SMALL WONDERS: Ornaments & Keepsakes

Exhibition Dates: November 7 – December 24, 2026

Submission Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026

Location: Verve Fine Craft Gallery | Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Curatorial Premise

Long before an object rests in a palm, it holds the quiet presence of its maker—the tenacity of the studio, the depth of the medium, and the deliberate processes required to bring something singular to fruition.

For our winter feature, Small Wonders, Verve invites artists across all mediums to reimagine the seasonal ornament. We are seeking non-functional hanging or tabletop objects that explore themes of winter light, memory, structure, and the personal keepsake.

We encourage artists to bring their distinct studio practice to a smaller scale. We are looking for objects meant to be brought out year after year, those with enduring value: meaningful objects created to hold space, catch light, and mark the season.

Note: We warmly welcome artists to share symbols and expressions rooted in their own lived culture and heritage, while asking that all submissions respect cultural integrity.

 

Exhibition Framework

Curation: This exhibition will be curated by Emily Blair Wareham, Owner and Director of Verve Fine Craft Gallery. To learn more about her and the gallery's curatorial vision visit the "Exhibitions" page.

Submission Criteria:

Works submitted for Small Wonders must be non-functional decorative or hanging objects 

Sets or paired items designed to sell under a single price point are welcome

Work(s) do not have to be complete at the time of submission

Scale: Physical size must not exceed 8" x 8" x 8" (excluding hanging cords/ribbons).

Mediums: Open to all fine craft disciplines—ceramics, glass, wood, metal, fiber, paper, stone.

Format: Hanging pieces must arrive display-ready with high-quality hardware, cord, or ribbon. Standalone objects must be self-supporting.

Quantity: Artists may submit up to 5 individual pieces or up to 3 sets for jurying.

 

Eligibility:

All residents of Canada

All Craft mediums

Students are not eligible

 

Consignment Terms:

All works must be for sale

Our standard gallery commission is 50/50. However, as part of our commitment to systemic equity in the arts, Verve Gallery offers a preferred 60/40 split (60% to the artist) for artists of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). We recognize the historical and ongoing economic disparities in the craft world and aim to provide a platform that prioritizes the sustainability of marginalized creators.

Shipping/ delivery: All artists are responsible for any costs associated with the shipping and/or delivery of the works to the gallery, including return shipping.

 

Disclaimer:

Verve Gallery has the right to refuse any works that do not resemble the work submitted or does not meet the standards of quality expected, upon arrival to the gallery.

The number of accepted works is up to the discretion of the Verve Gallery based on quality, curatorial vision and space limitations.

 

Key Dates

Submission Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026 (11:59 PM ADT)

Jury Notifications Sent: Thursday, October 1st, 2026

In-Gallery Delivery Window: October 30 – November 1, 2026

Exhibition Opening: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Gallery Hop Event: TBD

How to Apply:

IMAGES: 3–5 high quality images per piece. Format: 25MB max, JPG, TIFF, or PNG only

The work does not have to be completed at the time of submission. Images can be works in progress or of recent work that reflects your direction for the theme and material quality. Some sketches can be submitted with images of past work

ARTIST BIO: maximum 250 words

ARTIST CV: maximum 2 pages

OBJECT NARRATIVE: A short description (100-200 words max) detailing what inspired the ornament/keepsake and the intention behind the work.

 

 

If you have any questions or issues with the application process, please reach out via hello@vervefinecraft.ca