Call for Art: “The Red Thread of Fate: A Juried Fiber Exhibition”

The Harlow invites artists to submit artwork to “The Red Thread of Fate: A Fiber Exhibition.” The exhibition will be on view Jan. 28 to Feb. 26, 2022 at 100 Water Street in Hallowell with an opening reception on Friday, Feb. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. 

“The Red Thread of Fate: A Fiber Exhibition” is open to all Maine artists working with fiber.

Fiber artist Sara Hotchkiss will be the show’s juror. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 1.

The Red Thread of Fate, also referred to as the Red Thread of Marriage, and other variants, is an East Asian belief originating from Chinese mythology. The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmate or a destined partner. In the original Chinese myth, it is tied around both parties’ ankles, while in Japanese culture it is bound from a male’s thumb to a female’s little finger, and in Korean culture, the red thread is thought to be tied around the little finger of both parties. Although in modern times it is common across all three cultures to depict the thread being tied around the fingers, often the little finger. 

Important dates:

Jan. 1: Complete entries due by 11:59 p.m. Digital images, entry form and fee must be received on or before this date for preliminary judging. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Jan. 8: Preliminary screening complete and notification of results emailed to artists by this date.

Feb. 4: Opening Reception at 4 p.m.

Jan. 28 to Feb. 26: Exhibition on view at the Harlow, 100 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

ABOUT THE JUROR : SARA HOTCHKISS

Even as a five year old I loved fabrics. I loved the feel, the colors, I loved combining different swatches to make patterns. Thanks to my mother’s patient teaching, I began knitting and sewing clothes for my dolls. From there, I moved on to my own clothes and furnishings for my room. Grandmother Mimi, an artist and also a patient teacher, let me tag along when she gardened, and together we studied nature’s heady palette. She taught me to observe keenly, to recognize the integral link between color, shape and texture, how each enhanced the others everywhere around me.

Every July, my family and I piled in the family flivver and drove to Maine to visit Aunt Betty. Feverishly, for two weeks, on a porch overlooking Mousam Lake, Aunt Betty, my mother and I knit. Nothing tempted us away from our needles. Sweaters, scarves, hats, all from a thin strand of yarn. Magic.

I remember Aunt Val taking me to visit a weaver, an ancient (to me, anyway; I was 10) woman known for her rag rugs. I stood in her studio, awestruck. Such immense wooden looms, so many yarns and colors! Here was a place that actually created fabrics, then wove them to create yet more fabrics. How I yearned to work in such a room!

At Skidmore college and then University Without Walls I studied painting, drawing, design, color theory and finally in my junior year, weaving. Under the tutelage of Eunice Pardon, a textile artist, my passion for fabrics, design and color, coalesced on the looms in her studio. That was in 1971. I’ve been a weaver ever since.

Here in my sunny studio on the site of an old Maine farm in coastal Waldoboro, I spend my days weaving, designing and sneaking out to the garden when time allows. My studio is cluttered with fabrics–solids, prints, snippets of different colors and textures that remind me of my grandmother’s flowers. 10’ and 12’ Swedish looms preside over the room, as well as many American rug looms. Add to this the antics of a curious kitty and my nook is complete.

My colorful, durable rugs leave this small corner of Maine as treasured pieces of art, ready to bring new life to a new room.

RULES FOR ENTRY

Eligibility | Open to all Maine fiber artists. All fiber-related mediums may be submitted, including wall/floor works, sculptural works, vessel forms/basketry, installations and wearables. Each artist may submit up to three works of art, which must be the artist’s own original work. There is no time limit for when the work was created. Any work that has been previously exhibited at the Harlow is not eligible. All works entered must be original creations by the artist and must be show-ready upon delivery to the Harlow. Work accepted into a previous juried show, or otherwise shown at the Harlow is not eligible.

Disclaimer | The Harlow is not responsible for technical or computer failures, including problems accessing the Internet, any other computer error or malfunction, or for late, lost, illegible or misdirected entries.  Make sure you send your entry to the correct email account according to the directions. You will receive an automatic reply confirming your entry.  

Entry fees | Non-refundable | entitles you to submit up to three works of art | Juror decisions are final | $20 Members | $25 Non members | free for Lifetime Members* (Harlow is no longer offer Lifetime level memberships)

Sales | The Harlow takes a 40% commission on sales for members and 50% for non-members. Please price your work accordingly. You are welcome to join the Harlow when you submit your entry to take advantage of the lower member’s commission. Work does not have to be offered for sale, in which case it will be marked “NFS” (not for sale).

Jurors are individuals of distinction and reputation from the Maine art world who focus on putting together a cohesive and compelling show based on their own professional but subjective judgment. Only a portion of the work submitted will be included in the final exhibition. Juror decisions are final.

The Harlow  is owned and operated by the Kennebec Valley Art Association. It is a membership based non-profit organization. Juried show entry fees help pay for the cost of putting on this exhibition to benefit all participants and are not refundable.

THE JURYING PROCESS:

The juror will review based on the digital submissions. Harlow staff will notify artists via email no later than Jan. 8. 

THE SUBMISSION PROCESS:

1. EMAIL | Enter by sending an email to [email protected] with “For Red Thread from [artist’s name]” in the subject line.

2. IMAGES | Attach your JPEG images to the email. Each artist may submit up to 3 works of art. (You may submit more than one image per work if you feel it will help the jurors understand the work. Please name your jpg image files using the following format before attaching them: “Artist’s Last Name_Title.jpg”)

3. ABOUT YOU + YOUR WORK | Include the following information in the body of your email:

Artist name:

Mailing address: 

Phone number:

Email address:

Are you a member of The Harlow?

For each one of your entries list the following information:

Title:

Medium:

Size (h x w, add depth if 3D):

Price (or value if not for sale):

4. PAY ENTRY FEE | Pay online at https://www.harlowgallery.org/post/call-for-art-the-red-thread-of-fate-a-juried-fiber-exhibition, call 207-622-3813 to pay over the phone, or mail a check payable to “Harlow Gallery” to The Harlow, 100 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine 04347.

Email gallery manager Marie Sugden at [email protected] if you are interested in sponsoring.