Archive Mode. Call ODC Best of 2023 ended on 2/25/23, 10:59 AM. Call settings are read only. See Current Open Calls
Now in its 40th year, Ohio Designer Craftsmen's annual juried members' exhibition, “The Best of...,” features established and emerging artists working in all fine craft media. Regarded as a significant exhibition of fine craft, “The Best of 2023” showcases contemporary functional, sculptural and decorative approaches to works in clay, fiber, wood, glass, metal, jewelry or mixed media. Over $10,000 in juror-selected artist awards is presented by ODC each year.
Registration is now open. Registration deadline: February 23, 2023, until midnight CST.
Steve Smith taught in the School of Art and Design at Defiance College for over 30 years before retiring in 2011. An accomplished ceramics artist, he has exhibited in numerous regional and national exhibitions; his work can be seen in private and corporate collections across the country. Through the Ohio Arts Council, Smith traveled to Chile to train potters at El Bodegon Cultural de Los Vilos; in addition, for the past 15 years, he has worked with Potters for Peace and Good Foundations International to teach workshops and train groups in ceramic water filter technology in numerous countries. A past Ohio Designer Craftsmen Board member, Smith served as president during the purchase and renovations of the Ohio Craft Museum.
ODC’s commission for any work sold is 40%. Price your work to reflect our commission. Any piece sold within 30 days of the close of “The Best of 2023” (and its traveling segment) shall be considered as having been sold as a result of its exposure during the show, and the 40% commission will be remitted.
Work is insured by ODC during exhibition and in transit to other venues. Insurance values should not exceed 60% of the retail price. Work not for sale (NFS) must list a value for insurance. The museum cannot insure any work for an amount in excess of its fair market value, and reserves the right to limit the amount of insurance coverage on a particular piece. In the event of loss or damage, it will be the artist’s responsibility to provide documentation concerning the value of the work and extent of the claim.
Over $10,000 in awards are presented, including:
$2000 Challenge Award for Excellence
$2000 Yassenoff Family Award for Excellence and Watkins Printing Poster Award
$1000 Director Emeritus Betty Talbott Award for Excellence
plus, other awards for excellence in specific mediums
The following awards require additional steps to apply:
$1000 Artist Scholarship Award
Once accepted into the exhibition, you are eligible to be considered for the $1000 Artist Scholarship Award. The scholarship must be used to attend a workshop in your field. To be considered for this scholarship after acceptance, please e-mail knagorski@ohiocraft.org with your responses to the following: Workshop description, including title and presenter, price, dates, location; and how this workshop will enhance your current work or take it in a new direction. Please do not e-mail responses until after acceptance.
$500 Brooke Hannan Artist Scholarship Award
To be considered for this award, artists must be 30 years of age or younger. The scholarship must be used to enhance the artist's career; i.e., to purchase equipment or materials, to attend a class or workshop, etc. To be considered for this scholarship after acceptance, please e-mail jriley@ohiocraft.org with a brief statement about your intended use of the award. Please do not e-mail responses until after acceptance.
$250 ODC Board of Trustees Emerging Craftsman Award
To be considered for this award, artists must be 30 years of age or younger. To apply, e-mail résumé and proof of age (scanned photo ID with birthdate) to jriley@ohiocraft.org. E-mails must be received by the February 23, 2023, entry deadline.
Notifications will be sent via e-mail in early March. Be sure to enter a valid e-mail address.
Entry deadline: February 23, 2023
Jury results and award notifications e-mailed to artists: early March 2023
Accepted work due: April 3–9, 2023
Opening and awards ceremony at the Ohio Craft Museum: Sunday, May 7, 2023
Exhibition dates:
Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH: May 7–July 8, 2023
Wassenberg Art Center, Van Wert, OH: TBD
Work returns to ODC: October 2023
Artist pick-up: Artists will be notified in early October when works are available for pick-up. If artist requires shipping, instructions will be given for making shipping arrangements. Works must be picked up or shipped by December 1, 2023.
Entry fee: $30; undergraduate students, $20. To receive a coupon code for the student rate, email a copy of your student ID to info@ohiocraft.org. You have the option to pay via this site, or to pay with check or in cash at the Ohio Craft Museum. If you'd like to pay with check or cash, email info@ohiocraft.org or call 614-486-4402.
Membership to Ohio Designer Craftsmen will be required upon acceptance. An individual membership is $35 annually; senior membership is $25; student membership is $20. Click here to renew your membership or to become a new member.
If you have questions regarding this application or about membership to Ohio Designer Craftsmen, email knagorski@ohiocraft.org or call 614-486-4402. See the video below for a brief tutorial on how to use this site and complete your entry.
