Home Improvements - The Functional Art Show

Home Improvements - The Functional Art Show will run from March 26 to May 8, 2026 at the Kavanagh Gallery of Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois. This exhibition showcases functional art pieces that serve a purpose in daily life - from mugs and plates to rocking chairs, pottery jars, hand-blown glass vases, woven textiles, candlesticks, and handbound books. All forms of media are welcome, but the key requirement is that all artwork must be functional in nature. Each piece should be thoughtfully designed and skillfully created for actual use.

This regional show is open to artists 18 and older who reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Artists may submit up to 3 pieces with one image per piece, and all work must be original and for sale. The entry fee is $35.00, and jury decisions will be based on creativity, quality of artistry, and originality. Artists will be notified of jury decisions via email on or before February 21, 2026.

The show charges a 30% sales commission for any artwork sold, and Fine Line handles all sales and sales tax. $800 in prizes will be awarded by a judge to be determined. Artists are responsible for shipping artwork to and from the gallery and must include a return shipping label. The gallery provides 24/7 video monitoring and insurance coverage at 70% of the sale price from receipt of work until the show's end.