Why You Should Show Your Work
My quilt “They Died While He Lied” hangs in the Association for Visual Arts gallery in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Over the years, I’ve written a lot about why I believe artists should share their work in shows and exhibitions.
Some of the reasons I listed back in 2021 are: exhibitions expose us to a wide range of styles and techniques, they broaden the way we think about art and artists, and they serve as time capsules that document various works being made at any given time. For quilters in particular, exhibiting work in galleries and museums introduces quilts as an art form to a wider audience.
Earlier this year, I hosted a series of virtual panel discussions for Curated Quilts called Curated Questions. The five-part series covered a slew of exhibition-related topics, and the panelists shared lots of great insights.
One of the themes that came up again and again in our conversations is connection and the idea that exhibitions are conduits for artists to forge bonds with others.
I loved that idea so much that I wrote an entire article about it for Curated Quilts—you can read it in issue 24, Linear 2.0, which was released today.
In the article, I share how artists can build confidence and find connection by showing their work in galleries, museums, and other venues.
I also included several quotes from Curated Questions panelists Clara Nartey, Carolina Oneto, Bill Reker, and Stephanie Ruyle. Each of them has exhibited work or been involved in organizing exhibitions for many years, and I hope the wisdom and expertise they shared inspires more quilters.
Finally, the article suggests several places to start showing your work, and it includes a list of best practices for assembling submissions. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Jan. 2024 update: Curated Quilts recently announced it is shutting down, so I’m sharing the entire article below.
Show Your Work
Building Confidence and Finding Connection through Exhibition
I spend a lot of time thinking about various exhibition opportunities available to quilters. Which shows should I enter? How will my work be received? What are the pros and cons of specific venues? Whose work is juried into shows? Whose voices are left out?
Exhibiting work is an important milestone in every artist’s creative journey. (And, yes, if you’re a quilter, you’re an artist!) The process can be fraught with doubt and self-criticism. However, if we are brave enough to set those feelings aside, I believe exhibitions also offer us a wealth of opportunities. They help us build community with other people, boost our self-esteem and increase our confidence in our artistic practice, and introduce quilts as an artform to a wider audience.
Invite Connection
Earlier this year, I hosted a series of virtual panel discussions about quilt shows for Curated Quilts, which covered the topics listed above and many more. The fifteen panelists for season two of Curated Questions have extensive exhibition experience and come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have shown their work in museums, galleries, and shows around the world.
One theme that came up again and again in our conversations is connection—the idea that exhibitions are conduits for artists to forge bonds with others. This is especially true if you can physically attend shows where your work is on view. But even if you can’t attend a show, your artwork itself can connect with viewers, other artists, and entire communities.
“Quilts are so approachable to people, more so than many other mediums,” said panelist Bill Reker. “The emotion and the thoughts and the intellect that people put into their quilts, into their art, is meant to be shared.”
In addition to inviting external connections, exhibiting our work forces us to examine our inner thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. “It helps me construct my own voice, and it also gives me a space where I can say things,” said Carolina Oneto during our discussion. In a show, quilters who dislike public speaking can rely on the visual impact of their work to convey ideas; those of us who communicate more clearly via text as opposed to speech benefit from written artist statements in many exhibitions.
“You have something very important to say that we need to hear,” Oneto said. “I think sharing your work is really important because in that way we create a community that is more diverse, where we can hear other ways of thinking, and other ideas, and other problems, and other topics.”
Build Confidence
Many of our Curated Questions panelists also agreed that exhibiting work is a great way to build confidence as an artist. I realize this creates a bit of the chicken or the egg dilemma, because it takes some level of conviction to submit your work in the first place, right? Be brave!
One of the things I learned just by attending a variety of quilt shows and exhibitions is that there is a wide array of styles, techniques, and workmanship on display at any given venue. Seeing that variety gave me confidence in my own work and assurance that it was good enough to share with the world. Over time, that confidence grew naturally. I think of it like a muscle—confidence is something you can build up and make stronger with practice.
Where Should You Exhibit Your Work?
If you’re unsure about sharing your work on a national or international stage, several Curated Questions panelists recommend starting locally. Submit your work to small shows hosted by your neighborhood quilt guild or art center. Many of those opportunities are showcases rather than juried exhibitions, which often means all of the submitted works are automatically hung, as long as space allows.
Plus, exhibiting locally means you probably know a few of the people involved in a show. That familiarity creates a built-in support network. “Showing your work is an emotional thing. It’s not just skills and techniques, it’s very emotional,” said Curated Questions panelist Clara Nartey. “You’re putting yourself out there, so having that support to start with is very important.”
Local shows are often less expensive, too, in part because you don’t have to ship your work. Some places to explore are libraries, airports, hospitals, medical facilities, community centers, coffee shops, and state fairs.
“Showing quilts outside of traditional venues such as quilt shows can spark broader conversations about quilts in the world,” said panelist Stephie Ruyle. “I really want people to stand in front of modern quilts and to consider them as art and as a creative expression.”
Best Practices for Submitting Your Work
Tips Shared by Curated Questions Panelists Cassandra Beaver, Leslie Tucker Jenison, and Bill Reker
Use your artist statement to set the mood for a viewer, draw them in, and continue the conversation you started with your artwork. Edit, edit, edit!
Submission photos should show your quilt at its best. Remove any distractions in the background such as hands, feet, flooring, background scenery, etc. Pay attention to the file size/type requirements dictated by the show organizer.
To highlight your quilt’s texture, light it from different angles while photographing it.
Read submission guidelines closely to ensure your entry is complete and accurate.
Use care when attaching the hanging sleeve to your quilt, as it impacts the quilt’s overall appearance in a show. The sleeve should be D-shaped to provide ample room for a hanging rod, and it should be stitched down across all four edges that touch the quilt.
Roll your quilt face out to prevent creases or wrinkles during shipment. If you have to fold your quilt for shipping, pad the folds with acid-free tissue paper.
