Finely Crafted Call for Entries

Finely Crafted, Call for Entries

Sebastopol Center for the Arts Prospectus: Finely Crafted

Call for Entry: Opens May 7, 2026 on CaFÉ
Exhibition Dates: Saturday October 24 thru Sunday November 29, 2026
Call Opens: May 7, 2026
Call Closes: August 27, 2026 10:59PM PST
Jurying dates: August 28 – September 8, 2026
Notifications to artists: September 11, 5pm 2026
Deadline for shipped artwork to arrive at SebArts: Friday October 16, 2026
In Person Drop Off: Sunday, October 18, 2:00-4:00, Tuesday, October 20, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 24, 2-4 PM

Description

Join the Sebastopol Center for the Arts celebration of the Handwork 2026 American Year of Craft. Our exhibition, Finely Crafted, invites artists working in Ceramics, Glass, Wood or Metal to submit their best work. The focus of this show will be on objects exemplifying true craft: Works that are original, uniquely expressive, created with skilled hands, inspired by the material itself, all the while celebrating traditional origins.

Jurors

JoAnn Edwards

Co-Founder and Retired Executive Director of Museum Craft and Design, San Francisco, CA.

Scott A. Shields

Ted and Melza Barr Chief Curator and Associate Director of the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA.

Mediums accepted

SebArts proudly showcases other crafts like textiles, baskets, jewelry and other mixed media in other exhibitions (including the Pulp exhibition and the Biennial International Fiber exhibition). Therefore this exhibition will only include Ceramics, Wood, Glass and Metal. Due to practical considerations we will not be accepting jewelry pieces for this exhibition.

SebArts Mission statement

Sebastopol Center for the Arts is committed to cultivating creativity and inspiring appreciation for the transformative power of art. We produce, promote and present artists – local, national, international – through curated gallery exhibits, artists open studio events, arts lectures, poetry readings, concerts, adult and youth education, a state of the art ceramics studio and an acclaimed documentary film festival. We are dedicated to honoring diversity, encouraging creative excellence, and providing a welcoming gathering place for the community to: Experience Art, Make Art, Share Art and Celebrate Creative Thought.

Dimensions and weight

  •  Work must be able to fit through a 7’ by 7’ gallery door and fit on our 10 foot high wall.
  •  Our experienced installation team can install your piece by any method with your clearly written instructions.
  •  Max capacity of free standing artwork is 300lbs and 50lbs of any wall hung works. Artwork outside these limitations will be assessed and reviewed case by case. Artists are responsible for getting artwork to the SebArts gallery and some assistance from the artists may be needed depending on weight capacity.

Wall mounted work must include fixtures for safe hanging and hanging instructions as needed.

Eligibility

  •  Open to artists worldwide.
  •  $35 for one application including 3 detailed images. Additional $10 for each additional application (including 3 detailed images). This call for entry allows up to 3 applications.
  •  All work must not have been previously shown in the SebArts Gallery.
  • Please Note: SebArts goal is to promote currently working artists, so we ask that you only submit work produced in the last 5 years. Entry-Fees in callforentry.com (CAFÉ)

$35 for one application (including 3 detailed images). Additional $10 for each additional application (including 3 detailed images). This call for entry allows up to 3 applications.

Entry Requirements

  • Submissions must be entered online only
  • Please ensure that all images are 5MB or less in size and are in JPEG format. Please submit a high-quality image that best represents your work. Work that differs from the submission image may not be included in the exhibition.
  • 1st Place Prize: $1,500

2nd Place Prize: $750 Medium Specific Awards

  • Ceramics Award, Robert Brent, Founder, Brent Wheels & Equipment, since 1969: $250
  • Glass Award, Katherine Gray, Professor of Art and the Chair of the Department of Art and Design at California State University, San Bernardino: $250
  • Wood Award, David J Marks, designer/craftsman. He is recognized internationally as a master craftsman of fine furniture, turner, sculptor, and host of the television show “WoodWorks”: $250
  • Metal Award, Ned Kahn, artist and sculptor with over 160 major public artworks worldwide during the last 40 years: $250
  • Four Coordinator Awards

Commission

Artists will receive 60% of the sales price of the work sold, SebArts will receive the remaining 40%. This greatly helps SebArts continue to put on exhibitions and display these wonderful works for our community. SebArts main focus is to uplift artists,

Shipping Specifications:

  • All work must have the artist’s name/contact information attached to their piece
  • Ship to ATTN: VISUAL ARTS TEAM SebArts, 282 S. High St, Sebastopol, CA 95472
  • Shipped work must arrive by Friday, October 16, 2026
  • Artists are responsible for all shipping and handling costs to and from the exhibit.
  • Each shipped entry must be packaged in a reusable container for the return of work: Include installation and re-packing instructions as necessary.
  • So that we may return your unsold art, each shipped entry MUST include a prepaid return label and form (UPS or FedEx).
  • Unsold work, with valid return shipping forms will be shipped within 15 days of the last day of the show.
  • PLEASE unpack and inspect your returned artwork immediately and communicate any concerns with SebArts within 14 days of receipt.
  • SebArts is not responsible for damage to art after 15 days. Hand Delivered Art
  • Must be dropped off: Sunday, October 18, 2:00-4:00 Tuesday, October 20, 10:00-3:00 p.m.
  • Must have artist name and contact information on the back of the work.
  • Selected work must be on view for the duration of the exhibit. Work may not be withdrawn prior to close of the exhibition.
  • Work must be picked up: Monday – November 30, 2026 10-3PM Please Read the Fine Print
  • Selected artists agree to allow their work to be photographed for media use, for educational and publicity purposes.
  • Artists receive 60% of the sales price of work that is sold.
  • Indicate clearly on form if not for sale NFS.

Shipped or hand delivered artwork left 30 days after the closing of the exhibition will be considered SebArts property

Notifications

Artists will be notified by email of acceptance by September 11, 2026
SebArts reserves the right to make minor amendments to the juried choices to balance the needs of the exhibitions in our gallery.

Questions? Email Damian Estrella at destrella@sebarts.org or 707-829-4797 x 1003