition. It is recommended that a 35% donation of each sale be made to LA Artcore.  Artwork exhibited may be listed as not for sale (NFS).

ELIGIBILITY: Artists working in all media are encouraged to apply, whether or not they are SDA or Textile Arts LA members. Crafting Tomorrow will celebrate works with a fibers sensibility. This includes works made with fiber and textile-based materials and techniques, traditional and cross-disciplinary practices, experimental processes, and material innovation. Works chosen will demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision representing the best of contemporary work in the field.

Each artist may submit from three to seven pieces. 2D, 3D, video, and audio works are eligible. 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.

Entries that do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered. Accepted works must be available for the duration of the exhibition. No substitutions may be made.

ENTRY FEE: $30 SDA & Textile Arts LA members, $45 non-members. Not an SDA Member? Join today and get 10% your membership with the code SDAEXHIBITS

SDA, 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 events. Visit us at www.surfacedesign.org. For questions, contact info@surfacedesign.org.

LA Artcore is a non-profit art space dedicated to the creative exploration, discovery, and expression of Los Angeles and global residents while supporting the careers of established and emerging contemporary artists. Artcore reflects Los Angeles' global perspectives by engaging contemporary artists as the visual and performing conduits of and for the residents and communities in which they live, work, and serve. 

Textile Arts LA is a member supported nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting the textile arts and artists in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.  We highlight and promote the local textile arts community, organize original programming and events, and provide helpful resources to our members.