Current Threads 2026

Description

Current Threads 2026 highlights the work of Surface Design Association members in the British Columbia and Yukon region.The intention of the exhibit is to inspire conversations and new directions while raising the visibility of fibre and textile media.This travelling exhibit will be on display first at the MAIN Gallery in the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, BC (July 2026) and will then travel in its entirety to the Il Museo Gallery in the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, BC (Sept/Oct 2026).  CALL FOR ENTRYSurface Design Association members living on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (VISDA) invite SDA members in British Columbia and the Yukon regions to submit one artwork for the travelling exhibition of Current Threads 2026 held this year in the MAIN Gallery at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, British Columbia, followed by exhibition at Il Museo Gallery at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. This annual exhibition is non-juried and features artwork that is current and highlights fibre and/or textile art techniques.The exhibition will be shown at:- MAIN Gallery, Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan, BC during July 2026- Il Museo Gallery, Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver, BC during September and October 2026

Small Wonders 2026 is a separate call. British Columbia and Yukon region members are also invited to participate in our Small Wonders 2026 Exhibit which will run at the same time as the Current Threads Duncan exhibit and will be held in the ANNEX Gallery in the Cowichan Community Centre. Small Wonders will not be part of the exhibit traveling to Vancouver. CLICK HERE to go to the Small Wonders call.    AT A GLANCE- Entry is restricted to BC and Yukon region Surface Design Association members only- The exhibition will be held in the MAIN Gallery at the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, BC from July 6 until July 31, 2026 and it will then travel to Il Museo in Vancouver from September 3 to October 31, 2026- Artwork will be stored between shows and will be available for pickup only after the Vancouver show closes- Submissions begin January 15, 2026 and close March 31, 2026 and can be made online through ArtCall only- You are encouraged to submit early - You can edit your entry anytime up until the submission window closes- Important details may have changed from past exhibits - please read all the information about the call including the terms and the requirements prior to submission- QUESTIONS? use the CONTACT form
  CALL INFORMATIONSubmission Dates- Call is open from 1pm January 15 until 5pm March 31, 2026 (PST)Exhibit Details- The MAIN Gallery at the Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan BC     - Exhibition dates July 6 - July 31, 2026     - Reception July 6, 2026– Il Museo Gallery at the Italian Cultural Center, Vancouver, BC     - Exhibition dates September 3 - October 31, 2026     - Reception September 3, 2026

Awards- SDA Award of ExcellenceArtist Eligibility- Open to SDA members who live in British Columbia or Yukon. To learn more about the SDA CLICK HERE- SDA membership must be current and in good standingFee- A $90 entry fee is required at the time of online submission- This fee covers both locations for the show: Main Gallery at the Cowichan Community Centre (Duncan) and Il Museo at the Italian Cultural Centre (Vancouver)- Entry fee is non refundableSubmissions- Maximum one artwork per artist-  No late entries will be accepted, please submit early- You may also submit work to Small Wonders which is a separate call- All submissions must be made via the ArtCall website- You may edit your submission anytime up until the call end date
Sales- Sales will be subject to a 25% gallery commission at the Cowichan Community Centre Gallery- Sales will be subject to a 10% gallery commission at the Il Museo Gallery- Works for sale are encouraged but not requiredCLICK HERE for info about PRICING artworkArtwork Qualifications- Artwork must have been completed on or after July 6, 2023- Artworks previously exhibited at a VISDA exhibition or at the Cowichan Community Centre are not eligible- Product art and work created in workshops or classes is not eligible for this exhibit- Artwork must be ready to hang.  CONTACT us if your work requires any special installation or display considerationsCLICK HERE for important info on DISPLAY REQUIREMENTSArtist Requirements- Artists are responsible for delivering their artwork- When possible, volunteer to sit the gallery (sign up available April 2026)- Artist statement about your artwork, approximately 100 to 150 words, maximum of 1000 characters- Artist biography 500-750 characters, approximately 100 to 150 words, maximum of 1000 characters- 1 headshot of the artist- 3 photos of your artwork (entire work plus two details)- There are specific requirements regarding the types of supports, hanging hardware and labels which must be used on your artwork, for this information please refer to the DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS page- All artists must abide by the VISDA Exhibition Guidelines (see terms & conditions) and all other agreements, requirements, terms or conditions stated within this callCLICK HERE for important info on DELIVERING ARTWORKCLICK HERE for helpful info on writing STATEMENTS & BIOS  ARTWORK DIMENSIONS2-Dimensional Work- Wall hung pieces- Max installed 84” high x 72” wide- Diptychs / triptychs considered one piece3-Dimensional Work- Wall mounted, free standing, displayed on plinth, displayed on mannequin- Entire work must fit within 48” wide x 48” deep footprint- Max height 84”Suspended Work (*upon approval only)- Suspended work: *Contact the exhibition coordinators to discuss the installation requirements before submitting online- 2D suspended work 84” high x 72” wide- 3D suspended work max 84” high x 48” wide x 48” deep- Maximum weight 10 pounds (applies to both 2D and 3D work)  PHOTO REQUIREMENTSOne Artist Photo- One headshot of the artist- Photo must be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side- JPG format only- Maximum file size per photo is 4MBThree Photos of the Artwork- One photo of the entire artwork including all outside edges- Two photos highlighting detailed views of the artwork- Photos must be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side- JPG format only- Maximum file size per photo is 4MBCLICK HERE for important PHOTO REQUIREMENTS  IMPORTANT DATESGENERALOnline Call Opens1 pm (PST) January 15, 2026Online Call Closes5 pm (PST) March 31, 2026Drop Off Artwork DUNCAN11 am to 4 pm July 2, 2026DUNCAN SHOW - Main Gallery, Cowichan Community CentreDuncan Show OpensJuly 6, 2026Duncan Reception1-3pm July 6, 2026Duncan SpeakersJuly 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026Duncan Show ClosesJuly 31, 2026VANCOUVER SHOW - Il Museo, Italian Cultural CentreVancouver Show OpensSeptember 3, 2026Vancouver ReceptionSeptember 3, 2026Vancouver Show ClosesOctober 31, 2026ARTWORK PICKUP - Vancouver or Duncan OptionsIl Museo, Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver, BCAfternoon, October 31, 2026Location TBA, Duncan, BCDate TBA