ART QUILT EXHIBIT 2016 AT THE UNITED NATIONS, PALAIS DES NATIONS

WATER IS LIFE: CLEAN WATER AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD

A Call for Submissions

A challenge quilt exhibit to debut at the United Nations headquarters, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland in March 2016 to commemorate the UN World Water Day. Organized by the United States Mission to the United Nations in Geneva in partnership with American Exchange Rome and Quilt for Change.

Quilters are invited to create and submit art quilts that address the issue of clean water and its impact on the lives of women and girls. Participating quilters can highlight any aspect of water – for example, how access to clean water can affect women’s daily lives, health, safety, the environment, mobility, income and development or any other aspect related to the theme, including women’s relationship to water, such as fishing, acquaculture and even transport. We are seeking a wide range of interpretations and a balance of subject matter.

For inspiration and information on the theme, you might want to visit:

• water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/women
• www.ifad.org/english/water/index.htm
• www.un.org/en/globalissues/water
• www.saqa.com
• California’s water crisis

SELECTION CRITERIA & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Artist are invited to create and submit art quilts that address the issue of clean water and its impact on the lives of women and girls.

Criteria for Selection

1. Interpretation of theme- Water is Life: Clean water and its impact on the lives of women and girls around the world.
2. Aesthetic value (use of color, overall visual design).
3. Workmanship (construction, quilting, finishing techniques).
4. The organizers reserve the right to reject any quilt which is inappropriate, offensive or a standard unsuitable for exhibition at a United Nations venue. Guidelines are available from the exhibit curator.

Quilt Submission Guidelines

• The exhibition is open to anyone who receives this call. Quilts made by individuals, two persons or a group are allowed, and more than one entry per artist/group may be submitted.
• There is no entry fee.
• Entries must be accompanied by an artist’s statement no more than 250 words in length, and an artist’s biography of no more than 100 words. The text submitted may be used in press releases and in publications, and may be edited for these purposes. A strong artist’s statement is crucial, explaining the concept of the quilt, linking it specifically to the theme of the challenge and sharing your inspiration for the quilt.
• All entries must consist of three layers, and be quilted by hand, by machine, tied or a combination of these techniques.
• Quilts must be smaller than 78 inches square (200cm square). Please state the measurements of your entry.
• Quilts based on photographs must have the permission of the photographer so as to protect copyright.
• Entries must be of fabric in good condition and ready to exhibit, clean and free of smoke and odors.
• No commercial kits of any form will be accepted.

QUILT SUBMISSION SCHEDULE & PROCEDURES

Quilt Submission Schedule

• November 1, 2015, midnight, Pacific Standard Time (PST)- Entry email with artist’s statement, artist’s biography and two quilt images must be received with the exhibit registrar at exhibit.registrar@american-exchange-rome.org
• December 1, 2015 – Notification will be sent via email as to whether or not your quilt is accepted. Complete mailing/shipping address with instructions for sending your quilt for exhibition will be included at that time. Quilts originating from North America will use a diplomatic pouch address – DPO (formerly known as APO) with US postal rates. A shipping address to Rome, Italy and a delivery by hand address will be provided.
• January 15, 2016 – On or before January 15, 2016, quilts must be received in Rome, Italy, where the quilts will be photographed by the curator and prepared for installation.

Entrant is responsible for the initial shipping to Rome, Italy (or hand delivery) plus insurance costs, if desired, during the exhibit. Security is provided, however, quilts entered are at entrant’s own risk.

The exhibition will run at UN headquarters, Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland in March 2016, and will then travel in Europe and North America for upwards of two years thereafter.

Entering a quilt for an invitational exhibit is a big step and we, as organizers, do not take your efforts or our responsibilities lightly. We will strive to keep quilts safe and secure. Although the greatest care and respect will be taken with all entries, the quilts are exhibited entirely at the risk of the owner. Please arrange for your own quilt’s insurance throughout the exhibit period. Due to the nature of the U.S. Government and United Nations facilities, this exhibit could be relocated or cancelled at any time with little or no notice.

The organizers reserve the right to photograph any work for publicity purposes, acknowledging the artist, without compensation. Photographs of quilts, exhibitions and quotes from artist’s statement may be used in informational materials for the exhibit.

Quilt Submission Procedures

• Deadline for electronic submissions is November 1, 2015, midnight, Pacific Standard Time (PST) .
• Entry is electronic and should contain the following information: name, address, home telephone & cellular number, title of quilt, artist’s statement and biography.
• Include two digital images of the quilt, one of which shows the whole quilt including the edges (indicate the top of the quilt), and one of which provides a detail of the quilt. Images should be in JPEG format no larger than 800 x 600 dpi. Image must of the completed work, not work in progress.
• Email entry to exhibit.registrar@american-exchange-rome.org
• Quilts must include two sleeves across the entire back of the quilt, one 6 inch (15 cm) sleeve at the top no more than ¼ inch from the top edge, and one 4 inch (10 cm) sleeve along the bottom of the quilt. If the quilt is wider than 39 inches (100cm) the sleeves must be split at the center to allow an opening for installation.
• Each quilt must have a fabric label sewn on the back with the following information: name of entrant, address/contact info and title of the quilt.
• Submissions will be will be juried. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent by email. The decision of the exhibit curator is final and no queries or correspondence pertaining to the selection process will be considered.

CONTACTS

For inclusion on the exhibit’s mail list and/or any questions concerning the exhibit, please contact:

• Susan Fiorentino, Exhibit Curator: exhibit.curator@american-exchange-rome.org
• Allison and Dick Wilbur: QuiltforChange@me.com

ORGANIZERS