Call for Art: 7th Annual Spring Juried Show

7th Annual Spring Juried Show

James Library & Center for the Arts
24 West Street, Norwell, MA
 

Sponsored by the Hanover Cultural Council, Hingham Cultural Council, and Marshfield Cultural Council.
 

Exhibition Dates: March 27, 2026 to April 25, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, March 27, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

 

Eligibility

Open to all painting and drawing, sculpture, graphics, photography, ceramic, textiles, wood or metal work, and mixed media. All eligible, accepted work must be available for viewing and purchase in person.

You must be age 18 or older to submit work.

No pieces may have been shown or displayed previously at The James Library & Center for the Arts.

All works must be original and created within the last three years.

All entries for this exhibit must be submitted online through this form.

2D pieces must not exceed 48 inches x 72 inches (including diagonal) or weigh more than 75 pounds, if hung. Works must be framed or otherwise ready for hanging/installation. Pieces must be wired or hanger clips attached on each side of piece. No French Cleat style hangers are allowed. No clamped glass, cardboard, paste-on or saw tooth hangers allowed. Large 2D pieces normally framed in glass that exceed 48 inches in either direction must be framed using an acrylic glazing (such as Plexiglass) only. 

Due to safety concerns, any work found to not be suitably framed may be disqualified and rejected from the exhibit with no refund of entry fee(s).

Any sculpture or 3D pieces that requires a pedestal must be included in entry and available for use should the piece be accepted. Sculpture entries cannot weigh over 200 lbs. 3D pieces must not exceed 36 inches x 60 inches. 

Any work accepted for the exhibition that is not deemed representative of what was presented in the submission process is subject to rejection with no reimbursement of entry fee(s). This includes any changes or modifications to the work.

All pieces must be available for exhibit throughout the duration of the exhibition. All work must be available for sale. A 35% commission/donation to The James will be due within 14 days from close of the exhibit. Accepted works not made available for the full duration of the exhibit will be disqualified from the exhibit as well as from receiving any awards possibly won. No early pickups. No exceptions.

Artists, or an assigned representative, must submit accepted works in person. No exceptions. All pieces must be labeled on the back with artist name, title of work, phone number, email, and mailing address.

 

Originality & Rights

Artworks must be entirely the work of the entrant, executed without the supervision of an instructor.

Artists should have all the rights to present and publish their artworks.

Entries must not be copies or derivatives based in any way on other copyrighted or published paintings, photographs, or other artistic work. Any infraction of this rule will result in disqualification.

 

Submission Fees

$15 entry fee and $15 per artwork*
Limit of six (6) artworks per artist

*All fees are non-refundable

 

Juror

Nancy Gruskin (b. 1968, U.S.A.) lives and works in Concord, Massachusetts. She
received a B.A. in Art History and Studio Art from Connecticut College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Art History from Boston University. Gruskin has exhibited throughout New England and New York as well as California and Washington State and is currently represented by the Nancy Margolis Gallery.

Gruskin teaches painting, collage, and sculpture at a number of institutions, including the Concord Center for the Visual Arts and Black Pond Studio. Her current work is based on direct observation, invention, and memory. Her paintings, collages, prints, and objects are informed by her interest in collecting and museum installations and displays. More of her work can be viewed at her website, www.nancygruskin.com, and on Instagram (@nancygruskin).

 

Awards for Best in Show

$250.00 First Place
$125.00 Second Place
$75.00 Third Place
Honorable Mention

 

Important Dates

• January 5 through March 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST: entries accepted through Jotform.
• March 9: Artist notification and list of accepted works will be posted on The James Library & Center for the Arts website.
• March 17-19: Drop off of accepted works during business hours, 1-5pm. See website for current hours of operation: https://www.jameslibrary.org/location-hours
• March 27: Opening Reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• April 25: End of exhibition
• April 28 - May 2, 2026*: Pickup of unsold artwork during business hours. See website for current hours of operation: https://www.jameslibrary.org/location-hours
  
  *Artists will be charged a $5.00 per day fee for any work not picked up by May 2, 2026.

 

About the James Library & Center for the Arts

The James Library & Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization offering programs in music, art, and literature. Housed in a landmark 1874 Victorian building in the heart of historic Norwell Center, in Norwell, Massachusetts. The James features a concert hall with a Steinway B grand piano, a free lending library, and an art gallery exhibition opportunities.

The James is a vibrant place within the South Shore of Boston arts community offering high quality programming in music, literature, and visual arts.

The James Library & Center for the Arts will use care in the handling of all work, but in no way is responsible for any damage that may occur in moving or hanging artwork. The James is also not responsible for any loss or theft of artwork. Artists should obtain their own insurance as deemed necessary.

The James Library & Center for the Arts reserves the right to disqualify and reject any work that cannot be displayed in a safe and secure manner (including poorly framed or wired work).

You hereby grant The James Library & Center for the Arts an irrevocable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free right to copy, excerpt, adapt, distribute, publicly display, and use photographs of any works accepted for the exhibition, whether provided by you or created or modified by The James (including without limitation, images or photographs provided in the submission process) in The James’s publications and promotional materials in any and all forms and media, including on its website. The James Library & Center for the Arts will use its best efforts to include an attribution with the artist’s name and title of the work in any such use.

You understand that The James Library & Center for the Arts requests a 35% donation/commission for any pieces sold during the run of the exhibit and a 10% donation/commission for any pieces that sell within 60 days after the close of the exhibit and are sold as a result of being included in this exhibition.

By submitting artwork for consideration, you hereby agree to all said terms and conditions stated in this Call for Art.