Organizer Information
The opportunity is organized by the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, based in La Conner, Washington, United States. The museum is dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and promoting excellence in Fibre/Textile Art, with a strong focus on quilting traditions, contemporary textile practices, and experimental fibre-based expression.
Through its exhibitions, festivals, and educational programming, the institution serves as a key cultural hub for national and international fibre artists. It regularly collaborates with curators, jurors, and practitioners to present high-quality exhibitions that bridge traditional craft techniques and contemporary Textile Art innovation. The museum is also known for its International Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival, which highlights both historical and contemporary approaches to fiber-based artistic production.
Title & Description
International Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival 2026 – Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum
The International Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival 2026 invites national and international artists to submit original works in quilting and Fiber/Textile Art for exhibition and juried selection at Maple Hall, La Conner, Washington. This competitive festival showcases excellence in contemporary and traditional fiber practices, bringing together artists working across quilting, textile construction, wearable forms, and experimental fiber-based structures.
The exhibition emphasizes originality, craftsmanship, and conceptual development in Fiber/Textile Art, encouraging artists to submit works created between 2020 and 2026. All submissions must be original designs and may not be based on commercial kits or pre-existing patterns, ensuring a focus on authentic artistic authorship.
Selected works will be presented during the three-day festival and accompanying museum exhibition program, where artists may gain recognition through juried selection, awards, and potential sales opportunities. Participants may opt for judged or non-judged submission categories, with judged entries receiving professional feedback from the jury panel.
The festival also supports collaborative works, wearable fiber pieces, and sculptural textile works, reinforcing its commitment to expanding contemporary definitions of textile-based practice within global Visual Arts discourse.
Categories
- Fiber/Textile Art
- Quilt Art / Quilting Practices
- Sculpture (fiber-based and soft sculpture)
- Wearable Art
- Mixed Media
- Installation
- Craft
- Visual Arts
- Design-based textile works
Eligibility
The call is open internationally to all artists, including:
- National and international quilt makers
- Fiber and textile artists
- Emerging and professional practitioners
- Collaborative artist teams
Applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Submit original work created between 2020 and 2026
- Ensure work has not been previously exhibited at QFA Museum or past festival editions
- Comply with originality requirements (no commercial kits or patterns allowed)
- Follow size limitations (maximum 90” x 84”)
- Submit required digital images in JPG or PNG format
Collaborative works must credit all contributing artists.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Inclusion in the International Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival exhibition
- Jury selection and professional evaluation process
- Optional judged feedback with written critique
- Eligibility for Awards of Excellence, People’s Choice, and Best of Show
- Opportunity for artwork sales during the exhibition
- Museum and festival-level exposure in the United States
- Inclusion in post-festival museum exhibition (for award-winning works)
- Institutional recognition within the global Fiber/Textile Art community
Artists may also receive commercial exposure through optional artwork sales managed by the museum.
Application Fee
$40
Application Requirements
- Online application via ArtCall platform
- Minimum 2 images per submission (3 for 3D or wearable works)
- Artwork details and category selection
- JPG or PNG image files
- Artist identification and contact information
- Optional artist statement depending on submission format
Additional requirements:
- Works must be original designs (no kits or commercial patterns)
- Collaboration details must be included where applicable
- Works must comply with size and structural rules for quilts (three-layer construction required for quilt categories)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 June 2026
- Festival Dates: September 25–27, 2026
- Exhibition Display Period: August 12 – October 18, 2026 (accepted works)
- Return Shipping Deadline: December 13, 2026 (award works)
Location
La Conner, Washington, United States
Additional Details
All submitted works are subject to a jury selection process, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Artists may choose whether their work is judged or non-judged. Juried decisions are final.
Accepted works must comply with strict exhibition requirements, including insurance, shipping responsibility, and installation duration. The museum provides insurance coverage during transit and exhibition handling periods, while artists are responsible for shipping costs.
Artists may opt to sell their work during the festival, with the museum retaining a 25% commission on sales. Sold works remain on display until the end of the festival period.
The museum reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not comply with guidelines, including copyright violations or technical submission errors. Participation implies acceptance of all terms and conditions.