42nd Annual New Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts

This juried exhibition features the current work of the finest national contemporary quilt artists, June 26– August 28, 2026. Art quilts accepted for exhibition will exemplify innovation in quilting and surface design techniques as well as excellence in artistic composition and craftsmanship. The goal of the exhibition is to recognize the world’s finest contemporary quilt artists and to advance the art form. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 4 – 6 PM with the Awards Presentation the same evening at 5PM. A catalog will be produced to feature the exhibition.

This juried exhibition features the current work of the finest national contemporary quilt artists, June 26– August 28, 2026. Art quilts accepted for exhibition will exemplify innovation in quilting and surface design techniques as well as excellence in artistic composition and craftsmanship. The goal of the exhibition is to recognize the world’s finest contemporary quilt artists and to advance the art form. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 4 – 6 PM with the Awards Presentation the same evening at 5PM. A catalog will be produced to feature the exhibition.

Exhibition Jurors: Dorothy Raymond, Stephanie Shore
Awards Juror: Dorothy Raymond 

Dorothy Raymond creates award-winning landscapes and abstract studies of color and shape. She uses different colors and textures of fabrics and how they interact with light and shadow as the elements of her compositions.

Her art has been juried into regional and international fiber art exhibitions, and fine art shows. Her collectors are throughout the United States. She was a Board member of Studio Art Quilt Associates, which promotes the art quilt as fine art.

Stephanie Shore is a former academic scientist and educator now turned art quilter. Her quilts have been juried into several international art quilt exhibits, including Quilts=Art=Quilts, SAQA’s global exhibitions Upcycle!, Light the World, Sustainability, and Haven, as well as Quilt Visions 2022 and Art Quilt Elements 2024 and 2026. She has a passion for strong colors and value gradations with most of her quilts being abstract in nature. Stephanie often uses fabrics that she has painted herself so that the fabrics echo and enhance the overall composition.  Increasingly, she paints on recycled textiles to reduce the environmental impact of her art quilting practice.

Awards
$1,000 Best of Show Award
$500 Prize for Creative Artistry – exceptional artistic expression and craftsmanship
$500 Prize for Creative Innovation – exceptional integration of new materials, techniques and design

Awards will be announced during the Opening Reception Awards Presentation.

Venue
The Lincoln Center is a city-owned and operated cultural center in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is one of Colorado’s largest and most diverse presenters of professional theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. Annually, The Lincoln Center Art Gallery presents 6-8 rotating visual arts exhibitions in diverse media. The mission of The Lincoln Center Art Gallery is to promote and nourish the creation and appreciation of the visual arts. Diverse exhibitions, programs and projects engage and inspire our community through the world of art and ideas.

Important Dates:
April 20:  Deadline for Entries
Week of May 11: Entrants will be notified via email from CaFE of competition results, with accepted works subject to final approval upon inspection on arrival to The Lincoln Center. 
June 8 to 12: Shipments of accepted quilts must be received at The Lincoln Center between these dates – no earlier, please.
Thursday, June 18, 12-2PM: Hand delivery of accepted quilts due to The Lincoln Center
Saturday, June 27, 4 – 6 PM: Opening Reception with Awards Presentation at 5 PM
June 26 – August 28: Exhibition Dates
Week of August 31: Quilts shipped back to artists.
Tuesday, September 1, 12-2PM: Pick-up date for hand-delivered quilts

Have questions or need help?

Questions concerning the exhibition or call for entry requirements should be directed to Kristen Vohs, The Lincoln Center, at kvohs@fcgov.com or 970-416-2737.

Assistance in using the CaFE system is available during regular business hours via email at CaFE@westaf.org or by calling 303-629-1166.

Entry Rules & Requirements

• $35 Entry Fee is required for up to three (3) entries. Maximum of three (3) entries allowed.
• Entries must be of the artist’s (or, if collaborative, the artists’ team) original design, completed from 2024 to 2026.
• No student work, or work created as the result of a class or workshop will be accepted.
• The Lincoln Center will not accept works that were previously on display in this exhibit.
• The quilt must be predominately fabric or fabric-like material and be composed of at least three layers held together by stitching.
• 2-D quilts must have a three-inch (8 cm) or greater finished double casing (sleeve) sewn in the top edge of the quilt, leaving approximately 1” on either side for the hanging slat to be affixed to the wall. If possible, please include your own hanging slat. The Lincoln Center can supply one, if this is not possible to include. (If you supply your own slat, please label as such, and make the casing the appropriate size to fit the slat.) Framed or mounted quilts will be accepted and should have hanging hardware attached (i.e., cleat or wire – no sawtooth hangers, please).
• There are no small or large size limitations.
• 3-D quilts must be identified as such in the entry description and if selected, must include detailed hanging or installation instructions.
• Entries must include a short description of techniques and materials used in the construction of the quilt. Artists must also include a short statement about the artwork which, if selected for the exhibition will be included in the Exhibition Catalog. This information will be entered in the Form Questions portion of the application.
• A panel of qualified jurors will select the works for the exhibition. The jury’s decision is final. The jury reserves the right to refuse any work that does not match the image sent for jury. The Lincoln Center reserves the right to reject or accept any quilt for exhibition upon delivery.
• Artists are responsible for all costs of shipping and insurance of accepted quilts during transit to and from The Lincoln Center.
• Installation & Exhibition Period: June 17-August 28, 2025. Accepted works must be available for the full Installation and Exhibition Period, which includes installation, exhibition and de-installation, after which the work will be returned to the artist.
• The Lincoln Center will retain a 30% commission on all works sold as a result of the exhibition. All sales must be handled through The Lincoln Center and are subject to State and City taxes. In the instances of sales commission or award payment, the artist must provide The Lincoln Center with an IRS Form W-9 for tax reporting.
• The Lincoln Center will not insure any work for more than 70% of its stated retail value and reserves the right to limit the amount of insurance coverage on a particular piece. NFS (Not For Sale) works must include a stated insurance value.
• In the event of damage to the work during the display or handling in connection with the exhibition of the work, the artist shall be responsible for reasonable repairs to his or her work of art. The Lincoln Center agrees to reimburse the artist the reasonable costs of repair, including cost of materials and labor, necessitated by damage to the work that The Lincoln Center or its staff is in whole or in part responsible.
• Should an accepted work be sold prior to the exhibition, it will be the artist’s responsibility to guarantee that the new owner will make the work available to The Lincoln Center for the full Installation & Exhibition Period.
• The Lincoln Center will use email for communications regarding the New Legacies exhibition whenever possible. Please notify The Lincoln Center of changes to your email address as soon as possible at kvohs@fortcollins.gov.
• The Lincoln Center reserves the right to use images of accepted entries for educational and promotional purposes including, but not limited to publications, newspapers, television, radio and internet.

Eligibility:

USA/national