EXHIBITION THEME
Dragons have captivated the human imagination for centuries, appearing in myths, art, and storytelling across cultures worldwide. From the wise and benevolent serpentine dragons of East Asia, to the fierce and fire-breathing beasts of European folklore, to the crafty feathered serpents of Mesoamerica, dragons take countless forms: guardians, monsters, deities, companions, and symbols of magic and power.
This exhibition celebrates dragons as creatures of fantasy, folklore, and wonder. We welcome artwork inspired by mythology, religion, literature, historical art, or original imagination—including, but not limited to, majestic celestial dragons, tiny whimsical drakes, and fearsome wyrms. Let your imagination soar, and bring your own vision of these legendary creatures to life!
Please note: Submissions must focus on dragons as fantastical creatures—no metaphorical representations or real animals with “dragon" in their name. Representational and abstract art are both accepted.
EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Opens October 2028 at the Quilt Festival Houston, Texas
This exhibition will travel until December 2031
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."
- Artwork must be of original design and to the best of the artist’s knowledge must not violate any copyright laws.
- Clearly derivative artwork based on source material not made by the artist (including but not limited to artwork, photos, and AI generated images) are not eligible.
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 January 15, 2028. 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 January 1, 2028
Jeannie Wilshire is the Director of IX Arts, dedicated to the promotion, recognition and elevation of the art of imaginative realism. It is the organization behind the groundbreaking IX symposium and IX Gallery, both dedicated exclusively to contemporary imaginative realism.
She is the co-author and designer of Visions of Never: The Collection of Fantastic Art, The Art of the Dragon: The Definitive Collection of Contemporary Dragon Paintings (2012), as well as the forthcoming History of Imaginative Realism.
She was honored to be a guest curator for AT THE EDGE: Art of the Fantastic, mounted at the Allentown Art Museum, PA, in 2012, as well as the 2016 IX Weekend held at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, DE.
She has been proud to regularly serve on juries and panels for a range of art competitions, including the Art Renewal Center’s annual Salon and the Infected by Art juried annual.
Patrick Wilshire is the Director of the Eidolon Museum of Fantasy and Imaginative Art. The Eidolon is the home of The Koder Collection - the world’s largest archive of original Dungeons & Dragons art, product, and ephemera - and a nexus for the appreciation and study of imaginative realism in art, as well as its role in fantasy, gaming, and popular culture.
He is the co-author of Visions of Never: The Collection of Fantastic Art, The Art of the Dragon: The Definitive Collection of Contemporary Dragon Paintings, as well as the forthcoming History of Imaginative Realism.
He has served as a guest curator and imaginative art consultant for museums in both North America and Asia as well as filling the role of “Art Historian” for the documentary film Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons & Dragons.
He has been proud to regularly serve on juries and panels for a range of art competitions, including the Art Renewal Center’s annual Salon, the Infected by Art juried annual, and the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize.
- January 1, 2028 - Online Entry Opens
- January 31, 2028 - Online Entry Deadline at 7pm Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC-5)
- March 31, 2028 - Notification of Acceptance via email
- May 31, 2028 - Artwork to be RECEIVED by SAQA (details provided upon acceptance)
- October 2028 - Exhibition Opens at International Quilt Festival Houston
- February 28, 2032 - Artwork returned to artists (may be earlier depending on exhibition schedule)
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."
