Bristol Art Museum Announces Call for Art for Interpretations of Cultivated Nature

The Bristol Art Museum and Rogers Free Library announce a call for art for Into the Garden: Art Depicting Cultivated Nature, an exhibit that examines the intersection of nature, beauty, and human creativity. The exhibit will be on view in the Community Galleries at the library from Mon., Apr. 28 to Wed. Jun. 11. Barbara Edlund Healy, a juried member of the National Association of Women Artists and the Cape Cod Art Center, will serve as the exhibit’s juror.  

This exhibit seeks original works of art that reflect personal interpretations of the garden—whether large or small, organized or wild, ornamental or functional. Artists are encouraged to think about the garden as a space that bridges human artistry with the natural world. What makes a garden inviting or useful? What flora, fauna, and imaginative elements fill these spaces? These are some of the questions artists are invited to explore through their submissions.

"A garden is a canvas where beauty and purpose come together. Whether it's a small flower bed or a sprawling field, gardens reflect the harmony between nature and creativity,” said  Karen Rich, a member of the Bristol Art Museum/ Rogers Free Library Committee. “We invite artists to explore their personal definition of a garden — from the plants and flowers that thrive there to the animals and objects that make it a welcoming space. This exhibit is an opportunity to showcase how gardens can be both artistic and functional, wild and serene."

Healy is a Connecticut native who studied textile design at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and draws inspiration from the landscapes and gardens of the South Coast. Her work reflects her deep connection to the rhythms of nature and its integration into artistic expression.

Submission Details:
Artists 18 and older may submit up to three works. Submission fees for Museum Members are $20 for one submission and $30 for two. For non-members, $25 for one submission and $40 for two. Works must be submitted online here by midnight on Mon., Mar. 31, 2025. Final selections will be announced by Fri., Apr. 11. 

Artwork Requirements:
Original works only, sized for ease of shipping, and ready for installation with plexiglass or shatterproof materials (no glass). Accepted media include drawings, paintings, printmaking, collage, fiber arts, or photography. No 3-D works (e.g. sculpture) will be accepted. Artwork must not exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in size and be ready to install with a wire on the back

Additional details can be found on the Museum website.
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For more information or questions, please contact [email protected].

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