The 2024 Pagey Elliott Puzzle Exchange Guidelines

We are happy to announce that the 2024 PEPE Coordinator is Terra Rodgers of Chestnut and Hemlock!

Participation Guidelines

  • Applications for 2024 will be posted on February 15, 2024!
  • Application are due on March 25, 2024 (Now CLOSED). 
  • Acceptance emails will be sent out by April 7th, 2024
  • Photos: Participants will need to take high quality photos of their finished puzzle and send the PEPE Coordinator no later than June 29, 2024.
    • See the Puzzle Exchange Page for examples of puzzles and good photos
    • Showcase your puzzle on a contrasting background so it stands out
    • Have bright and even lighting, avoiding glare and strong shadows. A cloudy day outside is great for non-directional light
    • Please submit at least 5 photos, including: Front, Back, Figurals and Signature piece, from an angle, or zoomed in Detail Shots.
      • Front and Back shots should be straight down to reduce perspective. 
    • Capture details of what you would like to talk about during the Exchange presentation.
    • Format: 1920x1280 pixels, JPG file type​

Exchange Puzzle Making Guidelines

Puzzle Makers of all levels are encouraged to participate. Learning from each other's creative cutting techniques and sharing that knowledge is one of the best parts of participating -- pushing the art of puzzle making forward is at the heart of the Exchange! Puzzle enthusiasts love to collect our Exchange puzzles! Keep in mind that making extras to sell can help offset your generosity with this trade. 

New to the Exchange or Puzzle Making? Send your questions and puzzle ideas to  the PEPE Coordinator to get more insight into what being part of the Exchange is like, and what is expected. 

  • Each participant must cut up to 12 of the substantially the same puzzle design. "Same" means the same image, size, and cutting style, and possibly series, and pieces do not have to be  interchangeable.
  • Participants must cut their own jigsaw puzzles with a saw, laser, or water jet; this means no die-cutting  and no subcontracting.
  • You are required to prove you have permission to use an image if it is not your own art.
  • Each jigsaw puzzle must be of the same heirloom quality, as one will be going into a museum.
  • Size should be  the equivalent of 6" x 6", or 36" squared. Ideally, your puzzle will have 60 pieces or more.
  • Each exchange puzzle must have packaging that will stand up over time, for example, a sturdy box or container. Temporary packaging such as shrink wrap is not acceptable. 
  • Consult the PEPE Coordinator with any questions about whether your planned puzzles fit the Exchange standards, especially where they are different from the guidelines above

Completing the Details for your puzzle
  • Label: Puzzle Title, Maker's name and Contact Information, Artist's name (if applicable), Size, Piece Count, and the text "Created for the 2024 Pagey Elliott Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange”. See example label below. 
  • Maker's Note: Include a note about your creative process -- a page or less, about your art creation/selection, the artist, how you made it, any particular problems that had to be solved or techniques that needed development, etc.-- include one with every puzzle and the museum puzzle. See the example below, and find more Maker's notes here: The 2021 VPEPE.
  • Museum: The 2024 PEPE puzzle display collection will go to The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, for its permanent collection of jigsaw puzzles.
  • Play: Before it goes into the vault, participants puzzle's will be displayed on a special PEPE table for attendees to assemble during the nightly puzzle assembling fun. Please include your label and creative processes note, as Attendees love the details and will vote for their favorite!
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A Pagey Elliott Puzzle Exchange Puzzle Label example
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Detail Thingamajigsaw puzzle