Now in its 41st year, Ohio Designer Craftsmen's annual juried members' exhibition, “The Best of...,” features works in all fine craft media by established and emerging artists. Regarded as a significant exhibition of fine craft, “The Best of 2024” showcases contemporary functional, sculptural and decorative approaches to works in clay, fiber, wood, glass, metal, jewelry or mixed media. Over $10,000 in juror-selected artist awards are presented by ODC each year.
Registration is now open. Registration deadline: Friday, February 23, 2024, until midnight EST.
Jacqueline S. Nathan served as the gallery director at Bowling Green State University from 1985 to 2022. During that time, she organized 300+ shows, and curated more than 45 thematic and one-person exhibitions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art from Northern Illinois University and a master’s in community arts management from the University of Illinois at Springfield (formerly Sangamon State University).
A co-founder of the Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green, Nathan has been a panelist for the Ohio Arts Council multiple times, and has received numerous project and organizational grants from state, local and regional organizations. She has been a juror for a number of regional exhibitions, and currently serves on the boards of Ohio Designer Craftsmen and the Bowling Green Arts Council. In 2023, she curated an emeriti exhibition for BGSU titled Life’s Work, and organized the local Downtown Arts Walk and Art in the Park.
ODC’s commission for any work sold is 40%. Price your work to reflect our commission. Any piece sold within 30 days of the close of “The Best of 2024” (and its traveling segment) shall be considered as having been sold as a result of its exposure during the show, and the 40% commission will be remitted.
Work is insured by ODC during exhibition and in transit to other venues. Insurance values should not exceed 60% of the retail price. Work not for sale (NFS) must list a value for insurance. The museum cannot insure any work for an amount in excess of its fair market value, and reserves the right to limit the amount of insurance coverage on a particular piece. In the event of loss or damage, it will be the artist’s responsibility to provide documentation concerning the value of the work and extent of the claim.
Over $10,000 in awards are presented, including:
$2000 Challenge Award for Excellence
$2000 Yassenoff Family Award for Excellence and Watkins Printing Poster Award
$1000 Director Emeritus Betty Talbott Award for Excellence
Plus awards for excellence in specific mediums
The following awards require additional steps to apply:
$1000 Artist Scholarship Award (apply after acceptance)
Once accepted into the exhibition, you are eligible to be considered for the $1000 Artist Scholarship Award. The scholarship must be used to attend a workshop in the artist's field. To be considered for this scholarship after acceptance, please e-mail jriley@ohiocraft.org with your responses to the following: Workshop description, including title and artist/instructor, price, dates, location; and how this workshop will enhance your current work or take it in a new direction. Please do not e-mail responses until after acceptance.
$500 Brooke Hannan Artist Scholarship Award (apply after acceptance)
To be considered for this award, artists must be 30 years of age or younger. The scholarship must be used to enhance the artist's career; i.e., to purchase equipment or materials, to attend a class or workshop, etc. To be considered for this scholarship after acceptance, please e-mail jriley@ohiocraft.org with a brief statement about your intended use of the award. Please do not e-mail responses until after acceptance.
$250 ODC Board of Trustees Emerging Craftsman Award (apply at time of Best of 2024 submission)
To be considered for this award, artists must be 30 years of age or younger. To apply, upload a photograph of your driver's license or other ID at time of application. Award chosen by juror.
Notifications will be sent via e-mail in early March. Be sure to enter a valid e-mail address.
Entry deadline: Friday, February 23, 2024
Jury results and award notifications e-mailed to artists: early March 2024
Accepted work due: Monday, April 1–Saturday, April 6, 2024
Opening and awards ceremony at the Ohio Craft Museum: Sunday, May 5, 2024
Exhibition dates:
Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH: May 5–July 6, 2024
Second Venue: TBD
Work returns to ODC: Late 2024
Artist pick-up: Artists will be notified after the exhibition closes when works are available for pick-up. If artist requires shipping, instructions will be given for making shipping arrangements.
Entry fee: $30; undergraduate students, $20. To receive a coupon code for the student rate, email a copy of your student ID to info@ohiocraft.org. You have the option to pay via this site, or to pay with check or cash at the Ohio Craft Museum. If you'd like to pay with check or cash, email info@ohiocraft.org or call 614-486-4402.
Membership to Ohio Designer Craftsmen will be required upon acceptance. An individual membership is $35 annually; senior membership is $25; student membership is $20. Click here to renew your membership or to become a new member.
If you have questions regarding this application or about membership to Ohio Designer Craftsmen, email knagorski@ohiocraft.org or call 614-486-4402. See the video below for a brief tutorial on how to use this site and complete your entry.
