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Colorado Community Threads, Exhibition Call Colorado Community Threads: Reflections on Place and People

The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University invites artists and community members to submit works for our upcoming exhibition celebrating Colorado Community Threads: Reflections on Place and People. This exhibition aims to showcase the diverse viewpoints of community members on the central theme through innovative, engaging and thoughtfully crafted works that explore the potential of textiles to express stories, memories and ideas of Colorado.

Read on for the timeline, criteria, and application process to participate in this community created exhibition.

Timeline

Submission Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026

  • Finished work only

Participant Notification: Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

  • Applicants will be notified via email.

Object Drop off window: Tuesday, August 4 thorough Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

  • Participants are welcome to drop off their completed works at the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising during open hours, Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Exhibition Dates: Thursday, September 3, 2026 through Saturday, December 19, 2026

Object Pick up Window: Tuesday, January 12 through Saturday, January 23, 2027

  • Following the close of the exhibition, participants are welcome to pick up their textile objects from the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising during open hours, Tuesday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

CSU Principles of Community

Inclusion 

  • We create and nurture inclusive environments and welcome, value and affirm all members of our community, including their various identities, skills, ideas, talents, and contributions.

Respect

  • We honor the inherent dignity of all people within an environment where we are committed to freedom of expression, critical discourse and the advancement of knowledge.

Social Justice 

  • We have the right to be treated and the responsibility to treat others with fairness and equity, the duty to challenge prejudice and to uphold the laws, policies, and procedures that promote justice in all respects.

Integrity 

  • We are accountable for our actions and will act ethically and honestly in all our interactions.

Service

  • We are responsible, individually and collectively, to give of our time, talents and resources to promote the well-being of each other and the development of our local, regional and global communities.

Criteria for submission

All submissions:

  • Must include textiles and/or fibers in the final product. This includes mixed media, fashion objects, art objects, and domestic textiles.
  • Must be submitted by their creator who is 18 years or older
  • Can be created for this exhibition or for other purposes.
  • Must be an original or cite the pattern/template used.
  • Must be ready to display by the object submission deadline.
  • Must fit within the gallery spaces- 8 ft. tall 23 in. deep.
  • Creators are responsible for dropping off and picking up their artworks during the designated drop-off and pick-up windows.
  • Must remain in the exhibition for the duration of the show unless withdrawn by the Avenir Museum staff.
  • Be an original work of authorship that does not infringe upon the copyrights or any intellectual property rights of others or correctly credit the creator of the design.
  • Give the museum permission to use the creator’s accepted design in connection with the exhibition, promotions, photos, videotaping, and photocopies regardless of scale or in any other form. Creator agrees to properly credit the Avenir Museum in all materials in conjunction with the exhibition. The Avenir Museum does not prevent public or media from photographing art.

Selection Criteria

Pieces accepted into the exhibition will be judged for acceptance into the exhibition based on the following criteria:

  • Originality/Creativity
  • Technical Quality
  • Artistry
  • Interpretation of Theme
  • Impact
  • Personal and/or Community Connection
  • Adherence to CSU’s Principles of Community 

Only one object per creator will be selected (not including any group projects). Selection of the work shall be at the discretion of the Avenir Museum staff. The Museum reserves the right to refuse to display any work and to withdraw an object from the display during the exhibition for any reason.

Application Process

  1. Fill out the online submission form completely.
  2. Email high-quality images of your submission to avenirmuseum@colostate.edu with “Colorado Community Threads” in the subject line.
  3. The Avenir Museum exhibition committee will review all pieces, selecting objects based on criteria and space available.
  4. The Avenir Museum will notify you via email whether your piece has been accepted for the exhibition on the notification date.
  5. For those with accepted work, drop off your finished piece and sign the Avenir Museum Loan Agreement at the museum during the drop-off window during our regular open hours.
  6. The Avenir Museum will install, host, and deinstall the exhibition.
  7. Retrieve your piece during the pick-up window during our regular open hours. If you do not pick up your object during this time it becomes property of the museum and can be disposed of at the museum’s discretion.

Please be aware:

  • Avenir Museum staff will not handle or be involved in the sale of artwork. Individuals who are interested in purchasing art must contact the creator directly. Creators with work included in the exhibition may provide sales contact information in the exhibition. Pricing may not be displayed in the exhibition.
  • Exhibitions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Avenir Museum or Colorado State University.