Exhibition Timeline
Submission deadline. Submit up to three typography-focused art pieces for consideration by the deadline.
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 after hours.
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 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.
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 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. Exceptions may be made if the type is otherwise unique or experimental.
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 pieces can I submit?
Each person can submit up to three (3) artworks.
Due to limited wall space, each artwork can only consist of a max 3 framed pieces or components (ie: triptych or small series). See the next question for further details.
Can one artwork include multiple pieces?
Yes, to a maximum of 3: artworks that come in a multi-piece format (like a triptych or small series) can be submitted as one piece (meaning it counts as only 1 of the 3 you can submit) while being displayed as 3 individually framed or mounted pieces (ie: a series of 3 posters each framed separately hanging side by side).
If you have a larger series (like a series of 5 prints or a full 26-letter alphabet) we ask that you combine all those images into one framed piece for easier installation and more effective use of wall space.
If you submit a multi-piece artwork and they're all very large, we may not be able to accommodate your work in the show.
What mediums are accepted?
Any and all! From printed works, to sewn, sculpted, painted, or laser cut, anything goes. The more unique or unusual, the better.
If your work needs electricity or something else to work properly, note that in your submission and be prepared to bring anything extra you need at drop off (like an extension cord, tablet, or projector).
We cannot provide screens or projectors for animated or video works, artists must provide these things if selected.
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 if not necessary for viewing, especially if there are multiple components in one piece.
Artworks that are 5 feet tall/wide (~150cm) 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 works 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.
Are there any costs?
If your work is selected, there is a $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 on display be available for purchase?
Yes. After selection, artists will be contacted about the terms of selling their work at the show.
Artists are not required to sell their work to be part of the exhibition.
Will my artwork be shared on social media?
We select a handful of pieces in the exhibition to highlight every year, usually in the form of a video posted to the Toronto Design Directory Instagram and/or TikTok.
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.
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.
What is the process for participating in the show?
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.
