T3%+!le$: The Language of Fiber

T3%+!le$: The Language of Fiber

SDA's 2026 Juried Exhibition

Artists are invited to submit work for T3%+!le$: The Language of Fiber which will be on view from May 30 to August 15, 2026 at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY. Entries may be submitted through March 16, 2026.

This exhibition, playfully titled T3%+!le$, explores language in all its expressive forms: written, spoken, and illustrative. SDA seeks artists whose work engages broadly with ideas of communication—from poetry and prose to computer code, indexing, and archiving—as it relates to the grammar of textiles and the vocabulary of fiber. Artists working in text- and sound-based works, alternative signs and symbols, and processes that document making, individual moments, or longer histories are encouraged to apply. Submissions should evoke responses, provoke thought, and foster connections between textiles and language. 

JUROR: Diana Weymar

T3%+!le$: The Language of Fiber

SDA's 2026 Juried Exhibition

May 30–August 15, 2026
Schweinfurth Art Center
205 Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021

Artists are invited to submit work for T3%+!le$: The Language of Fiber which will be on view from May 30 to August 15, 2026 at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, NY. Entries may be submitted through March 16, 2026. Juried by Diana Weymar, this exhibition includes awards. 

EXHIBITION THEME: This exhibition, playfully titled T3%+!le$, explores language in all its expressive forms: written, spoken, and illustrative. SDA seeks artists whose work engages broadly with ideas of communication—from poetry and prose to computer code, indexing, and archiving—as it relates to the grammar of textiles and the vocabulary of fiber. Artists working in text- and sound-based works, alternative signs and symbols, and processes that document making, individual moments, or longer histories are encouraged to apply. Submissions should evoke responses, provoke thought, and foster connections between textiles and language. 

Highlighting work made with a fibers sensibility, including traditional and cross-disciplinary materials, techniques, and practices, as well as experimental processes and material innovation, submissions should evoke responses, provoke thought, and foster connections between textiles and language. 

Artists working in all fiber/textile media, methods, or processes are encouraged to apply. Selected works will demonstrate unique, well-developed artistic vision and innovation, and will include the best of contemporary fiber work.

This exhibition is open to all artists, with discounted entry fee offered to SDA members and students. 

Students can use the code STUDENT for $15 off the entry fee. 

Not an SDA Member? Join today and get 10% off your membership with the code WELCOME26

JUROR: Diana Weymar is an artist and activist. She grew up in the wilderness of Northern British Columbia, studied creative writing at Princeton University, and worked in film in New York City.

She has worked on projects with Build Peace (in Nicosia, Bogota, Zurich, and Belfast), the Arts Council of Princeton, the Nantucket Atheneum, the W.E.B. Du Bois Center at UMass Amherst, the University of Puget Sound, The Zen Hospice Project (San Francisco), the Peddie School, Open Arts Space (Damascus, Syria), Trans Tipping Point Project (Victoria, BC), New York Textile Month, Textile Arts Center (Brooklyn, NY), The Wing (NYC and SF), and Alison Cornyn’s Incorrigibles project, as well as Syrian journalist and activist Mansour Omari. She is a judge / presenter for All Stitched Up at the University of Puget Sound. She has also curated exhibitions at the Princeton, NJ headquarters of Fortune 500 company, NRG Energy, and exhibits for the Arts Council of Princeton.

Diana is the creator and curator of Interwoven Stories and The Tiny Pricks Project, both of which are open for public participation. Her work has been exhibited and collected in the United States and Canada.

AWARDS:

First Place                                  $400
Second place                             $200
Third place                                 $100
SDA Award of Excellence          One-year SDA Membership

IMPORTANT DATES:

• March 16, 2026: Entry deadline (11:59pm MT)
• April 13, 2026: Notification of acceptance
• May 4-9, 2026: Selected artwork due at venue
• May 30, 2026: Exhibitions opens
• August 15, 2026: Exhibition closes

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.

The Schweinfurth Art Center provides creative opportunities and transformational experiences through the arts, for all people. The Schweinfurth Art Center believes in public access to the arts and are committed to integrity, excellence, understanding with generosity of spirit, and lifelong learning. Visit us at www.schweinfurthartcenter.org

​ENTRY PROCEDURE: Entries are accepted online through CaFÉ. Entry deadline is March 16, 2026. Applications close at 11:59 PM in Mountain Time Zone (Denver, CO, USA) on deadline date.

Please note: 

• CaFÉ does not allow you to make changes to your application after you have checked out.
• You will receive Email notifications from CaFÉ listing each submitted artwork as“invited” or “not invited.” (You may receive more than one email). Notifications will also appear in your CaFÉ account.
• We understand that due to tariffs and shifting guidelines, shipping work may be a barrier to international applicants. If this is the case for you, please be in touch with SDA at info@surfacedesign.org

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Name, address (and shipping address if different), telephone, e-mail.
2. Up to 2 artworks total may be submitted (2D, 3D, Video and Audio). Juror requests one overall and at least one detail of each full original artwork. Four images total may be submitted per entrant.
3. 2D, 3D, Video and Audio:

• File format: JPEG only
• File dimensions: No smaller than 1200 pixels on the shortest side
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
• File size: 5MB maximum
• Video: not to exceed 100 MB per sample
• Audio: Not to exceed 10 MB per sample
• See CaFÉ images requirements here

1. A brief artist statement (cannot exceed 1,000 characters) 

• Since this is an anonymous jury process, please do not include identifying information in the statement such as your name.
• 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.

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 

Wall Mounted Artwork

• Diptychs and triptychs are considered single artworks.
• All work must be received installation-ready with appropriate hanging device, hardware and/or installation instructions included. Each work must be clearly labeled with artist’s name and title of the work.
• Artworks must be able to fit through our 82" x 41" front doors and not exceed 144 inches on any side. Sculptural work must be under 200lbs.
• Unframed works on paper will not be accepted

3-Dimensional Artwork

• Ceiling-suspended work must be made of lightweight fabrics or papers, not to exceed 10 pounds.

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.
• No substitutions for accepted work may be made.
• The jurors/staff of the Schweinfurth Art Center reserve the right to refuse any entry because of special conditions of installation or if the quality of the work was not accurately represented in the submitted images.

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.

SHIPPING: Complete shipping instructions will be sent with the acceptance notification letter. Artists are responsible for shipping costs both to and from Schweinfurth Art Center. All artwork must arrive between May 4 and May 9. Artists should submit a prepaid return shipping label for the return of their work.

We understand that due to tariffs and shifting guidelines, shipping work may be a barrier to international applicants. If this is the case for you, please be in touch with SDA at info@surfacesign.org

DELIVERY/RETRIEVAL: Hand delivery will be accepted from Mon. – Sat. May 4- 9 during regular hours, 10am-5pm. Note deliveries are not accepted on Sunday.  Any other delivery time must be by appointment. Special delivery and installation arrangements for large or heavy works may be required.

All artwork shipped by mail must arrive at the Schweinfurth Art Center by Saturday, May 9. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs including insurance. Work must be shipped in a substantial, reusable container.

Artwork must be picked up between Tuesday, August 18 – Friday, August 21, (10am-5pm Tuesday-Friday), or by appointment. Shipped work will be returned by mail beginning Wednesday, August 19. The Art Center will not be responsible for artwork not retrieved by November 20, 2026 if arrangements have not been made with our staff.

INSURANCE: Schweinfurth Art Center will insure objects while on site for the insurance value indicated on the entry form. The Artist is responsible for insurance during shipping both ways.

SALES: Price and/or value of an accepted entry may not be changed after it is set. Artwork exhibited may be listed as not for sale (NFS), but artist must provide a value of the work for insurance purposes. 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.

If artwork is for sale, the Art Center will retain a 25% commission on all sales made during the exhibition. An insurance value and a sale price including the commission, must be included on the entry form.

By submitting an entry, the Artist grants permission for Surface Design Association (SDA) and the Schweinfurth Art Center to use the accepted image on its website, for brochures, promotional materials, and publicity about the exhibition.

ELIGIBILITY: This international exhibition is open to both SDA members and non-members. Up to two artworks may be submitted per artist. Entries must be original work not previously exhibited in an SDA exhibition. Work executed under classroom or educational guidance is not eligible.

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. No substitutions may be made.