October 13-17, 2027                                   Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Call for Conference Proposals

The Confluence Call for Program Proposals serves as a formal invitation from SGCI, inviting members to submit program proposals such as Panels, Demonstrations, INKubators, Themed Portfolios, Mobile Events, Pop-Up Exhibitions, or Outside the Box events for the conference. You can find descriptions and directions to apply to each type event by clicking on the bold text above.

Non-members can submit program proposals; however, if their proposals are accepted, they must have up-to-date SGCI membership.  All participants must be active SGCI members, with some programs only requiring a $25 Sustaining Membership (e.g., themed portfolios). Refer to this page for current membership tiers, and this page to update and/or renew an existing membership. Participants can request an official letter of participation for their records. Proposals will be reviewed by the steering committee and evaluated on the basis of artistic or academic merit, importance to members, diversity, and proposal integrity. See the full criteria and evaluation for reviewing conference proposals.

Members may only contribute to one panel, demo, or INKubator, and one themed portfolio per conference.  Although members are permitted to apply to multiple events, if selected for more than one, they must decide which event they will participate in. This approach aims to maximize the availability of spots for the greatest number of members possible.

Timeline:

August 1: Round 1 for conference proposals closes
August 12: Notifications emailed to program organizers
August 15: Round 2 open
September 15: Round 2 closes

Conference Abstract

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is made up of 90 unique and vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own history, diversity, and character. It is a city where two rivers merge into a third, where place and history have been shaped by the physical barriers and intersections of those rivers, and where smaller communities combine to form a dynamic and engaging whole.

Confluence (SGCI 2027) is dedicated to exploring the intersection of process, labor, and place, while providing a dynamic and practical forum for the global printmaking community. We invite you to experience Pittsburgh’s rich printmaking ecosystem as we move through a wide range of institutions (both academic and grassroots) that help define the city’s creative landscape. From Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh to the iconic Andy Warhol Museum, along with vital community organizations and the print shops in between, the conference highlights the full breadth of Pittsburgh’s print culture.

We are especially excited to introduce new, specialized programming designed for collectors, curators, and art historians, expanding opportunities for dialogue, discovery, and professional connection. Confluence is committed to creating a memorable, inclusive, and accessible event that honors the enduring power of printmaking while fostering meaningful collaborations on both local and international levels.

We invite you to be part of the confluence – where diverse voices, practices, and perspectives come together in a shared celebration of printmaking, learning, and community.

One color version for select applications