Craft Ontario – Call For Exhibition Proposals for 2027

by | Apr 28, 2026 | Uncategorized

Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Craft Ontario is currently seeking proposals for solo and two-person exhibitions to take place in the new Craft Ontario Gallery, 401 Richmond St West, Suite 108, Toronto, in the 2027 calendar year.

Craft Ontario is devoted to the support, advocacy and promotion of Ontario craft and craft artists. Our services and programs provide support for craft artists at all levels of their careers from emerging to established, while raising awareness of, providing access to, and growing appreciation for their work.

Craft Ontario welcomes submissions in all craft media by artists at any stage of their career (emerging, mid or established). Submissions of both existing work and projects that have not yet been realized will be considered.

Craft Ontario provides curatorial support, installation assistance, insurance, and pays artist fees in line with CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens) guidelines.

If you have any questions about this call for entry or application process please contact [email protected].

In preparing your proposal, please review the gallery floor plan and images. Images of past exhibitions are also available here.

Conditions

  • Craft Ontario has updated our Membership Structure, including Program eligibility. Please note that you no longer need a Maker Membership to apply for an exhibition at Craft Ontario. Non-members will need to pay a $10 Admin Fee to apply and, if your exhibition application is successful, you (and your co-applicant, if applicable) will be required to purchase a Maker Membership prior to your exhibition. If you have questions about membership please contact Member Relations & Program Manager Elycia SFA at [email protected].
  • There are no residency requirements to apply (i.e. you do not need to be a resident of Ontario or Canada to apply).
  • Applications will only be accepted through this online form (see below for more details). Hard copy or email submissions will not be accepted.
  • **NEW**: No AI-generated works will be accepted, nor should applicants use AI to generate material for the exhibition proposal.

Exhibition Information

  • The Exhibitor will be responsible for shipping or delivering the work to the Gallery and for insuring the work while in transit.
  • Craft Ontario will insure all items for theft and damage while on the Gallery premises.
  • Any work included in the exhibition that is available for sale (at the artist’s discretion) will be sold at Craft Ontario’s usual consignment split of 50%.
  • Selected artists will receive an artist fee in line with CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation / Le Front des artistes canadiens) guidelines.

Selection Criteria

Craft Ontario will consider the following when reviewing proposals:

  • Quality of work
  • Quality of proposal
  • Career Level – Craft Ontario aims to show artists at all levels, from emerging through to established
  • Disciplines – Craft Ontario aims to show a breadth of material practices
  • Identity – Craft Ontario considers the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council’s priority groups
  • Suitability of proposal to gallery space
  • Access for members that have not shown in the space before or recently

Submission Requirements

  • Applicant Information
    • Contact information
    • Website (if applicable)
    • Career level
    • Artist Bio (max. 500 words),
    • CV (max. 2 pages, max. 2MB, PDF only)
    • Voluntary Self-Identification
  • Co-Applicant Information (if applicable)
    • Same as for primary applicant above
  • Exhibition Proposal
    • Exhibition Description (max. 500 words) – Clearly describe the project you are proposing in concrete terms, including approximate number of pieces, scale, materials, and themes. Is this work existing, new (not yet produced) or a combination thereof? You do not need to propose an exhibition design unless it is integral to the work.
    • Images – 5-10 images showing examples of works to be presented, or of related work (max. 3MB each)
  • Non-members only: $10 Admin Fee payable by credit card or PayPal

https://craftontario.com/blogs/participate/call-for-exhibition-proposals-for-2027

Artist in Residence Opportunity @ Saratoga Clay Arts Center

by | Apr 28, 2026 | Uncategorized

Exploring residency options for the upcoming year? We want to see your work!

📸: 2024-25 Resident Artist @davidkwakpottery

Our Artist in Residence program is open to qualified clay artists looking to enhance their knowledge and experience in a working studio environment. Residents are expected to work to develop a strong and cohesive body of work, have a visible presence in the studio and interact with members of the clay community and the public.  This year-long adventure starts on September 1 and continues through August 31.

We also have a 3-month Summer Residency opening, running June 1 – August 31. Our summer resident will have the opportunity to assist or teach in our summer kids & clay camp programs while developing their voice as an artist and being part of a dynamic ceramic community.

Deadline for both opportunities: May 1.

Find the details here.

technical tuesday: Smogware by Iris de Kievith and Annemarie Piscaer

by | Apr 7, 2026 | technical tuesday, Uncategorized

“Smogware is a publicly engaging project to provoke debate and behaviour change towards improved air quality. Harvesting smog dust is used to stain ceramic glazes, the particulate matter makes visible and even tangible the poor air quality that surrounds us. Smogware has collaborated with researchers and ceramic makers from the Netherlands, to global cities from Milan, Berlin, to Beijing and London. Smogware aims to empower citizens how to harvest their local dust and use it to investigate the colour of a local smog-glaze and air quality.”- via smogware.org

Radical Americana @ Clay Studio of Philidelphia

by | Apr 2, 2026 | Uncategorized

@theclaystudiophl

Philadelphia has always been a center for art and civic dialogue. This year, we’re honoring that legacy with Radical Americana. 🏛️✨

We are so proud to be the organizer of Radical Americana, a citywide initiative that unites Philadelphia’s leading artists and culture organizations in a series of 25 exhibitions.

Explore how artists are responding to the Semiquincentennial with artwork inspired by Philadelphia’s history in 1776, 1876, 1976, and today.

We’ll be launching a Welcome Hub in our Featured Artist Space, spotlighting partners and artists, alongside our exhibition American Crib: What’s Happening? by Roberto Lugo.

📍Visit our partner sites and experience how the past is shaping our future:
@historicalpa @museumforartinwood @andalusiapa @tallerpr @inliquidart @stentonmuseum @glenfoerd @freelibrary @dinawindartfoundation @no_5_butchie_alley @michael.biello @thecoloredgirlsmuseum @cliveden1767 @visitpham @waygayphilly @audubonphilly @plannedparenthood @historicyellowsprings

#radicalamericana #theclaystudiophl #philly250 #visitphilly

It’s been a while…. blogging, career pivots and ceramics.

by | Apr 2, 2026 | Uncategorized

UpBi-week
Photo taken at The Julie School of Clay on Saltspring Island, BC.

 

In all that has been happening in the world as of late, I’ve found myself more and more tempted to push against the speed of swipes and algorithms to engage in deeper conversation.

So much of my practice in the last few years, since putting my blog on pause, has evolved in a variety of ways that aren’t always easy to sum up in an image or short text. Instagram once provided supportive connection and community, but it has become something else as of late. I go to post an image, a reel, and I constantly end up deleting the draft post as it just feels disingenuous. I’ve wanted to find a way to better record my research and practice while sharing all the layers and threads that run through my work.

Musing About Mud blog had evolved to be more of a notice board of upcoming events and opportunities. I want to keep some of that aspect alive here as well. It’s always been an honour to serve our clay community internationally in this way.

Some things go quiet before they come back stronger (fingers crossed here). The blog is returning because the world needs more clay — more slowness, more community, more art that gets its hands dirty with the questions that matter. Consider this a gathering place: for makers, thinkers, and anyone who believes a vessel can hold more than water and that ceramics is integral to our recording of human history.

Thinking about the format for the blog coming back, I realize that I want to make a few changes, tweaks to the old way of doing things. This time I want to be providing something that goes above and beyond what can be found easily online, and which will provide greater engagement in our field of ceramic research and creation.

I need to talk about what scares me;

I’ve had a long time to think through the things that hold me back creatively and professionally. At 47 I’m ready to admit that the most complex hurdle I’ve created for myself is how to confidently assert my value as artist, designer, mentor and contributor in our sector. Awkwardly a substantial part of this hurdle is how to make a living through the various projects I’m contributing to.

Musing About Mud being accessible and for everyone in the community is a core belief of mine. I don’t agree with gate-keeping information. Alas a horrible business plan though financially. With the reinvestment of time back into this blog I need to consider how to find a means for it to be sustainable. I ran the blog for over 15 years as a volunteer and the economy as it is currently, that isn’t an option any longer. I’ve had the unwavering support of Erin and Jared of Finelite Photography and Design for the blog’s web hosting and consulting over the years, but this time I’m looking outwards for other sponsors. Putting myself out there and asking for that financial support is one of my biggest fears. (And yes my therapist is helping with it! LOL)

Some of you might have been long time readers of Musing. Some of you might wonder who the hell I am and what’s my story and credentials. No matter how you got here, I’m so happy to have your attention and precious time.

Here’s a sense of what I’m planning and what you can expect:

ON MUSINGABOUTMUD.COM

Monday Morning Eye Candy! Yes this must come back! So many inspirational artists out there creating ceramics that I want to share with you. And as always I’ll be hoping you all send in your latest and greatest works so I can share them with the Musing community.

Technical Info! Tips, tricks, videos and lists of upcoming workshops / lectures internationally that you can join.

Calls for entry for EXHIBITIONS, RESIDENCIES, EMPLOYMENT, and so much more.

All the above will be posted on Musing About Mud weekly with FREE access.

For those that have the financial means to support the blog there are the following new options to show your support:

Paid subscriber benefits:

Monthly plan price of $7 CDN (about $5 USD) or Yearly at $75 CDN (about $54 USD)

  1. Subscriber-only posts. Go behind the scenes including deeper insight into Carole’s research and process, educational documents, creative and professional resources, and full blog archive.
  2. Bi-weekly newsletter digest of upcoming deadlines, etc. 
  3. Minimum 2 long format posts per month.
  4. Post comments and join the community.
  5. Access to Pre-sale /Pre-orders and discounts in my online shop.
  6. Digital freebies: Colouring pages, screen savers, downloadable prints.

Founding Member benefits:

Price $350 CDN (About $254 USD) Annually

  1. Access to Free and Paid subscriber benefits;
  2. Acknowledgement in newsletter and on blog of sponsorship with direct link to your website.

Times are weird and challenging out there. It’s getting exceptionally harder to make a living as an artist. I’m looking forward to sharing more with you about our international clay community and insights into how myself and others are making it work.

Much Love,

Carole

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