40th Materials: Hard + Soft Contemporary Craft + Digital Exhibition
Submit 1-3 innovative craft or digital artworks that juxtapose concepts and materials in unique and thought-provoking ways for consideration in this international contemporary craft and digital exhibition.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- 26 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $1,000
- Location
- Denton, Texas
- Exhibition window
- Feb 26, 2027 → May 8, 2027
About
Overview
The Greater Denton Arts Council proudly presents the 40th annual International Materials: Hard + Soft Contemporary Craft + Digital Art Competition and Exhibition. Recognized as one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country, Materials: Hard + Soft began in 1987. The exhibition celebrates the evolving field of contemporary craft and the remarkable creativity and innovation of artists who push the boundaries of their chosen media. We invite artists to submit innovative works that juxtapose concepts and materials in unique and thought-provoking ways.
Key Dates
- Submission deadline: October 10, 2026
- Exhibition runs: February 26 - May 8, 2027
Eligibility
- Open to local, national, and international artists
- Entries must be the partial or complete work of the submitting artist
- Work must have been completed within the past three years (2024-2026)
- Work must not have been previously exhibited at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center
- All work must be ready for installation
Accepted Media
- Clay
- Fiber
- Glass
- Metal
- Paper
- Wood
- Any combination of craft media
- Conceptual art
- Digital media
Submission Requirements
- Submit 1-3 applications; each application = 1 artwork entry
- Submit 1-3 images, 0-1 audio file, 0-1 video file (total 1-5 assets)
- Weight limit: no more than 75 pounds
- GDAC reserves the right to exclude any entry that presents complex installation or assembly problems
Fees
- 1st entry: $35.00 USD
- 2nd entry: free
- 3rd entry: free
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)
Contact
- Greater Denton Arts Council
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 940-382-2787
- Award
- 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)
- Entry fee
- $0 / $35
- Entries per artist
- Up to 3
- Theme
- Celebration of contemporary craft that juxtaposes concepts and materials in unique and thought-provoking ways, with accepted media including ceramics, fiber, glass, metal, paper, wood, mixed media, digital art, and conceptual art.
- Eligibility
- Open to local, national, and international artists; work must be the partial or complete work of the submitting artist and completed within the past three years (2024-2026).
- Audience
- Local, national, and international artists
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.