By Hand - An International Craft Nouveau Competition

Blue Line Arts announces By Hand – An International Craft Nouveau Competition, a biennial event sponsored by the Creative Arts League of Sacramento. This competition celebrates handcrafted items across a wide range of mediums, including furniture, vases, jewelry, ornamental adornments, macramé, and sculptures crafted from glass, clay, wood, metal, and/or fiber. There are no limits on materials or techniques.

By Hand and the term "Craft Nouveau" embodies the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative design, where the human touch transforms raw materials into exceptional works of art. The competition honors the skill and artistry of those who elevate everyday objects into meaningful, functional masterpieces. Guest juror Harriete Estel Berman, a distinguished artist working with post-consumer recycled materials, will select winners. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Detroit Institute of Arts.

Eligibility: Open to artists 18 and older worldwide. All artwork must be original and completed within the last 2 years, and cannot have been previously exhibited at Blue Line Arts. Entry fee is $25 for non-members (free for Blue Line Arts Artist Members at $75 or above) to submit up to 10 images, with an additional $5 charge per extra piece. Prizes: 1st Place $2,000, 2nd $1,500, 3rd $1,000, 4th $500, People's Choice $350. Application deadline: October 12, 2025 at 5:00pm PST. Show dates: January 10 – February 21, 2026. Artist notifications by October 24, 2025. Artwork must be able to enter through doors with 94"h x 91"w clearance. Artworks over 75lbs must be installed by the artist. Non-member artists receive 50% commission from gallery sales; members receive 60%.