Call for Artists: Grantsville Barn Quilts

Deadline to submit: November 30, 2025 at 11:59pm EST

The Garrett County Arts Council and the Grantsville Arts & Entertainment District (“A&E District”) are excited to announce a new public art project for four Grantsville Barn Quilts! Funded by one of MD250’s Inclusive History Grants, this initiative features aluminum signs varying in size from 4x4 feet to 8x8 feet, which will be displayed within or visible from the A&E District; artists are now sought to design the painted original or heritage quilt pattern, which will be painted by A&E staff and volunteers onto thin coated aluminum. This public art project will commission four artists or artist-teams who create designs that celebrate the unique heritage of Grantsville, its history with the National Road, and its untold Appalachian stories!

 

General Terms

Submission of design concept is due by November 30, 2025. If commissioned for the project, a contract will be signed within one month for the use of the design and payment of Artist Honorarium in the amount of $300 will be remitted to the artist. Artists will retain full rights to their image, with GCAC purchasing the rights to display the image publicly with credit to the artist as well as permission to create the public art Barn Quilt at a size selected by GCAC and displayed within the A&E District, or visible therefrom, as selected by GCAC. GCAC will have the right to use the image for promotional purposes. A dedication event will be scheduled upon completion of all four barn quilts.

 

Artist Eligibility

Artists or artist-teams selected for this project will demonstrate proficiency with their medium and follow these guidelines:

  • Eligible artists are locally established or emerging individual artists or artist-teams from the tri-state Appalachian region (Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania). Garrett County-based artists are strongly encouraged to submit their work for consideration. 

  • Eligible artists are not members of GCAC Board or Staff; eligible artist-teams do not include a member of GCAC Board or Staff. 

  • Eligible artists (at least one (1) artist within an artist-team) are 18+, or minor applicants must be sponsored by their legal parent/guardian.

 

Project Specifications

  • Artists are expected to research the Appalachian heritage and cultural arts of the Grantsville region and the historical use of quilts generally, with the goal of creating a design that tells an untold story within this region.

  • Artists must submit with their design a statement explaining the research conducted and the story told in their design.

    • Please explain your design concept, including the historical story(ies) underlying your chosen pattern and colors. How does your design tell an untold story of this region? 

  • Artwork must be a design created for a 2D public art square sign.

  • Artwork must use no more than eight (8) solid colors, primarily utilizing straight-edge shapes. 

  • Artwork must comply with copyright laws in utilizing a heritage or original quilt design.

  • Any images generated through AI are not eligible and will not be considered.

  • Artists can not use any overt religious, political, or branded imagery.

The proposed artistic concept is to be submitted by November 30, 2025. Based upon the Call for Artists submittals and jury responses, four artists/artist-teams will be jury-selected. 

Upon jury-selection, selected artists or artist-teams and GCAC shall enter an agreement for the use of the design in the Grantsville Barn Quilt project, with an Artist Honorarium paid to the selected artists of $300.

 

Terms

The selected artist/team will receive a project honorarium of $300.00 for the use of their design. Artists will retain full rights to their image, with GCAC purchasing the rights to display the image publicly with credit to the artist as well as permission to create the public art Barn Quilt at a size selected by GCAC and displayed within the A&E District, or visible therefrom, as selected by GCAC. GCAC will have the right to use the image for promotional purposes.

How to Apply:

Submit artist design via .jpg or .pdf, along with artist statement, to Miriam Sincell at miriam@garrettarts.org.

Review of Work & Selection of Artist

The Grantsville Public Art Committee will juror the applications and make the final artist selections.  Work submitted for the proposal should be recent work (within two years) and representative of the artist’s body of work; if selected for the project, the artist will have an opportunity to submit newer work for consideration. 

Grantsville Barn Quilts Application Information

The Garrett County Arts Council (GCAC) manages the Grantsville Arts & Entertainment District. The Grantsville A&E District has received an Inclusive History Grant through MD250.  The purpose of this project is to install 4 Barn Quilts within or visible from the Grantsville A&E District. The call for artists is for the commission for the use of their designs to create a heritage-inspired public art for the community and visiting tourists to enjoy.

The aluminum signs will be painted by GCAC staff and volunteers.

Promotion

GCAC may distribute photographs of the commissioned artwork for this project for promotion purposes, including  press releases, and photographs may be sent to local and regional organizations for use in relevant online calendars and/or websites.