Patchwork: An exhibition inspired by quilts, quilt motifs, and the art of piecing things together

An exhibition inspired by quilts, quilt motifs, and the art of piecing things together

Q U I L TS
A quilt is built from parts — scraps, blocks, fragments — brought together into something whole. It is pattern and repetition, improvisation and structure, softness and structure at once. For this exhibition, we are seeking work that responds to the spirit of the quilt: as object, as technique, and as visual language.

We invite artists to respond to one or more of these threads:

the quilt as literal artwork (a finished, wearable, or hangable quilt)

the quilt as technique (piecing, patchwork, appliqué, improvisational construction, or hand/machine stitching used in any medium)

the quilt as visual language (grids, blocks, repeated motifs, and pattern-based composition, even outside of fiber art).

Submissions that engage with pattern, texture, color relationships, scrap and reuse, and the handmade are especially encouraged.

All submissions will be considered for the In-person Exhibition and Patchwork Catalog! Selected artists for our in-person exhibition will each receive a $20 shipping stipend to help offset costs. 

All submissions will be considered for our in-person exhibition at Kinhouse Gallery and a special Patchwork Catalog. The Patchwork Catalog is a published book featuring the work of the artists selected for the in-person expedition and an extended additional selection of artworks that we want to highlight as speaking to this open call. The curators statement and thoughts are included in the catalog, along with high-quality images of the selected quailty artworks!

You may submit multiple entires to this call on separate application entries. You have to submit in different profiles you create on the Cafe West platform.

Submissions must fit into one of the the quilt as literal artwork (a finished, wearable, or hangable quilt)

the quilt as technique (piecing, patchwork, appliqué, improvisational construction, or hand/machine stitching used in any medium)

the quilt as visual language (grids, blocks, repeated motifs, and pattern-based composition, even outside of fiber art).

As long as it reflects one of the 3 categories above, there are no specifications for what type of material your artwork must be made of. Submissions that engage with pattern, texture, color relationships, scrap and reuse, and the handmade are especially encouraged.



Call Ends: August 23rd, 2026 11:59pm ET

Artist’s Notified by: August 31st, 2026

Work Must Arrive at KHG: September 25th, 2026

Exhibition dates: October 2nd - October 30th, 2026 

Exhibition reception: Friday, October 2nd, 2026 at Kinhouse Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN - this exhibition will be part of the Arts This Way Broadway Arts Festival! Thousands of visitors are expected at this event on October 2nd + 3rd, 2026!

Email us with any questions at kinhouseart@gmail.com

Persons with any gender identity, ability, and from any location are welcome to apply. Work must be submitted in its finished state (no works in progress) and available to be shown October 2nd through October 30th, 2026 in our gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.