Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial

Tennessee Craft invites artists statewide to apply to the Best of Tennessee Craft: 2026 Biennial to encourage and promote a high standard of excellence and design among Tennessee craft artists and to provide public visibility and recognition for the quality and diversity of craft found in Tennessee. The exhibition is open to original works of craft created by artists 18 years or older who are current residents of Tennessee, including students.

Up to 75 pieces of artwork will be selected for this craft exhibition, hosted by the Art Museum of the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. The public exhibition runs October 24, 2026 through December 12, 2026, with a closing reception planned for Saturday, October 24, 2026. Entry fee is $45.00. Submissions must include 1-3 images of original artwork.

Eligible work must be original craft only, with any commercially made embellishments subordinate to the handcrafted work. Finished pieces must show manipulation of materials and originality in design. For upcycled or recycled artwork, the finished pieces must demonstrate manipulation of materials and originality in design beyond purchased or found components. Laser, CAD-, or CNC-assisted works are not allowed unless generated components are subordinate to the finished artwork. Artwork produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, prefabricated forms, or other commercial methods are ineligible. Copyrighted designs not owned by the artist are not permitted. Eligible craft categories include: basketry, books/paper, clay, drawing, fiber/textile, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood, and other.