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| Photo from the Craft at Risk Exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery. Photo features the work of Jennifer Morgan, Virginia Stoddard, Jane Smyth, Erica Dawe, Peter Fowler, and Walter Fowler. |
Call for Submissions: Changing of the Seasons: The Turning of the Wheel
O’Brien Farm Foundation is inviting submissions for Changing of the Seasons: the Turning of the Wheel, a month-long fibre arts exhibit presented in tandem with the Sheep to Sock event at O’Brien Farm. This exhibit is going to celebrate the cyclical nature of the seasons, traditional craft practices, and the O’Brien Farm Foundation's long ties to sustainability and agriculture.
Selected works will be available for purchase at a 20% commission rate, which directly supports the public programming offered at O’Brien Farm. As we work to expand our arts-based programming, we hope to provide more commercial opportunities for artists, as well as solely presentation-based exhibitions which adhere to the CARFAC Minimum Fee Schedule
Exhibition Dates: May 15th-June 15th
Location: O’Brien Farm Interpretation Centre, 150 Oxen Pond Rd
Submission Deadline: April 15th
Eligibility & Criteria:
-We are seeking fibre-based artworks that meet the following criteria:
-Alignment with one or more thematic elements: sustainability, cultivation, creative re-use, seasonal cycles, agriculture, and our role in the natural world.
-Created using natural fibres (wool, cotton, silk, flax, etc.) or recycled natural materials
-Original designs or works based on traditional patterns. Reinterpretations of traditional patterns are welcome!
-Artworks may be two- or three- dimensional, subject to available space
-Artworks must include clear hanging instructions
-All works must be stable and safe for public display
-Works will remain on display for the full exhibition period (May 15 – June 15, 2026). The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on occasional weekends for special events. Security will be provided.
Selection Process:
The selection process will be led by the O’Brien Farm Interpretation Committee and Heritage NL, in collaboration with a guest curator. We are pleased to announce that our curator for this project will be local artist and arts worker Daniel Rumbolt.
Daniel is a queer settler artist raised in rural communities throughout the traditional land of the Mekap'sk Mi'kmaq Band (northern peninsula) of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). He received his BFA from Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, and his MFA in Studio Arts (Fibres and Material Practices) at Concordia University in Tiohtià:ke, Kanien’kehá:ka Nation (Montreal, Quebec). He is the National President and Spokesperson for CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens), and is currently the Executive Director of the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft, Art, & Design.
Heritage NL will also award prize ribbons to artworks that best represent traditions listed in the Craft at Risk document, which lists endangered craft practices and encourages the sharing of heritage skills. Ribbons will be awarded at the annual Sheep to Sock Event on June 6th, 2026. To view the Heritage NL Craft at Risk Document, please visit: https://heritagenl.ca/programs/craft-at-risk/
Submission Details:
Artists must submit:
-Up to 5 images of the artwork(s)* to be considered
-Title, medium, dimensions, year, and price of artwork
-Artist Bio (maximum 100 words)
-Artist Statement (maximum 250 words)
Technical or installation requirements
Multiple smaller artworks in a set are also eligible for submission.
-Please email your submission to programming@obrienfarm.ca with the subject line “ARTIST NAME - Artwork Submission 2026”. Ex. “DANIEL RUMBOLT - Artwork Submission 2026”
-Artists will be notified of acceptance by May 1st, 2026.
Sales
We encourage works to be available for sale. The O’Brien Farm Foundation will retain 20% commission on sales, which will go towards future exhibitions and programming, with 80% returned to the artist. Cheques will be issued within 60 days of the exhibition closing.
Shipping
Artists are responsible for all shipping costs, including:
-Shipping, delivery, or drop-off of work to O’Brien Farm
-Return shipping or pick-up following the exhibition
-Shipping for any potential out-of-town sales.
O’Brien Farm Foundation is not responsible for any damage incurred during shipping.
Exhibition Events
O’Brien Farm will host an opening reception with beverages and light refreshments (details to be announced), and all artists are warmly invited to attend. Artists are also invited to take part in our annual Sheep to Sock event during the exhibition period on June 6th.
We look forward to celebrating fibre arts with you all!
For questions, please contact: programming@obrienfarm.ca
Sheep to Sock
We’re so excited that this event is back. More details to come, but for those who don’t know, Sheep to Sock is a Heritage NL, O’Brien Farm and Sheep Producers Association of NL family-friendly (and free!) fiber art, craft, and agriculture event that showcases the entire journey from sheep to sock. Demonstrators will show how to shear sheep, card wool, spin, and more!
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