MALVERN, PA — The Wharton Esherick Museum is accepting submissions through January 10, 2027, for its 33rd annual juried woodworking exhibition, offering emerging and established artists an opportunity to exhibit work examining how design responds to everyday life, individual needs, and the spaces people inhabit.
The exhibition, titled “Design for Living,” will form part of the museum’s 2027 programming examining the relationship between American furniture maker Wharton Esherick’s work and broader developments in design.
The competition is open to artists across all disciplines, provided their submitted work incorporates wood. Entries may include objects created for particular individuals, communities or spaces, as well as pieces exploring how physical abilities, personal circumstances and daily activities influence design.
A three-member jury will select exhibition finalists through a blind review of submitted images, according to the museum.
The jurors are Jermaine Jenkins, director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at the American Institute of Architects’ Philadelphia Chapter and DesignPhiladelphia; Sarah Darro, chief curator and exhibitions director at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; and Emily Zilber, the museum’s director of Curatorial Affairs and Strategic Partnerships.
Submissions will be evaluated on craftsmanship, technical proficiency, aesthetics, and the originality of their response to the exhibition’s theme. Applicants are encouraged to provide high-quality photographs, and selected works must remain available throughout the exhibition.
The theme reflects Esherick’s approach to creating furniture and other objects for specific people and domestic environments. His work drew on design movements including the Bauhaus, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modernism while combining functional considerations with artistic expression.
Throughout 2027, the museum plans to examine those influences through exhibitions and public programs addressing Esherick’s place in design history and his continuing relevance to contemporary artists.
The annual competition extends that examination to current woodworking practices, including designs shaped by accessibility, cultural context, individual preferences, and changing patterns of daily life.
Artists interested in participating must submit their entries by January 10, 2027.
Competition information and submission requirements are available at https://whartonesherickmuseum.org/open-call/33rd-annual-juried-woodworking-exhibition/.
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