Ontario Network of Needleworkers and the
Wellington County Museum and Archives
invite you to enter
THREADWORKS 2016
FLASHBACK
- a Juried Exhibition of Creative Needlework April 16 to May 29, 2016
Threadworks’ mandate is to mount, every three years,
a juried exhibition of exceptional creative needlework
stitched by artists from across Canada. The show
opens at the WCMA and travels to a number of
museums and galleries across Ontario during the next
two years.
THEME
The theme for 2016 is FLASHBACK. What does that
word bring to your imagination? Just how far back does
it take you? Whether it’s to your own youth, your
Grandmother’s time or pre-history, anything other than
this minute or tomorrow qualifies. Here are a few
suggestions: Fashion, Art Deco, Architecture,
Environment/Nature/Fossils, Summer Camp, Holidays,
Music (e.g. song titles), War, Hippies, Home, Death,
Grandma’s influence/Ancestors, Weddings, Babies.
NEW ENTRY PROCEDURE
The jurying process will be done in two phases, a
preliminary online selection and a final jurying.
For an entry to be considered, the online entry form
must be filled in completely, including all the required
digital images and documents. Once your entries are
submitted, you will be prompted to proceed to our
secure online payment page, where you will be
required to pay a fee of $30.00 for the first entry, and
$15.00 each for subsequent one. Online entry will be
available on January 1, 2016.
In some cases, e.g., if digital images do not conform to
requirements or if you experience issues with online
payment, the entry will be accepted as incomplete and
assigned a “pending” status. In such cases, you will
receive an email with instructions on how to complete
the entry process.
All entries must be received and completed – with no
pending status – before noon EST on March 1st, 2016.
The preliminary selection of entries will be based on
submitted digital images and Artist’s Statement.
Each entry will require three images: overall (which will
be used in the catalogue,) and two close-ups.
Three-dimensional works: overall front and back, and
one close-up.
The accompanying Artist’s Statement will be 50 words
or less explaining the inspiration for the piece, and will
be used or modified for the catalogue. (The entry form
will have a separate space for materials and
techniques used.)
Works accepted for consideration arrive at the WCMA
between April 1st - 5th by post or personal delivery.
The jury will complete the final selection of work in
person, and assign awards on April 7, 2016. A critique
will accompany any unaccepted works when they are
returned to the artists.
THREADWORKS CALENDAR
Jan. 1 - Mar. 1, 2016: Online submission of entries.
Mar. 14, 2016: Artists are notified by email regarding
preliminary jury results.
Apr. 1 - 5, 2016: Preliminary accepted works received
at the WCMA.
Apr. 7, 2016: Final decisions by the Jury.
Sunday, Apr. 17, 2016, 1 - 4pm: Opening Reception
and Award Ceremony.
Sunday, May 29, 2016: Exhibition Closes.
Monday, May 30, 2016, 12 - 2pm: Pick-up or mailing
of pieces not travelling with the show.
www.threadworksart.ca
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
Entries are open to any Canadian Resident.
Selection will be made on the basis of interpretation
of the theme and the quality of the submission.
A substantial part of the piece must be made with a
threaded needle.
Group entry designers and stitchers to be credited.
Each entry must be of original design (no kits) and be
delivered in a box no larger than 36” x 45” x 9”.
Each work must be securely packaged in a sturdy
cardboard box or folder, suitably sized for the piece,
labelled with the title, artist’s name & address. (Forms
will be emailed to all artists of preliminary accepted
works.)
If an entry is begun in a workshop, credit must be
given to the instructor.
Entries must be available for the duration of the
travelling show (which may be up to 3 years.)
Because galleries on the tour are not as big as the
one at the WCMA, a smaller show is selected from
the initial one.
Entries must be suitably finished and ready to hang
or display, and accompanied by any necessary
hardware and special instructions. No framing under
glass.
Each work must have the title, artist’s name &
address securely pinned or stitched to it.
Maximum number of entries per artist is three.
Each work will be juried first based on digital images.
Preliminary accepted pieces will be received at the
WCMA April 1st - 5th.
The jury will complete the final selection of work and
assign awards on April 7, 2016.
SALES
Artists’ contact information is included in the binder
that travels with the show. Purchasers then contact the
artist directly, and no commission is involved. The
piece must finish the tour, and the artist is responsible
for shipping to the purchaser. We strongly suggest that
the artist ask for at least 60% of the price up front.
INSURANCE
All entries will be insured by the museums and
galleries at the artist’s reasonable valuation from
date of receipt. We recommend that the artist’s
homeowner’s insurance be in place, should something
befall the piece whilst in transit to or from the Museum.
If the piece is for sale, the sale value will be considered
equal to the insured value.
AWARDS
Grand Prize
Hand Embroidery
Free Motion Machine Embroidery
Traditional Stitching
First Juried Show (If accepted, this will be the artist’s
first time in any juried fibre art show.)
Mixed Media
WCM Curator’s Award (non-monetary award)
Viewer’s Choice
(Please note: more awards may be given, and the
titles may be changed.)
COPYRIGHT POLICY
The exclusive right to control any reproductions
made of your original work remains with you. It is our
policy to protect the copyright of all artists exhibiting
in a Threadworks show, and to ask that each artist
give credit where relevant. Every effort will be made
to recognize infringement of copyright, and those
works will not be accepted.
THE JURY
Jane Dams, BA(Hons) Embroidered Textiles,
MSDC is a professional artist and teacher
specializing in the surface design of textiles to
include print and stitch. Jane achieved City and
Guilds accreditation and later a degree in
embroidery. She has exhibited internationally,
lectures and has lead workshops in both Canada and
the United States. Jane maintains a studio in Guelph,
Ontario.
Dick Marvin is a trained illustrator. Dick paints
now with oil on canvas, linen or wood surfaces that
he prepares himself. This manual process is
important to his creativity. He likes to connect with
the surfaces that will hold his images. Dick lives and
maintains his studio in Rockwood, Ontario.
Lorraine Roy is a full time professional artist
working in textiles. Her B.Sc. in Ornamental
Horticulture informs her realistic and abstract
portrayals of trees in her textile art and fabric wall
hangings. Lorraine now lives and maintains her
studio in Dundas, Ontario.