Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest Exhibition Open Call

Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest 

Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest is a juried exhibition celebrating contemporary kilnformed glass by artists living and working in Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Iowa. The exhibition highlights the creative breadth and technical innovation of kiln-based glass practices across the region.

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts invites artists to submit glass artwork created using kilnforming processes, including but not limited to fusing, slumping, casting, pâte de verre, and experimental kiln techniques. Both functional and sculptural works are welcome. Submissions should demonstrate a strong command of material, concept, and process. 

Guest Juror & Minnesota-based glass casting artist Donna Rice will be reviewing applications. 

Important Dates

Application Opens: February 1, 2026

Application Closes: March 31, 2026

Jurying review: April 7-14, 2026

Notification Date: April 15, 2026

Work must be received by: May 12, 2026

Install Dates: May 17-20, 2026

Exhibition Dates: May 22- July 22, 2026

Eligibility

Open to artists working in kilnformed glass from Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Iowa.

About the Juror

Donna Rice earned her BFA in Glass and Metals from Carnegie Mellon University in 1981. For the past thirty years, she has worked to master the fine art of lost wax casting with glass, and presently maintains DJR Glass studio in Waconia, MN.

Donna’s nature inspired, cast crystal sculptures are included in the Corning Museum of Glass, the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, and countless private collections around the globe. She has received numerous grants from the state of MN, and in 2025, was awarded an Open Studio Residency at the prestigious Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. In 2017, Foci MCGA hosted Donna’s first solo exhibition, and in 2020, she was the featured artist at the MN Landscape Arboretum’s annual flower show. Her “Fans of Light” are currently on display in Foci MCGA’s current exhibit, “Glass by Hand” at MSP Airport.

About Foci MCGA

Established in 2009, Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts proudly represents a vibrant arts community as Minnesota’s only public access studio and education center. Our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is located in South Minneapolis and offers a full glass studio curriculum taught by artists locally and nationally recognized, as well as programming for youth, corporate group experiences, events, and exhibitions. Our goal is to be a safe space for all to feel welcome and engaged, creating experiences that motivate curiosity, build excitement, and advance mastery.   

Artwork Selection

Selected artworks will be determined by demonstrating excellence in one of more of these areas:

• Craftspersonship
  • Demonstrates a mastery of material and attention to detail. 
• Concepts behind the artwork
  • Demonstrates strong original ideas supporting the artwork.
• Creativity in use of the material 
  • Demonstrates creativity and experimentation with the material or process(es).
• Professionalism of application
  • Application has been completed properly, is free of grammatical errors, and includes all required supporting documents.

Application Requirements

• Submit 1 artwork to be considered for the exhibition
  • Include up to 3 images presenting artwork from multiple view points 
  • Submitted images should have a plain background free of distractions
  • The primary medium of the submitted artwork should be glass
  • Max file size 5MB, label as LastnameFirstnameImage1.jpg
  • If selected, images may be used online or printed in promotion of the exhibition.
• Artwork Title
• Year created
• Materials/process
• Dimensions
  • Length x Width x Height in inches
• Artwork description 
  • Describe any concepts and/or processes found in this artwork that will help the Juror understand it fuller. (1-5 sentences)
• Display requirements
  • Does this artwork require any special display considerations? I.e. hangs from wall, hangs from ceiling, etc.
• Artist Bio
  • Include a brief artist biography. Some information can include your background, your pathway to glass, explorations in glass, accolades, etc. (3-5 sentences)
  • If selected, artist bios may be used online in promotion of the exhibition.
• Artist headshot
  • Please include a headshot or an image of yourself working in the studio. If selected, images may be used online in promotion of the exhibition.
  • Max file size 5MB, label as LastnameFirstnameHeadshot.jpg

Artwork Delivery to Foci MCGA

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts is located in Minneapolis, MN. All accepted artwork must be received by May 12, 2026. Artists responsible for shipping to and from Foci MCGA. Artists may choose to include a return shipping label with artwork delivery or opt to be invoiced for return shipping after completion of the exhibition. Local artists may arrange to drop off work at Foci MCGA, dropped off artwork must be packed in a box or tote suitable for temporary storage.