This call is now closed. Entrants will be notified by 7th December. This page has been left up so people can still find instructions if they need to. Thank you to everyone who submitted their works – it is fascinating to see the variety.
$400.00 NZ prize for Judges’ Choice in Show,
This is an open call to artists in Aotearoa New Zealand to submit works for selection for the Cash and Carry Collection The Taranaki Collection 2026. This show will be juried for the $400.00 NZ prize for Judges’ Choice in Show, which will be announced on Sunday 11th January 2026 at the Opening Gallery Gathering.
We are inviting artists who use fibre and textiles in their practices to submit works for selection for this celebration of Taranaki. The show of selected works will be open across some of the busiest tourist season months and this will be a chance to showcase our Province to the world.
We ask you to create work(s) that reflect the meaning of the Taranaki Region to you as a person residing in Aotearoa New Zealand. This can be from any perspective and about any particular aspect of Taranaki that you are interested in exploring creatively. The works may be wall based, hand held or plinth based.
Criteria for selection include
- 1. The work must have never been exhibited before.
- 2. The work must have been created since June 2024.
- 3. The work must not have been created in a workshop session.
- 4. The artist/creator must endeavor to use as many natural materials as possible. The work must be predominantly fibre or textile based.
- 5. Works must be ready to hang or plinth/table/shelf display. Work that is not ready for showing will not be included in the collection.
The Judging Critera for Best in Show are:
- 1. The artist has explored the use of their materials in an innovative way
- 2. There is a strong affinity between the materials used and the artist’s message that is being conveyed about the impact of Taranaki on the maker.
- 3. Any technical or construction type issues have been resolved in an effective manner so they are not distracting from the message of the artwork.
- The work has ‘wow’ factor.
If you have any questions about how a work may be installed and displayed please don’t hesitate to contact the gallery.
Application Forms:
Please use the form below on this page. Each work being submitted needs to be on it’s own form and accompanied by a set of three (3) jpegs showing the work being submitted for selection.
Each jpeg should be at least 1024 X1024 pixels with a file size no less than 1 MB . The form will not accept images over 1MB.
If you are having difficulties with sending your images on the form please email them to the gallery separately very clearly labelled with your name and the name of the work. the address is viv@blacknosugar.com
These will be used for promotional material if the work is accepted into the Collection.
If you are framing and glazing your work please do not photograph through glass as the details will be lost – make sure you photograph the work in the frame of choice but without the glass in place.
There must be a date of creation for each work and a list of materials used.
Dimensions of the finished work must also be included on the form.
Brief written statement about the work you are submitting – no more than 150 words. This is the back-story to the work, not just a description of materials used.
Make sure you complete each section of the form.
Timeline:
2nd December 2025 – Filled in Application forms must be received by now.
7th December 2025 – Notifications of acceptance will be emailed to entrants.
7th December 2025 – Artist Contracts will be emailed with acceptance. Label templates will also be emailed.
7th December 2025 – All accepted makers will be expected to provide the gallery with a mug shot – can be the maker in process or a portrait, as well as an artist statement about the work that has been selected. A brief written section on your personal artistic journey also needs to be provided – no more than 400 words. These items are used for the gallery website and for hard copy material in the gallery.
10th December 2025 – Signed Exhibitor Contracts must be received by the gallery.
11th December 2025 – Works may start to arrive at the gallery. All works must arrive either by post or personal delivery on or before the 27th December 2025. Works received after this will not be included in the collection unless by prior arrangement.
27th December – Last day to receive works. Labels must be received by gallery. All other material requested by the gallery should have been delivered to the gallery by now -Artist Contract, Mugshot, Artist Statement and Artist Journey.
6th &7th January 2026 – Installation of Collection
8th January 2026 – Collection open to public.
11th January – Gallery Gathering to celebrate the opening – artists to attend if possible. Informal occasion to let the public meet the makers.
23rd February – Collection Closed to public at 5pm.
24th February – Artist payouts for sales will be made.