The Virginia Quilt Museum will be taking a Silver Lake exhibition on the road to two Mancuso shows in 2027. This exhibition will feature the historic quilt that started it all, Pat Sloan and Wendy Sheppard's versions of the quilt, along with quilts selected from this call for entries. This exhibit will be on display at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival from March 3 to 7, 2027, and the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza September 16 to 19, 2027.
All entries must be based on the Silver Lake Pattern by Wendy Sheppard and they will be judged on use of color, craftsmanship, and overall aesthetic of the piece. Quilts must be finished quilts, but can be any size from a single block to a bed quilt.
There will be an entry fee of $25 to submit a piece for consideration in the exhibition. Entries will be accepted from September 15 through December 1, 2026. Entrants will be notified of the results on December 15, 2026.
A total of 15 - 25 pieces will be chosen by the jurors.
Pieces can be mailed or hand delivered to the museum. Shipping is the responsibility of the artist. The Virginia Quilt Museum provides insurance coverage for all pieces while on display.
All pieces, including pillow covers, must include a sleeve for hanging. The sleeve must be at least 4" wide. All pieces should be clean and free of stains and pet hair. If a piece arrives dirty or damaged the Virginia Quilt Museum reserves the right to not exhibit the piece.
All pieces must be finished and quilted. Tops or "flimsies" are not accepted.
Application Requirements
General Specifications:
- All pieces must be based on the Silver Lake pattern by Wendy Sheppard
- All pieces must be finished and quilted. Tops and non-quilted pillows are not accepted.
- All pieces should be clean and free of stains. If a piece arrives dirty or damaged the Virginia Quilt Museum reserves the right to not exhibit the piece.
- All pieces must arrive "show ready" with a sleeve attached
- Must hang without distortion
- The sleeve must be at least 4" wide.
Artists will be required to provide the following information when submitting an entry.
- Name
- Contact Information
- Title of Piece
- Materials
- Dimensions
- Techniques
- Artist Statement (200 word limit)
- Who quilted the piece?
- Is this piece a collaboration?
- If yes, please list all collaborators and what they did
- $25 entry fee, paid online or via check mailed to the museum
Image Requirements:
Please take the best possible images of your piece. These images are how your piece will be juried.