Now in its 42nd 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 2025” showcases contemporary functional, sculptural and decorative approaches to works in clay, fiber, wood, glass, metal, jewelry or mixed media. Over $8,000 in juror-selected artist awards are presented by ODC each year.
Registration is now open. Registration deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025, until midnight EST.
Michele Tuegel served as the founding executive director of Florida Craftsmen, Inc., from 1986 until 2004, where she promoted the work of artists across the state. She later owned and operated Michele Tuegel Contemporary art gallery in downtown St. Petersburg, showcasing fine art and craft work by local and nationally known artists.
Tuegel earned a BA and MFA in printmaking and papermaking from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and was awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship from the state of Florida in the late 1980s to study at Dieu Donné papermaking studio in New York City. Her work has been featured in more than 100 solo and group exhibitions, and she has juried numerous exhibitions and art fairs.
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 2025” (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 $8,000 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.
$250 ODC Board of Trustees Emerging Craftsman Award (apply at time of Best of 2025 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 14, 2025
Jury results and award notifications e-mailed to artists: early March 2025
Accepted work due: March 31–April 5, 2025
Opening and awards ceremony at the Ohio Craft Museum: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Exhibition dates:
Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH: May 4–July 5, 2025
Second Venue: Wayne Center for the Arts, Wooster OH: August 28–October 23, 2025
Work returns to ODC: November 2025
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.
