In the Making: Contemporary Craft From South Carolina: Artist Call For Artists
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In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina
Juried Exhibition — Handwork 2026 Initiative
Since opening in 1988, the South Carolina State Museum has celebrated the creativity and craftsmanship of artists working across the state. In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina continues this legacy as part of Craft in America’s Handwork 2026 national initiative.
This exhibition highlights artists whose practices engage with the traditions and innovations of craft from fiber, clay, glass, wood, and metal to mixed media that reimagines material and process. Artists selected through this open call will represent the depth and diversity of South Carolina’s contemporary craft community.
All submission materials are due on or before Sunday February 1, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Exhibition dates: Friday October 16, 2026 – April 24, 2027
Opening reception: Thursday October 15, 2026
Eligibility
- Open to South Carolina residents aged 18 or older.
- Artists must submit their own original work.
- Submitted works must be created within the past two years.
- Eligible media include (but are not limited to):
Fiber, clay, glass, wood, metal, and mixed media.
- Collaborative or group projects are not eligible.
Specifications
Please read carefully before completing the entry form located at the bottom of this page.
Work submitted must have been created by the applicant within the last two years. This exhibition will focus on contemporary craft, and original works of art within this genre will be considered. Materials may include but are not limited to: fiber, clay, glass, wood, metal, and mixed media . All works of art selected for the exhibition must remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.
Each artist may submit up to ten works for portfolio review that will be reviewed by a panel of jurors. Up to 12 artists will be selected for this exhibition through this process. Final works chosen for the exhibition will be determined through studio visits with selected artists and museum curatorial staff.
All two- dimensional works must be ready to hang and may not exceed 10 feet high x 12 feet wide(120x 144 inches). Three- dimensional works may not exceed 75 pounds or 10 feet (120 inches) in height
Hanging and installation details will be discussed during studio visit.
The S.C. State Museum is a family-friendly venue and a destination for school children from across the state. Artists are encouraged to be mindful of our core audience when submitting work for the exhibition.
In your submission, you will be asked to include:
- Up to ten high-resolution images (300 dpi minimum).
- For each work:
Title, date, medium, and dimension
- Artist statement (up to 200 words).
- Short bio (up to 200 words).
Selection process
Entries will be reviewed by a panel of regional and national craft experts during February 2026. Jurors will be announced in December 2025.
Honorarium
Each exhibiting artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium for participating in this exhibition and related programs including the reception and our annual Artist Homecoming.
Entry fee
A non-refundable entry fee of $25 per artist
Sale of the work
Work will not be available for sale through the museum and no specific information related to sales will be provided. The museum will forward information to artists directly regarding individuals interested in purchasing work.
Liability
The South Carolina State Museum will insure all works of art included in the exhibition while on site at the museum. The museum is not responsible for shipping or insurance while in transit, and reserves the right to refuse any entry at its own discretion. The museum also reserves the right to photograph and reproduce any entry for educational or promotional purposes. The receipt of an entry into the juried exhibition will constitute an agreement by the artist with the conditions set forth in this prospectus.
Calendar of Events
- Deadline for submissions: Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at 5pm
- Notification of selection: Monday, March 2, 2026
- Studio Visit Round 1: March 6 - March 18, 2026
- Studio Visit Round 2: May 11 - May 22, 2026
- Exhibition dates: October 16, 2026-April 24, 2027
- Opening reception: October 15, 2026
Questions? Contact us at maia.payne@scmuseum.org