Annual Fall Juried Show

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

Exhibition Dates: October 30, 2026 to December 5, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, October 30, 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

• Julie C. Lohnes brings over two decades of arts leadership to her role as Director and Curator of Galleries and Collections at the University of Tennessee School of Art. Her career spans the academic, non-profit, and private sectors, most recently serving as Director and Curator of Art Collections and Exhibitions at Union College. During her tenure there, she managed four exhibition venues and a collection of over 3,000 items, building on the extensive operational experience she gained as Executive Director of Brooklyn’s A.I.R. Gallery, where she produced thirty exhibitions in a single season.

  Grounded by an MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts and a BFA from Boston University, Lohnes approaches curation with the unique perspective of a practicing artist. She prioritizes mutual trust between curator and creator, focusing on the subtle dialogue between artworks and their connection to contemporary issues.

  Awards for Best in Show

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

  Important Dates

  • August 4 through September 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST: entries accepted through Jotform.

  • October 9: Artist notification and list of accepted works will be posted on The James Library & Center for the Arts website.

  • October 20-24: Drop off of accepted works during business hours, Tuesday through Friday 1-5pm and Saturday 11am-1pm. See website for current hours of operation: https://www.jameslibrary.org/location-hours

  • October 30: Opening Reception from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

  • December 5: Last day of exhibition

  • December 8 - December 12, 2026*: Pickup of unsold artwork during business hours, Tuesday through Friday 1-5pm and Saturday 11am-1pm. See website for current hours of operation: https://www.jameslibrary.org/location-hours
    *Artists will be charged a $5.00 per day storage fee for any work not picked up within the pickup window.

  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.