INFORMATION FOR MAKERS

Important Dates to Remember

Call for Entries Announcement - June 12, 2026

Application Deadline (with $40 Jury Fee) - September 11, 2026

Acceptance Results Announced (By Email) - September 22, 2026

Entry Fee(s) Due to Confirm Acceptance - October 26, 2026

Delivery of Furniture, Pedestal & Accessories - October 26, 2026  9 AM to 3 PM

Tax Free Designer/VIP Buyer Preview Event - October 29, 2026

Show Opens to Public - October 30, 2026

Educational Seminar (Separate Registration) - November 7, 2026  1-3PM

Awards Ceremony & Reception - November 7, 2026 5:30 PM to 8 PM

Judges’ Critique for Accepted Artists - November 8, 2026 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Fundraiser Auction Ends - December 5, 2026 6:00 PM

Last Day of Furniture Show - December 12, 2026

Pick Up Furniture - December 13, 2026 9 AM - 3 PM

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

KERR ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER:

The Kerr Arts & Cultural Center (KACC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in the Texas Hill Country. The 27th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show will run for six weeks, with the gallery open Tuesday through Saturday. As always, admission is free to the public. Commissions generated through furniture and accessory sales help to support the arts center’s operation of this and other cultural events. If a piece of furniture sells after leaving the Show to a buyer who was introduced to it at TFMS, exhibitors are requested to remit the applicable commission to the KACC.

APPLICATION:

Please complete the online Entry Application at www.tinyurl.com/2026TFMSapply and pay your Jury Fee for up to three pieces. Paper applications, printed photos, and payment by check remain available for those who prefer them and may be mailed to: KACC - Furniture Show, P.O. Box 293634, Kerrville, TX 78029. Applications must be received no later than September 11, 2026. Payments may also be sent via PayPal to arts@kacckerrville.com.

Applicants must provide at least one high-quality photograph for each piece entered. Photographs of the actual piece are strongly preferred. If a piece is still in progress or not started, applicants should provide a rendering or drawing as well as photos of previous representative work. First-time applicants must provide photographs of the actual piece being entered. The piece may be unfinished, but it must be substantially complete and representative of the final work. Applications received without the required photographs will be considered incomplete and may not be evaluated by the jury.

Photographs should be emailed to arts@kacckerrville.com by the application deadline. A maximum of three photographs per piece. Photos should be submitted as JPG files and resized to no more than 2000 pixels on the longest side. Individual files should not exceed 2 MB. Images should be well lit, in focus, and accurately represent the work. Include at least one overall view. Additional photos should show other angles or highlight important details.

FIRST-TIME EXHIBITORS:

New exhibitors are encouraged to apply. Many successful participants made their first exhibition appearance at the Texas Furniture Makers Show. The Show is committed to supporting both professional and non-professional makers at all stages of their development through educational programming, judges' critiques, and opportunities to exhibit alongside more experienced furniture makers.

ENTRY FEE(S):

A $150 entry fee will be payable for each accepted piece and includes professional photography of the work as well as complimentary admission to the Educational Seminar. Payment of entry fee(s) is due no later than furniture delivery day on October 26th.

DELIVERY:

Furniture should be delivered at the rear loading dock of the KACC (on Main Street across from the courthouse) on Monday, October 26th, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Helpers will be onsite on this date only to assist with unloading. Each piece will be professionally photographed on delivery day. Delivery can be made on an earlier date by special arrangement with the KACC Director. To ensure proper registration, photography, and staging of the Show, furniture will NOT be accepted after the delivery date noted above.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Every accepted entry will be professionally photographed on delivery day. As part of the exhibition experience, makers will receive access to high-resolution digital images suitable for portfolios, publications, websites, and promotional use. Publication is permitted; however, we ask that photo credit be given to the official TFMS photographer, Mike Roberts. The KACC and TFMS reserves the right to use photographs supplied by exhibitors, as well as images captured during the Show, for promotional and publicity purposes.

FURNITURE SALES:

Accepted exhibitors may choose to offer their work for sale if desired. Exhibiting a piece that is not for sale does not affect award eligibility. If a piece is sold during the event, a 25% commission will be retained by the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center which helps support the Texas Furniture Makers Show. No commission is due on unsold work. Once established, sale prices must remain in effect for the duration of the exhibition. Pricing assistance is available upon request.

HANDCRAFTED:

The Texas Furniture Makers Show celebrates original handcrafted work created by Texas makers. The use of hand tools, power tools, and other fabrication equipment is permitted. Applicants should disclose any significant components or services provided by others, such as upholstery, glass fabrication, metal fabrication, stone work, casting, finishing, or similar specialty work. This information is used for evaluation purposes and does not automatically affect eligibility for exhibition or awards.

COLLABORATIONS:

Collaborative entries are welcome. If a piece was created by more than one maker, all contributors should be identified on the application. Collaborative works will be considered as a single entry and any awards received will be awarded to the piece as a whole.

ACCESSORIES:

Accepted exhibitors are encouraged to submit handcrafted accessories and small works for sale in the KACC’s Derby Gallery. Examples include holiday items, cutting or charcuterie boards, boxes, toys, production décor, and similar works. There is no entry fee for accessory items; however, a 30% sales commission applies.

CATEGORIES: Each piece of furniture must be designated to compete in a specific category.

• Contemporary Style – Mid-Century Modern design through current day aesthetics with an emphasis on functionality and clean lines which may be straight or curvilinear.

• Traditional Style – Reproductions of classic forms and historical styles up to but not including Mid-Century Modern. For example, Federal, Shaker, Craftsman, or Art Deco. May be period correct or an updated interpretation (such as a Maloof rocker).

• Texas Style – Inspired by Texas materials, motifs, culture, and/or the Western lifestyle. May be rustic, refined, sculptural, or interpretive in design.

• Art Style – Unique or highly artistic furniture design emphasizing visual impact or creative expression. May be thematic, sculptural, playful, whimsical, or conceptually driven. Must be furniture but may or may not be functional.

• Home Accents - Decorative and/or functional objects intended primarily for enhancement of an interior. May include gallery-quality lighting, mirrors, clocks, wall-mounted works, sculptural objects, or turned forms.

• Emerging Artist – Someone who has been making furniture for less than five years and has not received any award for furniture making. May be any style.

AWARDS:

Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges selected for their accomplishments in furniture making, design, and related fields. Pieces will be judged on degree of difficulty, quality of craftsmanship & finish (60%) and elements of design (40%). To ensure impartial evaluation, judges will review entries without knowledge of the maker's identity. The awards ceremony will be held from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, November 7, 2026. In addition to the awards listed below, judges and sponsors will recognize other deserving entries with prizes and/or ribbons. Last year, participating makers received more than $14,000 in cash awards, gift certificates, and merchandise.

• Jim Derby - Best of Show $1,000 cash award.

• Second Place - $ 800 cash award.

• Third place - $ 700 cash award.

• Best Contemporary Style Furniture - $ 600 cash award.

• Best Traditional Style Furniture - $ 600 cash award.

• Best Texas Style Furniture - $ 600 cash award.

• Best Art Style Furniture - $ 600 cash award.

• Best Home Accents - $600 cash award.

• Johnny Jones Best Craftsmanship (Thru 2029) - $500 cash award.

• Best Emerging Artist - $ 400

• Woodcraft People’s Choice - $ 200 gift card.

• Sponsored and Judges Special Awards - $ Varies

DISPLAY PEDESTAL:

All pieces must be displayed on a standardized pedestal provided by the exhibitor (see Attachment "A"), unless wall-mounted. For special circumstances, the KACC maintains a limited number of pedestals that may be borrowed by prior arrangement. Exhibitors may display business cards and promotional materials (subject to approval) adjacent to their work. Accepted exhibitors should also provide a written description of each piece for display including the selected competition category and sale price, if applicable.

SEMINAR:

One of the most valuable benefits of participating in the Texas Furniture Makers Show is the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field. An educational seminar featuring members of the judging panel will be held on Saturday afternoon, November 7th from 1 PM to 3 PM. Topics will explore furniture design, craftsmanship, and professional practice. Separate registration is required. Exhibitors will receive a promotional code for complimentary admission. Admission for guests and members of the general public is $20.

JUDGES CRITIQUE:

The Judges will provide feedback to exhibitors who wish to attend an exclusive critique session from 9 AM to 12 Noon on Sunday, November 8th. This opportunity is not to be missed as it provides makers the chance to receive direct feedback, ask questions, and gain insights that can help guide their future growth and development. The session is held while the KACC is closed to the public, allowing exhibitors to engage directly with the judging panel in a relaxed setting.

PICK UP:

Furniture must remain on exhibit for the entire duration of the TFMS and cannot be picked up early. The last day of the Show is Saturday, December 12th. Furniture that has not sold must be picked up on Sunday, December 13th between 9 AM and 3 PM. Furniture may only be picked up on a later date by prior arrangement with the KACC Director. We cannot store your furniture at the KACC after the TFMS has concluded. Furniture not picked up within 90 days will be considered to have been abandoned and become the property of the KACC.

MARKETING: The TFMS is promoted through print and digital media, social media campaigns, and industry partnerships with our sponsors. The exhibition will also be featured on our website, www.TexasFurnitureMakersShow.org, and through our social media accounts including Facebook/Texas.Furniture.Makers.Show and Instagram/TexasFurnitureMakersShow. Furniture makers are strongly encouraged to use hashtags #texasfurnituremakersshow and #KACCKerrville when posting about their entries in the Show on their own social media accounts. Also, please provide contact information for your hometown newspaper so that they can be notified.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:

Texas Furniture Makers Show™, TFMS™, and associated logos are trademarks of Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, Inc.

ATTACHMENT “A”
Display Pedestal Specifications

Standardized exhibit pedestals greatly enhance the visual impact of the furniture on display in the gallery.

SIZE:

The minimum size of the pedestal is 16 inches long x 16 inches wide x 2 inches high.
The maximum amount of space a pedestal may occupy is 8 feet x 8 feet.
The pedestal should not exceed the size of the furniture by more than 6 inches in any direction.

CONSTRUCTION:

Pedestal top and sides should be constructed of 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch smooth plywood. Sides may also be constructed from paint grade solid wood.
Fastening shall be done with #6 finishing nails or trim screws and glued with suitable wood glue. Fastener holes should be filled and sanded flush.
An internal support should be provided for spans exceeding 24 inches.
Oversize pedestals may be constructed in several pieces.

FINISH:

Pedestals should be sanded with a minimum of 120 grit sandpaper prior to finish.
One coat of KILZ primer (or equivalent) shall be applied as the first coat.
Two coats of Sherwin Williams Alabaster (white) #7008 satin latex paint shall be applied.

NOTE:

The Show Committee reserves the right to substitute pedestals to enhance the appearance of the show. KACC reserves the right to not accept donated pedestals at the end of the Show that are too large for storage.