Materials: Hard + Soft
Description
39th annual International Materials: Hard + Soft Contemporary Craft & Digital Art Competition and Exhibition. Eligible media include craft media (clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, mixed), plus conceptual art and digital media. Artists may submit 1–3 artworks via CaFÉ; work must be completed within the past three years (2023–2025) and not previously exhibited at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center; max weight 75 lbs; work must be ready for installation/ready to hang.
Notes
The Greater Denton Arts Council presents the 39th annual International Materials: Hard + Soft Contemporary Craft & Digital Art Competition and Exhibition. Exhibition on display in the newly renovated Meadows Gallery February 26–May 9, 2026. Entry deadline: November 21, 2025 by midnight central time on CaFÉ (call for art closes by midnight). Entries submitted online through CaFÉ. Each artist limited to three (3) artwork entries; submit 1–3 applications, each application = 1 artwork entry. Fees: one-time $35.00 (USD) non-refundable fee to submit the application; 1st application entry fee is $35.00 USD; 2nd and 3rd application entries are free. Current GDAC Members automatically receive a $5 off coupon code to redeem at checkout (check emails from newsletter Art Scene). Payments must be submitted online at the time of application. Awards (Jurors Awards): Two awards of $1,000 "Juror's Choice Award" (chosen independently by each juror). Four awards of $450: "Best Quality Craftsmanship", "Best in New Media", "Most Innovative Use of Materials" & "The Storyteller" (best compelling narrative). Eligible media: works produced in any of the craft media clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, or any combination of craft media; conceptual art and digital media acceptable. Entries must be the partial or complete work of the submitting artist; ready-made materials accepted. All work must have been completed within the past three years (2023–2025) and not previously exhibited at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center. Local, national, and international artists encouraged to apply. Size/installation: all work must be ready for installation and ready to hang; weight limit no more than 75 pounds. GDAC reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex installation or assembly problems. Sales: 30% commission retained from all work sold during the exhibition; works not for sale must be clearly marked NFS. Publicity: exhibition publicized regionally, nationally and internationally; GDAC reserves the right to use photographs or digital images of any accepted work for publicity. Delivery/return: artists responsible for paying all shipping charges to and from the exhibition site upon selection by the juror. Accepted works must be hand-delivered or shipped according to instructions provided in the Artist Contract. Entries insured by GDAC while in its custody; insurance value for NFS should reflect fair market value. No work may be withdrawn before close of exhibition. Sending an entry implies agreement to all conditions. Deadlines and dates: December 26, 2025 notification of acceptance/denial emails sent to all artists. January 4, 2026 artist contracts due. January 12–26, 2026 shipped and hand-delivered artwork due at the Arts Center (no Sunday deliveries). February 26, 2026 Opening Reception 6:00–8:00 PM; Awards Ceremony at 7:00 PM. February 26–May 9, 2026 exhibition on view at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center. May 12–24, 2026 de-installation and return of artwork. Note: Exact exhibition dates & opening date subject to change; final dates will be sent with the contracts. Contact: caitlin.spencer@dentonarts.com; 940-382-2787.