Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest Exhibition Open Call

Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest is a juried exhibition celebrating contemporary kilnformed glass by artists living and working in Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Iowa. The exhibition highlights the creative breadth and technical innovation of kiln-based glass practices across the region.

Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts invites artists to submit glass artwork created using kilnforming processes, including but not limited to fusing, slumping, casting, pâte de verre, and experimental kiln techniques. Both functional and sculptural works are welcome. Submissions should demonstrate a strong command of material, concept, and process.

Guest Juror & Minnesota-based glass casting artist Donna Rice will be reviewing applications.

Important Dates
Application Opens: February 1, 2026
Application Closes: March 31, 2026
Jurying review: April 7-14, 2026
Notification Date: April 15, 2026
Work must be received by: May 12, 2026
Install Dates: May 17-20, 2026
Exhibition Dates: May 22- July 22, 2026

Eligibility
Open to artists working in kilnformed glass from Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Iowa.

About the Juror
Donna Rice earned her BFA in Glass and Metals from Carnegie Mellon University in 1981. For the past thirty years, she has worked to master the fine art of lost wax casting with glass, and presently maintains DJR Glass studio in Waconia, MN.

Donna’s nature inspired, cast crystal sculptures are included in the Corning Museum of Glass, the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, and countless private collections around the globe. She has received numerous grants from the state of MN, and in 2025, was awarded an Open Studio Residency at the prestigious Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. In 2017, Foci MCGA hosted Donna’s first solo exhibition, and in 2020, she was the featured artist at the MN Landscape Arboretum’s annual flower show. Her “Fans of Light” are currently on display in Foci MCGA’s current exhibit, “Glass by Hand” at MSP Airport.