In 2022, one of my goals that I needed to accomplish to quit my job and become a full-time artist was to be successful in getting accepted to do a solo art show (exhibition). I was successful in that task.

Town of Cary (in NC and where I live) has a rolling call for artists that get reviewed twice a year (August 1 and February 1). You will need 10 digital images of your work (that has to reflect what you will exhibit but not the actual quilts), an image list, a resume (including exhibition history….if you are a quilter include quilt shows), and an artist statement for the exhibition. If approved you will be provided a space in one of the below galleries (the selection committee decides on the space and let’s you know).

• Cary Arts Center 
• Page Walker Arts & History Center 
• Cary Senior Center 
• Herbert C. Young Community Center 
• Town Hall 
• Bond Park Community Center 
• Thomas Brooks Park (BIG Pictures- Museum Without Walls)

My Submission Content

Digital Images

Image List

I maintain an image list of all my quilts to make this process easier. For me, I created a document with the name of quilt, name of file (possibly location on my drive), size of quilt, and year it was made in a table format. For example:

Altitudinal Ecosystem	IMG01_AltitudinalEcosystem_Wilkie	60 x 60″	2015
Tread	IMG02_Tread_Wilkie	60 x 60″	2019

Town of Cary requests the name, medium used (for me that is textiles) and size.

Artist Statement

Eyes Wide Open
Have you ever thought what people miss seeing and experiencing on a daily basis? We all, too often, get stuck in a routine and distracted by our electronic, and social media-based world. What details are we missing by not taking the time to really see and experience those things around us? The artist believes that with practice and intention, we can be inspired by patterns and design elements in objects we see or events we experience, every day.

Eyes Wide Open is a visual journey in seeing design in everyday objects. Capturing everyday objects with photography and then translating those objects into textile art, quilts, for everyone to experience what the artist saw every day.

Resume

Here is a sample of what I submitted in my resume. I also included publications and teaching in the full resume but not shown here.

Collections
SAS Art Collection: NY Highline, Rails, Pyramids

Shows | Exhibits
2022
Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival 2022|Quilts: Isolation, One of these things
QuiltCon 2022 |Quilts: Aroha, Inside Looking Out, Study no. 3
NC State Fair 2022|Quilts: Aroha (1st Prize), Home (1st Prize), Whitney (4th Prize)

2021
Monster Drawing Rally, NC Museum of Art
Modern Quilt Showcase (International Quilt Festival)|Quilt: Study no. 3 Hearth Studio |The Art of Process Exhibition (Quilt: Isolation)
QuiltCon 2021(virtual) |Quilts: Study no. 3, Orange Creamsicle, Isolation

2020 and earlier
QuiltCon 2020 |Quilts: Correlation, Manicured Gardens QuiltCon 2019 | Quilts: Mt. SohCahToa, Fractions & Snowfall AQS Fall Paducah 2018| Quilt: Fractions
QuiltCon 2018 | Quilts: San Francisco Bustle
AQS Grand Rapids 2017| Quilts: Sunday Best & Phased Circles
QuiltCon 2017 | Quilts: Rails, Sunday Best, Negative Crosswalks, NY High Line AQS Grand Rapids 2016 |Quilt: Altitudinal Ecosystem
QuiltCon 2016 | Quilts: Altitudinal Ecosystem, Jungle Ave Tapa
QuiltCon 2015 |Quilts: Phased Circles, Neighbourhood

Success

After applying in February 2022, I was notified that my application was downloaded for review. However, they were holding applications until they could rebook all the shows that were canceled at our various facilities over 2020 and half of 2021.  They informed me that I should hear back from them in the coming months, as they book shows for 2023.

I was a little bummed with the news but understood. It had been a strange couple of years. In July 2022, low and behold, I received news that I was invited to exhibit my work at Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Install date was July 6 2023, Reception date July 21 2023, Show dates were 07/07 to 08/19 and removal date is August 21.

Next Steps

I accepted, of course. I received a contract that was really clear on several things like

• Terms of Loan
• My responsibilities vs. Page-Walker for hanging the show
• Sale information: Prices could not be included in the show itself but could be provided on a price list at the entrance way.
• Care and return of art works
• Warranties.

Just to name a few.

I also received install (hanging) instructions for the equipment they used; and the room dimensions so I could plan out the layout.

Close to the end of the year 2022, I had to provide an image of a quilt in the show and an updated show description for the exhibition website.

Lastly, closer to the install date I also provide a price list for insurance purposes. I opted for outside my studio a postcard (in the above image at the top) with a QR code and contact information on the back (includes my IG account, Shop url just in case the QR Code doesn’t work, and my email address).

Let me know if you have any questions. Next post, I’ll show you some of show. In the meantime, take a look at my new website which I set up in time for my show. It includes my gallery and shop.