Exhibition Timeline
Submission deadline is at 11:59pm.
Artworks are selected for the show by Wed Oct 28 and artists are contacted via email.
Selected artists drop off their artworks at the gallery on Wed Nov 11. Our team of volunteers installs the show.
All the artwork is revealed at the opening night party! The exhibition runs from Nov 12 - Nov 17.
Show closes, artists pick up their work from the gallery.
Who can submit work?
We accept work from all kinds of designers and artists from all over the world.
Artists are responsible for getting their work to the gallery on time, including non-local artists. Please account for shipping times and costs if you need to mail your work to Toronto from afar.
What qualifies as typography or lettering work?
(1) Any visual artwork where the primary focus or means of communication is typography or lettering.
(2) Artwork that experiments with type or expands on the way type can convey meaning.
Work that contains text that isn't the primary focus of the piece (ie: dialog in a comic panel, text on a sign) aren't usually considered for the show since typography isn't the main focus of the work.
What kind of type or lettering work are you looking for?
Work that pushes boundaries, tries new ideas, and works in unexpected ways are the kinds of exciting art and design that we want to share with the world. We’re less interested in trends, online challenges, or copying popular artists or designers.
We aim for diversity and conceptual interest when curating the show - we want visitors to be inspired and intrigued by what they see, and continue thinking about it after they leave.
Can I submit work in any language, alphabet, or script?
Yes! We love seeing lettering in other languages. In the past we've featured work in Hindi, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, Ukranian, French, and more. No language, writing system, or alphabet is off limits.
How many projects can I submit?
Each person can submit up to five (5) projects.
A "project" is defined as one framed piece.
If you have a triptych or small series and those works are framed together, that counts as one project.
If your triptych or series is made up of separate framed pieces, each of those pieces counts as one submission each towards the available 5.
Note that this is an update from previous years guidelines. We've made this update to be more efficient with our limited wall space and make room for more voices. Please reach out with any questions.
Can one project include multiple pieces?
One "project" is defined as one framed piece.
If you want to submit multiple parts of a project as separate framed pieces, those would count as separate submissions towards the max 5..
Note that this is an update from previous years guidelines. We've made this update to be more efficient with our limited wall space and make room for more voices. Please reach out with any questions.
What mediums are accepted?
Any and all! From prints to books, to sewn, sculpted, painted, or laser cut projects, anything goes. The more unique or unusual, the better.
See the question about displays for projects that require electricity, screens, or other items.
What size can my work be?
Your work can be any dimension, big, small, flat, or 3D. We don't have strict limits on size, and we want to display your work at the size it looks best at.
However, please keep in mind your artwork has to share wall space with hundreds of other pieces. We suggest artists refrain from making their artwork very large for the sake of being large and use discretion.
Artworks that are 5 feet tall/wide (60 in, 150 cm) or bigger risk not being accepted into the show due to limited wall space, but we try to work around this where possible. We recommend keeping the size of your work to what's reasonable and necessary for viewers to enjoy the piece, without going overboard. In some cases after acceptance we may reach out if we believe the size of your piece could pose a challenge.
Can I change the size of my work after it's accepted?
Part of our decision making process when curating the show includes reviewing the sizes of submitted projects to ensure everything will fit.
We ask that you don't change sizes after submission so we can plan the display as best as possible.
In some circumstances we may reach out about reducing the dimensions of your piece if we think it's necessary. If you feel the need to change the dimensions of your work after it's been accepted to the show, please email us to discuss the changes.
Does my work have to be framed?
We ask that all artworks in the exhibition are framed or otherwise come with the means to hang the work on the wall. This helps the install team, protects your work from damage, and makes your work (and the show) appear professional and polished.
To make this requirement accessible, we accept any kind of hanging hardware: frames, wires, D-rings, art hangers, magnet frames, or otherwise.
See here for hanging hardware suggestions.
Frames are available at different price points at places like
IKEA,
Amazon,
Aboveground Art Supplies, and
Telegramme Prints in Toronto.
Can I submit sketches if my work isn't complete by the submission deadline?
Yes, we accept sketches and outlines in lieu of the final work.
In order to give your submission it's best chance of being accepted, please include a lot of information and detail with your sketches so we can understand your idea and what your final goal is.
Dimensions of your work should still be established and not change after submission so we can plan for the space accordingly.
Artworks need to be completed by the drop off deadline (see above).
How will my work be displayed?
Most artworks will be mounted on the walls. The gallery will provide shelves and plinths for projects that need them.
If you have a specific display in mind note that in your submission and be prepared to bring any components you need for that with you.
If your work needs electricity or something else to work properly, note that in your submission and be prepared to bring what you need to display your work at drop off (like an extension cord, tablet, or monitor).
We cannot provide screens or projectors. Artists must provide these things if selected.
Are there any costs?
If your work is selected, there is a non-refundable $55 hanging fee (total) to cover the costs of producing the show. Artists can pay either online or in cash at artwork drop off.
Submitting your artwork is free, and attending the exhibition is free.
Will the artwork be available for purchase?
Yes. After selection, artists will be contacted about the terms of selling their work at the show. The S&S team will facilitate any sales that come from the exhibition.
For each sale, the S&S team retains a 50% commission, with the remaining 50% going to the artist.
Artists are not required to sell their work to be part of the exhibition.
Will my artwork be shared on social media?
Your artwork will also appear in photos taken at the gallery during the show, and those photos will be used for marketing and promotional purposes. Credit will be given wherever possible.
Artists are asked if they want to opt-in to social media features when submitting their work. Answers have no bearing on acceptance to the show and can be changed at any time.
What happens once my work is submitted?
Once submissions close our team will take a couple days to curate and select the pieces to display. Within 48 - 72 hours acceptances are emailed out. Participants then need to print, frame, or otherwise prepare their work for installation.
Artwork must be dropped off at the gallery the day before the show, at which time the hanging fee ($55) is due. The show opens to the public the following night.
S&S runs for a week, and on the final day artists come retrieve their work as the show is taken down.
See timeline above for dates. Full details will be sent to participating artists when the time comes.
