Call for Entries - Art in Hospitals
~ A collaboration between Sacred Threads and The Healing Arts Program at UChicago Medicine.
Sacred Threads is very pleased to offer a call for art quilts to be exhibited in several locations within the hospital setting at UChicago Medicine. There are blank galleries that we can fill with our wonderful art quilts. Check your inventory and share your work with patients, families and hospital staff.
Only quilted hangings will be considered. We use the Studio Art Quilt Associates definition of an art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure". Integration of non-fabric items is acceptable; however, freestanding pieces, altered books, etc. cannot be accommodated.
The works will be selected by Monica Hork, Coordinator of the Healing Arts Program. Selections will be based on available gallery space, artwork's appropriateness to the themes, and engaging artwork statements.
There are two calls.
The first is for a short turn around, deadline July 26, 2024. This is for artists residing in the USA and Canada. The themes were chosen to work well for finding available work. Thank you to all the artists that submitted artwork. It was an AMAZING outpouring. Monica Hork was so pleased by the response from our community.
View Gallery of Accepted Artworks.Short Term Themes:
"Gardens of Gratitude: Blooming with Hope" is a vibrant art quilt exhibition designed to transform the hospital environment into a vibrant, supportive, and healing space. Centered around the theme of gardens and growth, symbolizing healing, resilience, and the beauty of life, this exhibition creates an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere. "Gardens of Gratitude" aims to foster a sense of gratitude, positivity, and connection among patients, visitors, and staff, while uplifting spirits and instilling hope.
"Colors of Hope: An Artistic Journey of Positivity" is a vibrant art quilt exhibition designed to transform the hospital environment into a vibrant and joyful space. Leveraging the power of color and light, this exhibition uplifts the spirits of hospital patients, visitors, and staff. "Colors of Hope" provides a mental and emotional boost, fostering positivity, creativity, and community connection among all who engage with it.
The second is a longer term opportunity for artists from around the world. This deadline is July 25, 2025 and gives artists time to make something for the theme. The entry form will open on June 1, 2025.
Longer Term Theme:
"Global Harmony: A Celebration of Cultures" is an art quilt exhibition designed to transform the hospital environment into a vibrant and inclusive space. Celebrating the rich diversity of cultures from around the world, this exhibition promotes understanding, joy, and a sense of global community. By integrating multicultural art, "Global Harmony" provides a mental and emotional boost for patients, visitors, and staff, fostering positivity, cultural appreciation, and community connection among all who engage with it.
Specific parameters for both calls:
- Art quilts must have a minimum perimeter of 80” (sum of all sides) and a max height of 108”.
- There is no made by date.
- There is a non-refundable $20 USD entry fee per quilt.
- Artists may enter as many artworks as they would like.
- Artists will be responsible for shipping costs in both directions.
- Artwork may be for sale. If sold, The Healing Arts Program will keep a 20% commission which will go to support the arts in the hospital program.
- Provide one overall and one detail JPG image with at least 2400 pixels on the longest side. Keep file size to 10MB each.
- Please ensure the overall image shows edges of the quilt.
- Each quilt must have a 4" sleeve.
- Each quilt must have a label with at least your name, date and quilt title.
- We hope to travel the exhibits to other hospitals. When filling out the form, please indicate whether your artwork is available to travel.
- Entrants are responsible for insurance during shipping to and from the exhibition. Quilts will be insured by Sacred Threads for the duration of the exhibition for a maximum value of $1,000. Additional insurance will be provided only for quilts with a certified appraisal of over $1,000. Please include the written appraisal when you ship your quilt.
Timeline for Gardens of Gratitude and Colors of Hope:
May 31, 2024 - Announcement and Call for Entry opens
July 26, 2024 - Deadline to enter Gardens of Gratitude and/or Colors of Hope
August 16, 2024 - Notifications via email
September 6, 2024 - Artwork to be received in Chicago
October 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025 - Artwork on display in multiple galleries within the hospital
February 2025 - Artwork returned unless traveling.
February 2025 - December 2026 - exhibit MAY travel. Details TBD
Timeline for Global Harmony:
June 1, 2025 - Call for Entry opens
July 25, 2025 - Deadline to enter
August 15, 2025 - Notifications via email
September 5, 2025 - Artwork to be received in Chicago
October 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026 - Artwork on display in multiple galleries within the hospital
February 2026 - Artwork returned unless traveling.
February 2026 - December 2027 - exhibit MAY travel. Details TBD
REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE |
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| INFORMATION | Colors of Hope/Gardens of Gratitude | Global Harmony | |||
| Call for Entry | Closed | June 1, 2025 | |||
| Entry Deadline | July 26, 2024, 10:00 EDT | July 25, 2025 10:00 EDT | |||
| Notice of Acceptance | August 16, 2024 via email | August 15, 2025 via email | |||
| Entry Delivery Date to Chicago | September 6, 2024 | September 5, 2025 | |||
| Cost Per Entry | $20 | $20 | |||
| Number of Entries | Unlimited | Unlimited | |||
Size Requirements |
Minimum Perimeter 80" Maximum Height 108" |
Minimum Perimeter 80" Maximum Height 108" |
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| Hanging Sleeve | 4" | 4" | |||
| Label | Minimum: Name, Title, Date | Minimum: Name, Title, Date | |||
| Digital Image Size Pixals | Minimum: 2400 Pixels | Minimum: 2400 Pixels | |||
| Digital Image Size File | Less Than 10 MB | Less Than 10 MB | |||
| Digital Images Number | 1 Overall and 1 Detail | 1 Overall and 1 Detail | |||
Questions, please contact Lisa Ellis (lisa@ellisquilts.com) or Monica Hork (monicart26@gmail.com)