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Swash & Serif 9 Submissions

We're looking for the most thoughtful, experimental, and technically excellent typography and lettering art and design work to feature in this year's show. Submit your work for consideration here!

Submission Deadline: Sunday August 31st, 11:59pm

For examples of work from past shows, check out our website.

How it works

Submit up to three typography-focused art pieces for consideration by the deadline
Artworks are selected for the show by September 2nd and artists contacted via email
You drop off your artwork(s) at the gallery on September 17 (details to come)
The hanging fee must be paid by drop off: $55 per artist (supports the show)
Our of volunteers install the show and hang your work
Opening night party! This year's show is revealed Thurs Sept 18 (details to come)
Show runs from Sept 18 - Sept 23
You pick up your work from the gallery on Tues Sept 23, 3pm - 6pm
You start working on your submission for next year!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit work?
We accept work from all kinds of designers and artists from all over the world. Artists are responsible for getting their work to the gallery on time, so don't forget to account for shipping times and costs if you need to mail your work in from afar.
What qualifies as typography or lettering work?
(1) Any visual artwork where the primary conceptual focus or means of communication is type or lettering. (2) The typography or lettering in the work is designed to evoke a specific meaning or idea.
Work can be hand-drawn, digitally created, photographed, sculpted, or created by any other means. Have a look at our previous shows to get an idea of the kind of work we’re looking for.
Can I submit work in any language, alphabet, or script? Yes! We love seeing lettering in other languages. In the past we've featured work in Hindi, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, Ukranian, French, and more.
What size can my work be?
Your work can be any dimension, big, small, flat, or 3D. We don't have strict limits on size, and we want to display your work at the size it looks best at. However, please keep in mind your artwork has to share wall space with dozens of other pieces, and refrain from making it huge for the sake of huge.
What mediums are accepted?
Any and all! From printed works, to sewn, sculpted, etched, or laser cut, anything goes. The more unique or unusual, the better. If your work needs electricity or something else to work properly, note that in your submission and be prepared to bring anything extra you need at drop off (like an extension cord, tablet, or projector).
How many pieces can I submit?
Each person can submit up to three (3) pieces. If there are several pieces that form a series, like a triptych or a small series, that would count as one piece of the available three.
Are there any costs?
If your work is selected for the show, there is a $55 hanging fee per artist to help cover the costs of producing the show. Artists selected for the show will be sent a payment link. Submitting to the show is free, and attending is free.
What is the process for participating in the show?
Once submissions close, our team will take a couple days to curate and select the pieces to include in the show. Within 48 hours artists will be emailed if some or all of their pieces are accepted, and will be asked to pay the hanging fee. Participants then need to print, frame, or otherwise prepare work for display. There will be a drop off window the day before the show on install day, and the show opens to the public the following night. S&S runs for a week, and on the final day of the show artists retrieve their work as the show is taken down.
What kind of work are you looking for?
Work that pushes boundaries, tries new ideas, and works in unexpected ways are the kinds of exciting art that we want to share with the world. We’re less interested in trends or copying popular artists or designers. We aim for variety and conceptual interest when curating the show - we want visitors to be surprised and excited by what they see.
Analog work (not made on the computer) is especially appreciated - digital tools enable us to do some incredible things, but they are also tools of ease and convenience that don’t always breed innovation. The work in Swash & Serif is different, unique, and special, so if you create work with that in mind, there's a higher chance of it being chosen for the show.
I want to sponsor the show or get involved another way.
We'd love to hear what you have in mind, email us here, and volunteer here.