Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial

The Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial exhibition showcases the fine craft of Tennessee, providing public visibility and recognition for the quality and diversity of craft found throughout the state. This juried exhibit will be hosted by the Art Museum of the University of Memphis, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Dates for the public exhibition are October 24, 2026 through December 12, 2026. 

Tennessee Craft invites artists, statewide, to apply to the Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial, to encourage and promote a high standard of excellence and design among Tennessee craft artists and to provide public visibility and recognition for the quality and diversity of craft found in Tennessee. The exhibition is open to original works of craft created by artists 18 years or older, who are current residents of Tennessee, including students. 

Up to 75 pieces of artwork will be selected for this craft exhibition, hosted by the Art Museum of the University of Memphis, in Memphis, Tennessee. Dates for the public exhibition are October 24, 2026 through December 12, 2026. A closing reception is planned Saturday, October 24, 2026. 

Original artwork only. Any commercially made embellishments must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. Finished pieces must show a manipulation of the materials and originality in design to be eligible. For upcycled/recycled artwork, including jewelry, the finished pieces must show a manipulation of the materials and originality in design beyond the purchased or found components to be eligible. In addition, laser, CAD- or CNC-assisted works are not allowed unless the generated components are subordinate to the finished artwork. Artwork produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms or other commercial methods are ineligible. Copyrighted designs not owned by the artist are not permitted.

Eligible craft include: basketry, books/paper, clay, drawing, fiber/textile, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood, other.

Basketry: Functional and sculptural works where the material used is woven or plaited. 

Books/Paper: Functional and sculptural work created primarily from paper.

Clay: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay. All original clay and porcelain work is accepted in this category. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.  Molds, if used, must be made by the artist and subordinate to the overall finished work.

Drawing: Work created in which the main body is made by using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax, crayons, etc. or from a fluid medium of ink.

Fiber/Textile: Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, etc. where the primary material is fiber are to be entered in this category.  

Furniture: Work where the primary intention is furniture, including lamps. All media are included. 

Glass: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass. No forms of mass-production are permitted.

Jewelry: Work made from precious or semi-precious materials as well as other materials such as glass, ceramic, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, etc. Any commercially made components must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.

Leather: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material used is leather and is constructed, handmade by the exhibiting artist. Industrial processes are not allowed, unless to make minor parts that are subordinate to the greater handmade creation. Process and techniques must be disclosed in your application's technique statement.

Metal: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is metal and includes non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed. In addition, CAD- or CNC-assisted works are not allowed unless the generated components are not substantial to the finished artwork.

Mixed Media / Other: For MIXED MEDIA, artwork that is 3-D or 2-D and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more eligible media. Note: Jewelry is not considered mixed media. For OTHER, artwork made from components which fall outside of media categories not previously listed; might include neon, musical instruments, brooms, kaleidoscopes and the like. Note: Package foods, medicinal, food trucks, living botanicals, candles, soaps, handcraft cards and other non-craft items are not eligible, and should not apply under this category or any other category. 

Painting: 2-D works created with acrylics, oils, watercolor/gouache or other type paints..

Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original negative or digital image, and which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category, properly signed and numbered as a limited edition. 

Printmaking: Printed works from which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens, and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, may be entered in this category. Artist must disclose their creative and printmaking processes. 

Sculpture: Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes.

WOOD: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood. Original works must be hand-tooled, machine worked, turned or carved. Embellishment of manufactured wood is not allowed. Ensure that work fits medium as opposed to accepted Furniture.

COLLABORATION: Collaborative artworks are allowed but will be limited to a collaboration of no more than 2 artists, and must fit eligible craft requirements. 

ENTRIES AND ELIGIBILITY
Artists may submit up to three (3) craft pieces for exhibit consideration. Each piece should be represented by one Hi-Res 300 dpi or greater image; no detailed views or images depicting the same piece from multiple angles. The competition is open to all craft artists 18 years or older, who are current residents of Tennessee, including students. Work must be original, not previously exhibited at a Best of Tennessee Craft exhibition, and within generally accepted craft media. No person shall be excluded from entry on the grounds of race, national origin, sex, or disability.

GUEST JUROR
We are honored to announce that the Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial will be juried by Carol Sauvion, former Executive Director of Craft in America and owner of Freehand Gallery, Los Angeles, is our guest juror. She will select works to be exhibited from the entries made on CaFE'. 

AWARDS
Guest Juror will select works to receive cash awards, including a $2,950 Best of Show from Tennessee Craft.

JURYING
A blind jury process will be conducted solely from images submitted through callforentry.org.  Notification to artists: August 28, 2026.

ENTRY FEE
A single non-refundable fee of $45 ($35 for current Tennessee Craft members using coupon code "BoTC26" at checkout) for up to three (3) works, payable by check, credit or debit card, must be included at the time of application at CaFE’.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY
All entry forms must be electronically submitted no later than 11:59pm CST July 31, 2026. Printed applications and/or mailed submissions will not be accepted.  

SALES
Artworks may or may not be available for sale throughout the duration of the exhibition. Artwork that is not for sale must be labeled NFS on the exhibition agreement. Payment for work sold will be made to the artist after the exhibition’s closing date. Any works sold during the exhibition must remain on exhibit throughout the duration of the show.

INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS: All work must arrive READY TO HANG. Any unusual hardware, magnets, or specific hanging devices must be provided by the artist. Framed work must be wired on the back, NO SAW TOOTH HANGERS. All shipping containers must fit through an 82” high x 55” wide doorway.

INSURANCE: Accepted works will be insured by the Art Museum of the University of Memphis throughout the duration of the exhibition. The artist will be responsible for insuring the artwork during delivery and shipping. (See explanation under 'Liability')

SHIPPING: Transportation, shipping, and related expenses to and from the Art Museum of the University of Memphis are the sole responsibility of the artist. The Art Museum will use the same shipping/delivery method used by the artist for return of artwork, unless artwork has been sold and the artist makes other arrangements with the buyer. Unsold artwork will be returned using prepaid shipping label(s) provided by the artist, or may be picked up in person.

All selected work to be exhibited, whether hand-delivered or shipped to the Art Museum of  the University of Memphis, must be received between September 28 through October 9, 2026.

Artists wishing to hand-deliver their artwork to the Art Museum of the University of Memphis at its address at 3750 Norriswood Ave. Memphis, TN 38111, may do so between September 28 – October 9,2026. 

For any other questions, please contact, Adriana Dunn, Assistant Director, at ardunn@memphis.edu.

Note: If invited to exhibit, detailed artwork delivery-related information will be provided to each invited artist.

LIABILITY
The object(s), to include time of receipt, exhibition timeframe, and repacking period will be insured by the Art Museum. The insurance will cover 60% of the retail price of the work. Insurance during transport to and from the Art Museum is the responsibility of the Lender.

Once accepted, artists will be required to fill out a loan agreement form from the Art Museum of the University of Memphis.

Artists who claim an insurance value over $1,000 must be able to provide the Art Museum with documentation that proves a history of selling artworks for the value amount.

IMPORTANT DATES

February 18, 2026: Applications Open on CallForEntry.com
July 31, 2026 11:59pm CST: Deadline for receipt of entries
August 28, 2026: Notification of selection
September 28 – October 9, 2026: Delivery of selected work to the Art Museum of the University of Memphis
October 24, 2026 - December 12, 2026: Exhibition open to public
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00pm CST- Opening Reception
December 14 - 18 , 2026: Return and pick up of hand delivered work. *More information will be sent with acceptance notifications regarding the return of artworks.

ENTRIES AND ELIGIBILITY
Artists may submit up to three (3) craft pieces for exhibit consideration. Each piece should be represented by one Hi-Res 300 dpi or greater image; no detailed views or images depicting the same piece from multiple angles. The competition is open to all craft artists 18 years or older, who are current residents of Tennessee, including students. Work must be original, not previously exhibited at a Best of Tennessee Craft exhibition, and within generally accepted craft media. No person shall be excluded from entry on the grounds of race, national origin, sex, or disability.

Eligible craft include: basketry, books/paper, clay, drawing, fiber/textile, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood, other.

Basketry: Functional and sculptural works where the material used is woven or plaited. 

Books/Paper: Functional and sculptural work created primarily from paper.

Clay: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is clay. All original clay and porcelain work is accepted in this category. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed each piece must be signed.  Molds, if used, must be made by the artist and subordinate to the overall finished work.

Drawing: Work created in which the main body is made by using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax, crayons, etc. or from a fluid medium of ink.

Fiber/Textile: Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable items, etc. where the primary material is fiber are to be entered in this category.  

Furniture: Work where the primary intention is furniture, including lamps. All media are included. 

Glass: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass. No forms of mass-production are permitted.

Jewelry: Work made from precious or semi-precious materials as well as other materials such as glass, ceramic, paper, fiber, wood, leather, polymer clay, etc. Any commercially made components must be subordinate to the handcrafted work. No commercial casts, molds or production studio work is allowed.

Leather: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material used is leather and is constructed, handmade by the exhibiting artist. Industrial processes are not allowed, unless to make minor parts that are subordinate to the greater handmade creation. Process and techniques must be disclosed in your application's technique statement.

Metal: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is metal and includes non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals. No production studio work is allowed. In addition, CAD- or CNC-assisted works are not allowed unless the generated components are not substantial to the finished artwork.

Mixed Media / Other: For MIXED MEDIA, artwork that is 3-D or 2-D and the primary intention of the work is the union of two or more eligible media. Note: Jewelry is not considered mixed media. For OTHER, artwork made from components which fall outside of media categories not previously listed; might include neon, musical instruments, brooms, kaleidoscopes and the like. Note: Package foods, medicinal, food trucks, living botanicals, candles, soaps, handcraft cards and other non-craft items are not eligible, and should not apply under this category or any other category. 

Painting: 2-D works created with acrylics, oils, watercolor/gouache or other type paints..

Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original negative or digital image, and which have been processed by that artist, or under his or her direct supervision, are included in this category, properly signed and numbered as a limited edition. 

Printmaking: Printed works from which the artist's hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens, and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition, may be entered in this category. Artist must disclose their creative and printmaking processes. 

Sculpture: Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes.

WOOD: Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is wood. Original works must be hand-tooled, machine worked, turned or carved. Embellishment of manufactured wood is not allowed. Ensure that work fits medium as opposed to accepted Furniture.

COLLABORATION: Collaborative artworks are allowed but will be limited to a collaboration of no more than 2 artists, and must fit eligible craft requirements.