Sigh. So Fantastic Fibers was always a great exhibit, or it was in the past. I entered it almost every year, and then last year, the juror was the crazy lady who banned me from a series of shows because someone said there was a penis in one of my quilts, and there wasn’t. So I emailed the Yeiser Art Center about that, understanding that the juror was set, and explained why I wasn’t entering, stating that the woman was not a good fit for art quilts. She was incredibly biased. Which I get that everyone has biases and I might enter a show and not know the juror’s hatred of the nude female body and I might not get in because of that. I’m never guaranteed an acceptance; trust me, I’m fully aware of that (been exhibiting my art, quilt and otherwise, since I was 16 years old). That said, don’t state you’re a “nationally acclaimed celebration of fiber art in its many forms. Established as an annual event, it has a rich history of highlighting innovative and traditional approaches to textile and fiber-based art” if you pick a juror like that.
Just to be clear, they never answered. They could have…we understand your concerns, we hear you, and this was our decision this year. We hope you enter again with future jurors. And maybe taken that to heart with the next juror.
Well, the next deadline for Fantastic Fibers is February 2, and everything I’ve seen shows TBD for the juror. I’m not entering until I know who the juror is. And when I say “I know who…”, I don’t really care who it is. I don’t know all the people chosen for these, and I don’t enter shows because I can guarantee I’ll get in…there are no guarantees. I do read their background though (and sometimes wonder about it). I just don’t trust the Yeiser any more. I would trust them if they had answered last year.
So y’all, I emailed again, asked if they had picked a juror yet. Guess what?! (my students would say, “Chicken butt” and they’d be right). No one answered.
So I don’t know what to do about that. I keep checking the website and the Cafe entry form, hoping it will change, but it hasn’t. I’m disappointed…maybe it’s just a matter of no one updating the Cafe form…but also, I appreciate art centers who support the artists, and sometimes that support includes answering emails. Torture, I know (I have to answer MY work emails within 24 hours of receiving them; I know some places are short-staffed, but this seems like an easy one). I did email a week ago…maybe the answer is still forthcoming.
Kathy Nida 