2026 American Patchwork Show

A quilt is not simply a blanket; it is a tapestry of history, a repository of memory, and a living record of human experience. Each square of fabric, each deliberate stitch, holds a story—of hopes and fears, joys and sorrows. Much like these storied quilts, the American experience is a complex tapestry woven from countless individual stories, cultural backgrounds, and personal legacies. 

American Patchwork is an exhibition that invites artists to explore and interpret this idea through their own stories. The San Marcos Art League is seeking works of art that represent the artist's unique perspective on their culture, heritage, family, and background, contributing a "patch" to a larger, shared narrative. All media are welcome, and we encourage artists to submit work that is both personally resonant and universally significant. We invite you to share the threads of your story and help us create a vibrant, collective portrait of the American experience.

The San Marcos Art League "American Patchwork" will be open for submission between January 5-30, 2026.

Entry is $10 for San Marcos Art League members and $20 for non-members.

Online Entry Submission Closes: January 30th at 5pm or when full

Art Intake of Submitted Art (must be ready to display with hanging hardware): Sunday February 1st from 1pm-4pm at the San Marcos Art Center.

Show Reception: Friday, February 6th from 6-8pm

Art Pickup of unsold pieces: February 27-28 during San Marcos Art Center open hours

Guidelines

1. Entry: Entry is open to all. Entry requires a $10 fee for San Marcos Art League Members and $20 for non-members. Members should consult the member only area of the SMAL website (https://artleaguesmtx.org/exhibit) for the coupon code they were sent to activate their membership discount.  Entrants may submit one (1) artwork for exhibit. This application and release form must be completed and submitted in order to have works displayed. Artwork previously exhibited at the Art Center Gallery is not eligible. Subject matter should be appropriate for all visitors to the Art Center, which is a multi-generational, family-oriented venue located at 117 N. Guadalupe St., Suite 101 on the Square in downtown San Marcos.

2. Originality: Only ORIGINAL works of art, including fine art prints, sculptural pieces, textile creations, decorated porcelain and other pottery works, photographs and digital art signed by the artist will be accepted in shows. We encourage artists to enter recent work, and all entries must have been done entirely by the artist

3. Content: The Art Center reserves the right to not accept any artwork deemed to be inappropriate for the family-friendly venue.

4. Display: All artwork must be dry. Two-dimensional art should be framed, or unframed with gallery wrapped edges (no visible staples Artwork must be ready for hanging on our hanging system with tightly stretched wire securely attached on both sides. No saw tooth hangers. Sculptural and other 3-dimensional works will be considered based on size and display availability.

5. Size Limits: Gallery display methods require that 2D artwork must not exceed 36" in width and 68" in height. Framing must be included in these measurements. 3D artwork must not exceed 36" in width and 68" in height and also must be capable of standing on the floor or a plinth/pedestal without assistance.

6. Drop-Off: All artwork must be delivered in person. We do not accept shipments

7. Sales: Your artwork must be available for sale. Prices may not be changed after entry. Artwork sold will remain in the gallery for the duration of the show. The Art Center will retain a 20% commission on sales.

Artist's Agreement

1. In the event the artwork sells, it will remain up for the duration of the show and the artist will provide a 20% commission of the sale price to the San Marcos Art League. The Art League is responsible for collecting, reporting, and paying the sales taxes to the State of Texas.
 
2. In the event that a purchaser contacts the artist directly, the artist must contact Art Center executive director with all appropriate information. Commission checks for purchased artwork must be made out to the San Marcos Art League. The artist is responsible for notifying the buyer of shipping and handling costs for his/her artwork. When shipping out of state, no sales tax shall apply. The artist is responsible for getting purchased artwork to the buyer when the gallery show is taken down.

3. Selected artwork must remain in the Art Center for the duration of the exhibit, and must not be removed by the artist for any reason, including if it is sold. At the end of the show, the artist is responsible for picking up his/her own artwork on the date and time specified on the entry form. Any artwork that is not picked up will be stored at the Art Center for up to two months, after which it will become the property of the San Marcos Art League. If the art is to be picked up by someone other than the artist, prior arrangements must be made with the Art Center and proper identification will be required at the time of pickup. 

4. All artists who are engaged with other galleries are responsible for securing his/her release from that gallery.

5. Artist Release: The undersigned does for himself, herself, his and her heirs and assigns, hereby waive, release and discharge the SAN MARCOS ART LEAGUE (SMAL) AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS from any and all manner of actions, suits, damages, claims and demands whatsoever, in law and equity for any loss or damage to the undersigned’s property, and for any personal liability.

6. Artist Release: The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the SAN MARCOS ART LEAGUE AND THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS will not provide any security or protection for entries and that their display will be at their sole risk.

7. Artist Release: The undersigned grants permission to the Art Center or its agents to photograph his or her entries only for use in show publicity. 

8. FINALLY, the undersigned acknowledges that he or she has read and agrees to adhere to all the agreements, guidelines and understandings in this Show Entry Letter.  

Please reread your entry carefully as gallery labels will be printed directly from what you type without any further editing.

In the event that you are unable to complete payment using a credit card, please use Coupon Code CJWBS3 and be prepared to pay the $10 (member) or $20 (non-member) fee by cash or check during the Intake on June 1, 2025 from 11am-2pm at the San Marcos Art Center.