Theme: From Artefact to Eco-Act
The Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) is pleased to announce the official Call for Artists for Fashion Forward 2026, taking place Saturday, March 28, 2026 at OMAH. This highly anticipated event invites artists, designers, and makers to transform objects, stories, and histories into wearable works of art.
This year’s theme, From Artefact to Eco-Act, challenges participants to draw inspiration from artefacts in OMAH’s permanent collection while embracing sustainable, found, and repurposed materials. The theme celebrates creativity at the intersection of art, heritage, and environmental consciousness—all expressed through innovative fashion.
“Fashion Forward is a space where creativity moves beyond the runway,” says Ninette Gyorody, Executive Director of OMAH. “We’re excited to see artists interpret our collection in bold and imaginative ways while exploring how sustainability and storytelling can shape what we wear and how we understand our local history.”
Artist Eligibility
Fashion Forward 2026 is open to:
● Artists, artisans, designers, and makers of all experience levels
● Individual creators or collaborative teams
● Students and youth artists
All works must be original, wearable, and safe for runway or static display presentation.
Artists must be available for dress rehearsal on March 21, 2026 and the event date.
Submission Requirements
Artists are asked to submit proposals that include:
● Artist Name(s) & Contact Information
● Project Title & Concept Description (max 100 words)
● Selected object from OMAH’s collection (identified by accession number/Object ID)*
● Sketches or concept images (up to 5, PDF or JPG)
● Materials list (with focus on recycled/repurposed materials)
● Short artist bio (max 100 words)
● Model needs (self-model or required model)
*Artists may book an appointment to view collection objects in person or browse the collection online.
All submissions must be sent via the Fashion Forward 2026 Submission Form by Friday, December 19, 2025.
Key Dates
Date Milestone
November 24, 2025 Call for Artists opens
December 19, 2025 Submission deadline
January 9, 2026 Artists notified
March 21, 2026 Dress rehearsal
March 28, 2026 Fashion Forward event
Additional Opportunities for Selected Artists
● Pre-event photography
● Inclusion in promotional videos and social media campaigns
● Display of at least one rendering in an accompanying exhibition (March 28–May 2026)
Selection Criteria
Submissions will be assessed based on:
● Creativity & Originality — fresh interpretation of the theme
● Connection to Art/History/Environment — meaningful engagement with artefacts or
stories
● Craftsmanship & Presentation — quality and cohesion of design
● Feasibility & Safety — ability to wear or display the piece on the runway
How to Apply
Artists may submit questions or entries to:
executivedirector@orilliamuseum.org
Subject line: Fashion Forward 2026 Submission
