Artists Invited to Submit Work for Gardens and Gathering Places Exhibition

Bristol, RI — The Bristol Art Museum invites artists to submit work for Gardens and Gathering Places, a juried community gallery exhibition celebrating the landscapes and shared spaces that inspire connection, creativity, and belonging. The exhibition will be on view at Rogers Free Library from Mon., Aug. 10 to Wed., Sept. 23.

The exhibition welcomes interpretations of gardens, parks, woodlands, seaside lawns, vegetable patches, baseball fields, and other places where people gather to enjoy the beauty of natural and human-made environments. Artists are encouraged to explore the theme through realistic depictions or abstract impressions of growth, abundance,
reflection, and community.

"Gardens and gathering places are where memories are made and communities take root," said Trish Sylvester, BAM@RFL Committee Member. "We look forward to seeing how artists interpret these spaces through their own unique perspectives and celebrate the beauty found in both the natural and human-made landscapes around us."

The exhibition will be juried by Paul Olson, a Rhode Island-based landscape painter whose work reflects a deep connection to the natural splendor of Narragansett Bay and
the region's coastal landscape. A longtime educator at the Rhode Island School of Design and Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Olson has spent more than twenty-five years inspiring artists while building a celebrated body of work centered on the beauty of the natural world.

"Whether inspired by a neighborhood park, a flourishing garden, or an imagined place of gathering, this exhibition offers artists the opportunity to reflect on the spaces that foster connection and belonging," added Sylvester. "We hope visitors will experience both the beauty of the artwork and the shared sense of community that inspired it."

Invited media includes drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, fiber arts, and photography. All artwork must be original, ready to install, and no larger than 18 inches
by 24 inches. Artists must be 18 years of age or older.

The submission deadline is Fri., Jul. 17, with notifications of acceptance to be issued by Tues., Jul. 28. Accepted artwork will be hand-delivered on Wed., Aug. 5, from 4 to 6 p.m., or Thurs., Aug. 6, from 1 to 3:00 p.m.

Submission fees are $20 for one entry or $30 for two entries for Bristol Art Museum members, and $25 for one entry or $40 for two entries for non-members. Artwork may be offered for sale, with all sales negotiated directly between the artist and collector.

The Bristol Art Museum does not take a commission on artwork sales.

Questions regarding the exhibition may be directed to bamlibraryexhibit@gmail.com.

For complete submission guidelines and additional information about Gardens and Gathering Places or the Bristol Art Museum, please visit bristolartmuseum.org.