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The Festival Weekly Artist Interviews Submissions
Exhibitions Canadian Shipping International Submissions & Shipping
Insurance Promotion Social Networking
     

 

The Festival

Where is Oakville?
Oakville is situated 40 km west of Toronto on Lake Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. Oakville has a population of 170,000 and is well served by public transit to and from Toronto. It has a small but solid arts community. The World of Threads Festival is one of the most important events in the town.

Downtown Oakville on Google Street View
Oakville Harbour on Google Street View

Where is Toronto?
 Toronto is located on Lake Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is the largest city in Canada with a population of 3 million. It is concidered the most ethnically diverse city in the world. It has a vibrant art world and a strong fibre arts community. There is excellent public transit connecting the various festival venues.

Queen Street in Downtown Toronto on Google Street View
OCAD University in Downtown Toronto on Google Street View

Who runs the festival?
The festival is run by Dawne Rudman and Gareth Bate with a group of dedicated volunteers. We are a not-for-profit organization with a passion for fibre art. We have received Oakville's Community Spirit award and awards for volunteerism in the arts. 

Can I become a volunteer? 
 Yes. We always welcome new volunteers to do tasks. See volunteer section. This is includes international volunteers to help us promote the festival and do research work.

How are you funded?
Our funding comes primarily from public grants, donations, sponsorships and artists submission fees.

Can I help support the festival?
Yes, you can donate any amount here…

 

Weekly Fibre Artist Interviews

How do you select artists for interviews?
For the first 30 interviews we were interviewing artists who had exhibited in past World of Threads Festivals. We are now looking for new artists to interview and choosing people who have subscribed to our interviews. If you Join Our Contact List we will review your website. If we are interested in interviewing you we will contact you.

 

Submissions

How many submissions do you get?
Last festival we received 215 submissions to the Common Thread International exhibitions in 2009.

If I exhibited last time can I get in again?
Absolutely.

If I didn't get in last time, do I have a chance next time?
 Yes, in the past each festival had a different jury. We have now moved to curated exhibitions. You must submit new work.

Are installations possible?
 Yes, our Call for Submissions is open to indoor gallery installations, outside environmental installations and even independant project proposals.

Are performances possible?
 Yes, make a proposal and we can talk about the possibility of performances.

Can I sell my artwork?
Yes and No. The commission depends on the venue where your work is placed. We do not sell environmental installations or work from independant proposals. Commissions must be negotiated with the galleries.

Can I send my submission on DVD?
No, it must be on CD or in an email.

Do I need to send a detail photo?
Yes. It is highly advisable for fibre art to submit a detail image. Many of the submissions that did not get in previously did not submit a detail image.

What is an Artist Statement?
 An Artist Statement is a description of your artwork and art practice.
Click these links for good examples of Artist Statements:
Gareth Bate | Carolyn Dinsmore | Nicole Collins

What is the difference between a Bio and a CV?
 A CV is a chronological listing of your career achievements. A bio is a narrative outlining your career path, purpose for making art etc. Some of the information is the same, but it is presented as a narrative. It should be written in third person.
Examples: Carolyn Dinsmore | Gareth Bate | Sarah Hunter

How do I get updates?
Join Contact List or join our Facebook Page

How is the work chosen?
In the past the Common Thread International exhibitions were juried. We have now shifted to curated exhibitions with an open call for submissions. We compile a "pool" of submissions. Each curator is given access to this pool to make their decisions.

Will you acknowledge my submission and payment?
 Yes, give us a about a week to sort through the submissions and we will let you know that we received everything.

Will we get feedback?
No, since there are so many applicants we can't offer feedback. If there is something wrong with your CD we will tell you.

 

Exhibitions

Why was my work placed in gallery A as opposed to gallery B?
Curatorial decisions are made by the curator based on where it is most appropriate to show.

Does my work have to be ready to be installed?
Yes, you should prepare your work for installation. For example quilts should come with a sleeve and a rod. If you are local, we may ask you to assist with installation if you piece is very complex.

Do you have opening receptions?
Yes! We have had hundreds of guests attend our openings. See pictures here...

Do you post pictures of the shows online?
Yes, check out the Artwork here...

 

 

Canadian Shipping

Do you pay for shipping? 
 No. We are a not-for-profit organization. Shipping to and from is the responsibility of the artist.

How is work returned?
 All return shipping must be prepaid by the artist.

Any advice on shipping?
Rolling up 2-D work in tubes is preferable and safer.

Containers 3 x 3 feet or tubes 3 feet long or less are preferable. Anything larger will receive additional charges. It is also more expensive to return it.

Do not wait until the last minute to ship your work!

NOTE: All additional charges we receive will be billed to the artist and artwork will not be returned until the fees are paid. Eg. sales taxes.

 

International Submissions and Shipping

How should I declare my international submission? 
 Declare it as exactly "EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY MATERIAL".

NOTE: All additional charges we receive will be billed to the artist and artwork will not be returned until the fees are paid. Eg. sales taxes, (if your work is for example a 'book' and you declare it as a book, instead of "EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY MATERIAL" - the authorities will apply sales tax).

How is work returned?
 All return shipping must be prepaid from your country.

What value do I put on my work when shipping?
Any artwork valued at over $5000 Canadian dollars will be charged additional fees on arrival in Canada.

NOTE: Any additional fees charged will be billed to the artist and the work will not be returned until they are paid.

Any advice on shipping?
Rolling up 2-D work in tubes is preferable and safer.

Containers 3 x 3 feet or tubes 3 feet long or less are preferable. Anything larger will receive additional charges on arrival in Canada. It is also more expensive to return it.

Do not wait until the last minute to ship your work!

NOTE: All additional charges we receive will be billed to the artist and artwork will not be returned until the fees are paid. Eg. sales taxes, (if your work is for example a 'book' and you declare it as a book, instead of "Original Artwork for Temporary Exhibition" - the authorities will apply sales tax).

I'm from China, why aren't you getting my emails?
 It is our experience that emails from China that mention monetary amounts are censored. Please don't mention money in the emails.

 

Insurance

Must I insure my work?
We do not insure work. All insurance is the responsiblity of the artist. This includes incoming and outgoing shipping and while the work is on exhibition.

 

Promotion

What kind of promotion do you do?
We do Akimbo online email ads which go out to tens of thousands of people in Canada and around the world, select magazines, catalogues, brochures, posters, banners etc. Artists and exhibitions are listing on the website, facebook page, twitter.

Some artists will be selected for our Weekly Artists Interviews series.

Do you make email "postcards"?
Yes, we will send you an email announcement to send around to your contacts.

Can I print my own cards?
Yes, all personal promotions MUST include reference to the World of Threads Festival and festival logo and be approved by the Festival Chair.

 

Social Networking

Can I get my link on your website? 
 Yes, if you are accepted to exhibit we will place your website link on our site in exchange for a reciprocal link to the World of Threads Festival on your personal website. We don't currently have a way to link to other organizations.

Do you have a facebook group?
Facebook Page

Can I follow you on Twitter?
Twitter