No Boundaries 2026

Artists are invited to interpret the theme “No Boundaries” in an original piece of fiber-based artwork. Boundaries can keep things in or keep things out. They may be physical, geographical, or even emotional. This exhibition asks artists to explore the creation of art with “No Boundaries.” Artwork will be considered in any media but MUST contain a minimum of 25% fiber components or fiber techniques. Entries will be accepted from September 2, 2025 - February 2, 2026, on www.callforentry.org. Each piece should be accompanied by a brief artist/process statement of up to 150 words.

Patty Kennedy-Zafred has been working with textiles for 30+ years, creating provoking narratives using fabric, dyes, and ink to develop a dialogue with the viewer. Her work has won prizes at the International Quilt Festival, including the prestigious Masters Award and at American Quilt Society competitions. She was recently honored as a Master Visual Artist in Pittsburgh, as part of the Arts Legacy Project.

Awards will be selected by the juror with cash prizes for first, second, and third place. In addition, the first place (Best in Show) artist will be given an opportunity to work with the Museum Exhibition Committee and Curator to be considered for a solo exhibition. Honorable mentions will be awarded at the discretion of the juror.

• All entries must be a minimum of 25% fiber or fiber techniques
• There is no minimum size requirement
• Maximum size is 66” by 66” for wall-hung work and a 3” depth
• 3-dimensional work may be submitted with a length-by-width-by-height to not exceed 120 inches total.
  • Please photograph the artwork as it will be displayed
  • Please provide information on the size of the pedestal needed to display your piece, pedestals will be provided by the museum
• Wall-hung pieces must arrive “show ready” with hanging apparatus attached
  • Must hang without distortion either with stretcher bars, stitched-on sleeve, or other integrated hanging system
  • Artist must provide dowel or slat with eye hooks
    • Slats or dowels should not extend more than ½ an inch beyond the artwork.
  • Framed work must be securely wired and ready to hang
    • No saw tooth hangers are permitted
• Maximum weight for any work to be hung, either 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional, is 45 pounds

• Each work requires a separate entry, do not combine your works into one entry
  • Use the coupon codes Entry2 and Entry3 to enter your second and third pieces without paying an entry fee

Image Requirements:

• One (1) overall digital image for each piece of artwork
• One (1) detail image for each piece of artwork
• Images must be saved as high-quality JPEG file
• Finished images should be 2500 pixels on the long side with files no larger than 5MB
• Image file name must be in this format: artist last name, artist first initial, title of work, and either overall or detail. For example: LeeDMyQuiltOverall.jpg
  • There should be no spaces in the file name

Selection:

• All decisions of the juror are final
• VQM reserves the right to refuse to exhibit or to remove from the exhibition any work which upon receipt is deemed unsuitable including
  • Poor quality
  • Presence of hazardous material
  • Misrepresentation in the entry form or digital images
• The Virginia Quilt Museum’s Artistic Freedom Policy guides the selection process
• Selected artwork must be available from March 19 - June 27, 2026
• Artists will be notified of the juror’s selection via email on February 18, 2026

Shipping and Insurance:

Accepted artwork must be delivered as follows:

• In-person deliveries accepted:
  • Friday, March 20, 2026 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Artists hand-delivering their work must unpack and remove all packing materials from the museum
• Mail Delivery
  • Work must arrive between March 13 and March 21, 2026
  • Selected artists are responsible for packing, shipping, and insurance in transit both ways
    • A prepaid shipping label is required for return shipping in the same packing material it was received in
    • International artists are also responsible for any tariffs assessed on their pieces
• All artwork will be handled with extreme care.
• VQM insures accepted work while in its possession at 60% of the retail price or the declared insurance value of not-for-sale works.

Artwork for Sale

• The artist will receive 60% of the sale price.
• The Virginia Quilt Museum will collect and report all sales tax.
• VQM will notify the artists as soon as possible of the purchase.
• VQM will remit payment of 60% of the sales price to the artist within 15 days of the exhibit’s closing and arrange for delivery of artwork to the buyer.

Calendar

• Entry Submission opens September 2, 2025
• Entry Submission closes February 10, 2026
• Notification to artists by February 27, 2026
• Work arrives March 13 - March 21, 2026
• Hand delivery days March 20 & March 21, 2026
  • Between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
• Exhibit Install March 30, 2026
• Exhibit Opens March 31, 2026
• Awards Reception April 4, 2026 3:00 - 5:00 pm
• Exhibit Closes June 27, 2026
• Exhibit take down June 29, 2026
• In-person pick-up June 29 or June 30, 2026
  • Between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
• Works shipped back to artists on July 14 & 15, 2026

For any questions please contact Kate Read, Curator, at curator@vaquiltmuseum.org 

Artists will be required to provide the following information when submitting an entry. 

• Name
• Contact Information
• Title of Piece
• Description
• Materials
• Dimensions
• Techniques
• Artist Statement (1,000 character limit)
• Is this piece a collaboration?
  • If yes, please list all collaborators and what they did
• $35/$45 entry fee, paid online or via check mailed to the museum

• Entry is open to the general public.
  • Museum membership is not required but the entry fee is discounted for members of the Virginia Quilt Museum.
  • Become a member here.
• The non-refundable fee for entering up to three (3) works is $35 for VQM members and $45 for non-members.
  • Each work requires a separate entry, do not combine your works into one entry
  • Use the coupon codes Entry2 and Entry3 to enter your second and third pieces without paying an entry fee
• Artwork submitted for consideration must not have been exhibited at the Virginia Quilt Museum previously.
• Artwork for sale is encouraged, however, not-for-sale works may be entered.
  • The Virginia Quilt Museum takes a 40% commission on artwork that is for sale.
• Images of selected work may be reproduced for publicity and marketing purposes without further permission of the artist.