Exhibition in Print- Surface Design

Each year, SDA’s International Exhibition In Print showcases the breadth and depth of contemporary artists and designers working with or inspired by fiber art and/or textile-based materials, methods, and techniques. The work of selected artists is featured in the Fall 2025 issue of the Surface Design Journal.

Each year, SDA’s International Exhibition In Print showcases the breadth and depth of contemporary artists and designers working with or inspired by fiber art and/or textile-based materials, methods, and techniques. The work of selected artists is featured in the Fall 2025 issue of the Surface Design Journal.

“It is the task of the translator to release in his own language that pure language that is under the spell of another, to liberate the language imprisoned in a work in his re-creation of that work.”

Walter Benjamin

In recent years, fiber’s boundaries have been pushed to their limits like never before. The tenth annual International Exhibition in Print celebrates fiber’s potential to emulate, recreate, and translate other qualities and contexts.

Some themes that expand translation as a material practice:

-Work that explores translation of language, metaphor, or concept in the medium of fiber.

-Work that emulates qualities of other materials.

-Work that illustrates fundamental aspects of fiber with thought-provoking reflections on other matter and material.

-Work that bridges cultural gaps, encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to appreciate and engage with each other.

The resulting Exhibition in Print will focus on translations and the “release” of limited understandings of what fiber can become. We are looking for poetic creations that embody fiber’s power to communicate through and beyond its materiality.

Entry procedure, fee & awards

• This exhibition is open to all artists
• Artists may enter up to three artworks. 2D and 3D works are eligible, as is documentation of time-based media, performance, or conceptual work. Only photographic documentation of work will be considered.
• Work must have been completed since January 1, 2023.
• Work executed under classroom/educational guidance or supervision is not eligible.
• Artists who have been included in prior EIPs are encouraged to apply, but submitted work should show a progression or be from a different body of work.
• Seven award winners will each receive an expanded, 3-page spread.

To apply
Please visit CaFÉ Call for Entry for call details and to apply.

Photographic Guidelines
As this call is for an Exhibition in Print, the quality of photographic documentation will impact the assessment of your work for inclusion in the Journal. All backgrounds should be neutral or grayscale unless color is part of the work.

***NOTE: Selected artists must be able to provide print quality images of juried work (300 dpi, 6 x 8 inches min, jpg, png, or tiff). Failure to do so will result in removal from the exhibition in print.

AWARDS: Seven Award Winners will each receive an expanded, 3-page spread in the Journal. This will be based on artists who submit multiple works that indicate clear visual and conceptual cohesion and point of view, as well as go above and beyond meeting the theme. Past examples of awards are: Innovative Installation, Material Exploration, Current Statement, Unconventional Materials, Modern Meets Traditional, Surface Design, Textiles & Technology, and more!

Dates
-May 16 CaF: É Call for Entry closes
-May 22–June 19 : Jurying process
-June 26 :  Artist notification of acceptance
-July 17 : Selected artists provide text/ images/captions for publication
-August 22 : Design Phase for Journal begins
-Mid October: Publication of Journal

JURORS

Nirmal Raja
Lauren Sinner