Cami Smith
| Tips & Tricks

Submitting your work to a juried exhibition is an exciting opportunity— but the photo you send is the most important part of the entry. Yes, thoughtful writing and attention to detail are important, but it’s the photo that grabs the attention of the jury.

We use CaFÉ for you to enter our calls; use of CaFÉ is free. Please go to the Fiber Art Now website to see when the call you’re interested in opens, and when you log into CaFÉ, take a moment to review the available prospectus.

We have a few suggestions for you to take a look at before you enter:

General Submission Tips

Read the call for art guidelines—carefully. Make sure your work fits the theme.
Submit early. Avoid the stress of a last-minute entry.
Double-check your application. Review all fields, spelling, and uploads. A little extra time can help you catch small mistakes that could affect your chances.

Photographing Your Work

Clear, well-lit images help jurors truly see your work. Follow these best practices to make your art shine:

Submit full images only; detail shots are not accepted.
Use a clean, neutral background. Your art should be the only thing in the photo.
Photograph your work straight-on. Position your camera parallel to the artwork to avoid distortion.
Keep images under 5MB. Check your file size before uploading.

Inspired by the Gourds, Lee-Ann Dennis, 2024; paper yarn; open-paired twining; 6 x 10.5 x 10.5 in

FR.2019, Rhian Swierat, 2023; polyester, silk thread, rayon thread, fishing line, copper wire, wood; embroidery; 16 x 24 x 1 in.

For best results when photographing your work with a phone:

Use natural lighting. Indirect daylight (like an overcast day or shady outdoor spot) helps avoid harsh shadows and gives true-to-life colors.
Ensure your work is straight. Mount the piece on a wall or flat surface and make sure it’s level.
Tap to focus. Before taking the photo, tap the screen on your phone to set focus and adjust brightness.
AI-generated images are not acceptable.

CaFÉ has a link to their photography tips:

callforentry.org/photographing-artwork/

It’s a Jungle Out There, Marijke van Welzen, 2021; cotton, polyester, wool, paint sticks; textile collage, needle felting, stitching, quilting; 60 x 40 x 60 in.

You can use either a camera or a a smart phone to photograph work.

Writing a Clear Artist Statement

Your artist statement is your opportunity to tell us about this particular piece of art. Think of it as a way to invite the jurors into your work.

Make it simple and informative:

Keep it short and clear. A few well-written sentences are enough. Think about what you’d say if someone asked, “What is this piece about?”
Include your materials. Be specific about what you used. This adds important context and can highlight your technique.
Mention your process. If there’s a special technique you used, share that too.

Even the most powerful artwork can be overlooked if it’s poorly photographed or vaguely described—so take the time to help us really see and understand what you’ve created. We look forward to seeing your work!

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Top image: Allure, Kyoung Ae Cho, 2023; crab apple flower pedicels, burn marks, matte medium, hanji on canvas; gathered, dried, collaged; 36 x 36 in.

Cami Smith is the Fiber Art Now media manager, community engagement coordinator, and a mixed-media artist.

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Entering a Fiber Art Now Call for Art

General Submission Tips

Photographing Your Work

Clear, well-lit images help jurors truly see your work. Follow these best practices to make your art shine:

For best results when photographing your work with a phone:

Writing a Clear Artist Statement

Make it simple and informative:

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