EXHIBITION THEME
Fungus is all around us. From mushrooms to mycelium and yeasts to molds, the fungal world is a vast and largely unseen kingdom—one of intricate beauty, resilience, and profound ecological importance
You are invited to explore the fascinating realm of fungi, from the delicate gills of mushrooms to the expansive, invisible mycelium networks beneath our feet. Celebrate the diversity, mystery, and interconnectedness of fungi in all their forms.
Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme broadly. Consider the cycles of growth and decay, the symbiotic relationships that fungi form, or their cultural and scientific roles. Fungi embody dualities: they are both life-giving and life-taking—agents of healing and disease, creation and decomposition. Let this complexity inspire your work.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Opens August 2027 at Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, United Kingdom
This exhibition will travel until December 2030
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about this exhibition, please refer to SAQA’s Exhibition Guidelines and FAQs where many exhibition related questions are answered. If you have any further questions, please contact us at calls@saqa.art.
ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
Wall-hung (2D and 3D), and freestanding artworks are eligible. No ceiling-hung artwork.
- Pieces may not exceed 96” (8 ft / 243cm) in height, width, or depth. There is NO minimum size.
- All artwork must fit through a standard 34” doorway.
- Wall-hung pieces (2D and 3D) must hang without distortion. Traditional quilt sleeves, stretcher bars, framed or mounted work, and other hanging mechanisms are acceptable.
- Artwork must meet SAQA’s definition of an art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure."
IMAGE REQUIREMENTS
It is critical that submitted images be of the best possible quality: in focus, with clear details, and following SAQA's digital image requirements. Read Tips for Successful Art Quilt Photography and Submitting Digital Images first!
- For each wall-hung 2D entry (depth is less than 2 inches), submit one full view front digital image and one detail digital image.
- For each 3D artwork (wall-hung or freestanding), submit one overall front image and two detail images
- Full-view images MUST show all the edges along with a small amount of background.
- Detail images should preferably be in portrait orientation. Do not simply crop your full-view image.
- Digital images must be saved as a high-quality JPEG or JPG file (No TIFF files). Do not use your name or initials in the filename (title is fine).
- Finished images should be at least 2100 pixels on the longest side (no maximum).
Common errors include:
- Cropping images too closely on the full-view image. All edges of the artwork must be visible along with a small amount of contrasting background. Do NOT crop your photo into any part of the artwork as this may disqualify your entry.
- Your background should be neutral and not include distracting elements such as hands, floors, studio, pets, pins, etc.
- Images that are out of focus or too small
ELIGIBILITY / FEE
Artists must be a current SAQA member to enter this call. $50 USD for up to 3 entries. $10 Early Bird Discount if all entries submitted by October 15, 2026. Entry fee must be paid online before the entry deadline via a credit card or PayPal at www.saqa.com/fees.
Entry form will be available October 1, 2026
Linda Seward is a world-renowned quilt judge, speaker and teacher, celebrated for her passion, expertise and creative vision. She is the author of 13 books on quilt making, including the enduring classic The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué and the Ultimate Guide to Art Quilting. With a publishing career spanning four decades, Linda was a regular columnist for The Quilter magazine for 18 years and became a certified quilt judge in 2004 through The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles. Her knowledge and keen eye have been sought after for judging prestigious quilt shows across the UK and around the globe.
A proud member of the Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles, the Contemporary Quilt Group, Contemporary Textiles London and the London Quilters, Linda continues to take an active role in the global textile community.
During the pandemic lockdown, Linda’s creative focus shifted as she began exploring the natural world on daily walks. Fascinated by what she discovered, she began photographing and researching the flora and fauna she encountered. In the autumn of 2020, she developed a particular interest in fungi and joined the British Mycological Society (BMS). Her passion deepened as she fully immersed herself in the field—purchasing a microscope, joining many expert-led field trips and studying under the UK’s top mycologists. In 2024, she was elected to the BMS Council, where she now champions Field Mycology.
Linda splits her time between London and Oxfordshire, where she lives with her husband and continues to inspire through her textiles, writing and love of fungi.
- October 1, 2026 - Online Entry Opens
- October 31, 2026 - Online Entry Deadline at 7pm Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC-5)
- January 15, 2027 - Notification of Acceptance via email
- April 30, 2027 - Artwork to be RECEIVED by SAQA (details provided upon acceptance)
- August 2027 - Exhibition Opens (final dates TBD)
- December 31, 2030 - End of Exhibition (work will be returned by February 28, 2031)
For information on eligibility and policies, please refer to SAQA's Exhibition Guidelines and FAQs.
Jurying of the exhibition is by digital image. Information and resources for submitting digital images can be found on SAQA’s website, Digital Image Submission Guidelines.
For specific information on shipping for exhibitions, please refer to SAQA’s Shipping Guidelines. For non-U.S. members, please refer to Shipping Reimbursement (non-US members).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
You will be asked to agree with these terms and conditions. “I agree to loan my artwork to Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. I understand the costs of insuring and shipping my artwork to the shipping center in Ohio are my responsibility. I further agree to permit the images or detail images and/or all or part of my artist statement to be used in the exhibition catalog, articles, ads, promotions, books, websites, blogs, CDs, current event news coverage, television productions, and/or multi-media productions for and about the exhibition or for and about the shows at which the exhibition may be seen. I confirm, to the best of my knowledge, the artwork entered is original and does not violate any copyright or trademark laws."
