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The West Australian Fibre & Textile Association is an arts collective for creatives who have a passion for innovation, craftsmanship, knowledge and networking.

Follow the Thread 2026 - Entry Terms and Conditions

EXHIBITION THEME


In 2020, WAFTA held the ‘Hanging by a Thread’ exhibition at Holmes à Court Gallery @ no.10. Despite adversity – it was the COVID year – 109 members exhibited 155 works and 4,600 visitors attended the exhibition – both records for WAFTA.

The ‘Follow the Thread’ title implies our 2026 exhibition is part of a continuum. Both our organisation, and we, as makers and artists, are continuing to chart a pathway from what has gone before. Today, in a time of great uncertainty and rapid change, we are adapting and evolving as we move toward what is yet to come.

 

KEY DATES FOR ARTISTS

  • Exhibition dates: 16 Nov – 11 Dec, 9am–4pm Mon-Fri, 1–4pm Sun.*
  • Exhibition preview mode: 16 Nov – 19 Nov, 9am–4pm.*
    * Please note: TAC is a multi-use facility, meaning that not all exhibition spaces are open to the public whilst some classes are running. TAC will forward a class schedule to WAFTA closer to the exhibition date.
  • Exhibition official opening: 20 November, 6–8pm
  • Artist talks: 22 and 28 November, 2–3 pm.
  • WAFTA Christmas function: 6 Dec, 2–4 pm.
     
  • Exhibition registration: Closes on 7 September, 2026.
  • Entry information: Uploaded by 20 October, 2026
  • Delivery of artworks: 13 November, between 3–6 pm to Tresillian Art Centre (TAC), 21 Tyrell St, Nedlands
  • Collection of unsold artworks: Between 9am–4pm, on 14 December from Tresillian Art Centre.

ENTRANTS

  1. Entry is open to members of WAFTA Inc. Entrants must be financial members of WAFTA at the time of submitting their entry and during the exhibition. If you are not yet a member, you must join prior to submitting your entry.
     
  2. The entry process is through the ‘Follow the Thread’ exhibition page on the WAFTA website at wafta.com.au only. Paper applications will not be accepted.
     
  3. Artworks must be the original, unassisted work of the person(s) whose name(s) appears on the entry form. On application, the artist warrants their entry is original, is the property of the artist and does not infringe any third-party rights.
     
  4. Each WAFTA member can submit one entry, either as a solo artist or as part of a collaborative entry. Collaborative work is welcome, in which case the entrants agree to share the one-entry guideline and forfeit the right to submit another entry. All collaborators must be financial members of WAFTA, all names must be listed on the entry form, and the entered work will be considered as one (1) entry.
     
  5. A one-off fee of $30 is payable at the time of submitting your entry. TAC is sponsoring the show, and most expenses will be met under this agreement. The entry fee is a contribution towards WAFTA’s expenses, including insurance, promotional materials, and food and drinks for the opening. The entry fee is non-refundable.
     
  6. Registration closes on 7 September 2026. Late registration will not be accepted.
     
  7. During the exhibition, the gallery will be supervised by TAC staff on weekdays. However, there are three Sunday openings (1-4 pm on 22 Nov, 28 Nov and 6 Dec), where WAFTA is responsible for gallery sitting and sales. Artist talks and a Christmas function are planned for these dates. A roster, to cover these dates, will be posted from 1 November 2026.
     
  8. There is an expectation that entrants will participate in the promotion of the exhibition, via their networks and social media platforms. Logos, an online flyer, and press release details will be available from Oct 6, 2026. Please do not post full images of artworks online prior to the opening of the exhibition.
     
  9. Entrants give permission to WAFTA Inc. and TAC for photos of their exhibited artworks to be used free of charge for room sheets, and promotional material related to the exhibition. As well, permission is given to WAFTA Inc. for the use of these images in future promotion of WAFTA Inc. which may be online or hard copy promotion, and include signage.

WORKS

  1. Artwork must have been made in the last 2 years – after January 2025.
     
  2. Members are asked to submit work that clearly engages the theme of the exhibition.
     
  3. Work made under the direction of another person, such as in a workshop or course, is not eligible.
     
  4. The work must consist predominantly of materials that fall within the textiles and fibre art discipline, and/or be constructed using textile-making techniques.
     
  5. All entries must be available for the duration of the exhibition.
     
  6. WAFTA strongly encourages works to be for sale, but it is not a condition of entry. Please note: TAC takes a 30% commission on all sales. Please ensure your listed price is inclusive of the 30% commission. Exhibition sales are treated as goods sold on consignment. Therefore, the City of Nedlands is not responsible for payment of GST. If your business is registered for GST, you will have to account for the GST on the sale of the artwork. 
     
  7. An entry can consist of multiple elements which can be offered for individual sale; however, the combined elements must fit within the specified dimensions and weight.
     
  8. Please note: WAFTA will not curate/cull work submitted for the exhibition, but the TAC Coordinator retains curatorial right over all work exhibited.
     
  9. Dimensions: Wall-based works (2D or 3D): Maximum size is 50 cm x 50 cm x 5cm. The work can be smaller, and it does not need to be a square format. The work should not weigh more than 5 kg. 3D works on plinths: the works must be 40 x 40 x 40 cm or smaller.
     
  10. Installation: All entries must be delivered ready to hang/display. 2D wall hanging artworks may be framed, stretched or unframed and be ready to hang from gallery hooks on wire. It is advised that 2 x D-rings or loops should be attached to the back of an artwork (not just one in the centre). Textile artworks may have a sleeve with a rod at the back, or an alternative similar hanging solution. Artworks need to hold their structures, or be backed/stretched onto a frame to prevent sagging when hung. (If the hanging structure fails, artwork may be withdrawn from the exhibition).

ENTRY FORM

  1. Registration: Entry is only through the ‘Follow the Thread’ exhibition page on the WAFTA website. Entries close on 7 September 2026. Late entries will not be accepted. At time of entry, you will be asked to nominate whether you are making a 2D or 3D work, but you will not be required to provide any further information about your work. Please note: TAC exhibition space is limited. Entries will be capped to 140 X 2D/3D wall works and 25 X 3D plinth works.   
     
  2. Entry information: You will be asked to submit additional entry information via wafta.com.au by the 20 October 2026, including:
  • caption details (name of work, year(s) of making, materials, dimensions and photo credit)
  • a sale price
  • an artist statement
  • high resolution photographs
  • display information. 
    You will forfeit your entry if this information is not provided in a timely manner.

IMAGES

Image requirements: By 20 October, entrants must submit a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 high resolution images of their artwork. These images must include:

  • A full image of the work in its entirety, with edges/borders included.
  • A detailed image of a small section of the work
  1. Images must be of completed work, not work in progress.
     
  2. The work should appear as you wish it to be reproduced on the floor sheet and other media.
     
  3. Images must be in JPG format, at a minimum of 72dpi, but 300 dpi is ideal. File size should be between 1–3 MB per image.
     
  4. Title your image files with your first initial, your last name and the word “full” or “detail”. For example, ASmithFull and ASmithDetail. If submitting more than one detail image, list them as ASmithDetail1, ASmithDetail2.
     
  5. Do not add your name, watermark, or any other text to the image itself.
     
  6. Do not crop, enhance, or alter the original images.
     
  7. Quality photography will ensure your work is seen at its best in the exhibition publicity.

STATEMENTS

  1. Artist Statement: No more than 60 words. Please check for typos and grammatical correctness before submitting your entry information.
     
  2. Display information:  Artists will be asked how they wish their work to be displayed – for example, a landscape or portrait hang. Photos, notes, or diagrams can be used, but entrants must accept that TAC curatorial staff are responsible for final display decisions.

ARTWORK DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, COLLECTION and PAYMENT

  1. All artwork must be delivered to Tresillian Art Centre (TAC), 21 Tyrell St, Nedlands, WA, 6009 by Friday, 13 November, between 3–6pm when the curator will be on site to receive the work. TAC requests that all packing material is removed by artists when the artwork is delivered. Please contact WAFTA ahead of time if you need help complying with TAC’s deadline and packing material request.
     
  2. Artists are responsible for paying for the delivery of their work. WAFTA is not responsible for damage or loss incurred to artwork in transit to and from TAC. Artists are responsible for transit insurance.
     
  3. WAFTA will insure the works for the duration of the exhibition.
     
  4. TAC staff will install and bump out the exhibition.
     
  5. Unsold artworks are to be collected from Tresillian Art Centre, on 14 December, between 9 am–4 pm. Artists should bring packaging materials when they come to collect their work. Collection of artwork will be the responsibility of individual artists unless an artist has made a prior arrangement with WAFTA.
     
  6. Payment of sold work: On 14 December, TAC will submit payment requests to the City of Nedlands finance. Please note: Payments to artists can take up to 30 days. Please note: Exhibition sales are treated as goods sold on consignment. Therefore, the City of Nedlands is not responsible for payment of GST. If your business is registered for GST, you will have to account for the GST on the sale of the artwork.

 

Please contact WAFTA at exhibitions@wafta.com.au for all enquiries regarding these Guidelines and Conditions of Entry, and we will respond as soon as possible.

 

 
   

 
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