The Bristol Art Museum's
2026 Harbor Art Residency
Viewing the 2026 Huckins Rendezvous & Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta
Bring your sketch books and cameras!
The Bristol Art Museum invites artists to apply for a unique, one-day, Art Residency aboard Wilco: a 1946 converted steel US Army Support Tug, and now New England's first Art Boat. Presented through the generous support of Bristol Marine, the Harbor Art Residency takes place during the 2026 Huckins Rendezvous & Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta. Traveling aboard Wilco through Narragansett Bay, selected artists will experience the regatta from the water view while observing the vintage yachts, coastline, atmosphere, and maritime traditions that define this celebrated event. The residency offers artists the opportunity to gather inspiration for the creation of new work to be exhibited in East Bay Observed 2026, on view at the Bristol Art Museum from December 6–20, 2026. To support the creation and presentation of new work, each selected artist will receive a $500 honorarium to help offset the costs of materials, framing, and exhibition preparation. Artists that participate will agree exhibit their artwork in East Bay Observed 2026, On View December 6–20, 2026. They will also agree to donate 50% of the proceeds from any sale of exhibited artwork to the Museum during the exhibit. The Harbor Art Residency will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, rain or shine. Because space aboard Wilco is limited, six artists will be selected through an application process. A panel of museum and community arts professionals will review applications. Selections will based on the strength of the artists' work and their interest in responding to the residency experience. We encourage artists working in a wide range of visual styles to apply. While the residency centers on the maritime experience of the Huckins Rendezvous and the Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta, artists are invited to respond through observation, memory, interpretation, or personal vision. The goal is not simply to document the event, but to create artwork that reflects the many ways artists experience Narragansett Bay. |
