Festival of Light: Contemporary South Asian & Diaspora Artists
Ends on
The Monmouth Museum at Dunellen
Juried by Nupur Nishith
Exhibition Dates: October 2 – November 15, 2026 , Monmouth Museum 266 North Avenue, Dunellen, NJ 08812
✨ About the Exhibition
In celebration of Diwali, the Monmouth Museum invites artists to submit work for Festival of Light, a juried exhibition exploring themes of light, resilience, identity, and cultural tradition.
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This exhibition expands on those ideas through contemporary perspectives, highlighting both traditional and modern interpretations from South Asian artists and the broader diaspora.
We are seeking work that reflects:
- Cultural heritage and storytelling
- Personal and collective identity
- Ritual, celebration, and home
- Light as symbol, material, or concept
- Contemporary interpretations of tradition
This exhibition is part of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to amplifying diverse voices and building meaningful cultural connections within the Dunellen community and beyond.
⭐ Juror
Juror: Nupur Nishith
Nupur Nishith is an award-winning artist, curator, and cultural advocate recognized for advancing Mithila (Madhubani) painting within a contemporary global context. Working across painting, murals, installations, ceramics, and digital media, she reinterprets traditional motifs through modern themes, creating work that is both culturally rooted and internationally relevant.
Her work has been exhibited and recognized at leading institutions and juried exhibitions, including the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, where her work was selected by a curator from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, Monmouth Museum, Watchung Arts Center, the Center for Contemporary Art, the United Nations, Gracie Mansion, Morris Arts, Nassau County Museum of Art, and the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Her public art projects include a hand-painted piano for Sing for Hope, displayed at Central Park, Liberty Plaza, and the Asian Art Museum, receiving coverage from CBS, ABC7, and News12. Her work is represented in public and private collections, including commissions for Abigail Disney and acquisitions by the Manes Peace Foundation.
Beyond her artistic practice, Nishith is an experienced curator, juror, and arts leader. She has curated exhibitions across the United States, including exhibitions at Watchung Arts Center, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Nimbus Arts Center, and the art program during the Indian Prime Minister’s 2024 U.S. visit. She has served as Vice President of Pro Arts Jersey City and is a founding member of the South Asian Artists Association of America. As a juror, she values originality, craftsmanship, cultural dialogue, and innovative artistic expression.
⭐ Curators
Curators: Nupur Nishith & Erika Schaefer
Erika Schaefer is the Executive Director of the Monmouth Museum, where she has led a period of expansion, including the launch of the Museum’s Dunellen location. Her work focuses on accessibility, community engagement, and presenting exhibitions that connect contemporary art with diverse audiences. Together, Nishith and Schaefer bring a shared commitment to cultural storytelling and community connection. Their collaboration on Festival of Light reflects a balance between honoring tradition and embracing contemporary artistic voices, creating an exhibition that is both visually compelling and deeply rooted in lived experience.
⭐ Awards
• Four Juror Awards of $100 each • Five Honorable Mentions
⭐ Eligibility
- Open to emerging and established artists 18+
- Priority given to artists of South Asian descent and diaspora, though all artists responding thoughtfully to the theme are welcome
⭐ Entry Fee
• First entry: $30 • Each additional entry: $10, up to three • Maximum of four entries per artist
⭐ Submission Guidelines
- Submission Deadline: August 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST Online Submissions Only: Via Submittable
Required Materials
• Contact information, including Instagram and Facebook handles • Artist abstract, maximum 200 words, describing the concept and connection to the theme • Artwork details including title, medium, dimensions, year, and price • JPEG images, 300 dpi, maximum 3000 by 3000 pixels • Filename example: Ideas_1_Acrylic_24x36_2023_$2000
⭐ Additional Submission Guidelines
• Maximum of four artworks per artist • Acceptance is not guaranteed • The Museum may reject delivered work that differs significantly from submitted images • Wall-mounted works must not exceed six feet in any direction • A sculpture weight limit will apply • Sculptures must fit through a standard doorway and be structurally sound • Sculptures must stand securely or include proper support • Installations may include light or digital media elements if safely installed • Submissions should relate to the theme, including ideas of time and life from its beginnings to today • Mixed media entries must list all materials
⭐ Important Dates
- Call Opens: June 1, 2026
- Submission Deadline: August 22, 2026
- Artist Notification: September 1, 2026
- Artwork Drop-off / Delivery: September 15–20, 2026
- Installation: September 21–28, 2026
- Opening Reception: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 6pm
- Exhibition Dates: October 2 – November 15, 2026
- Diwali 2026: November 8 (on view during the holiday)
- Artwork Pick-up: November 16, 2026
⭐ Artwork Specifications
• Wall-mounted works must not exceed six feet • Sculptures must fit through a standard doorway and may not exceed ten feet • A sculpture weight limit applies • Sculptures must stand solidly or include needed support • Proper wiring required for all hanging works • No sawtooth hangers • Artwork must remain installed for the full exhibition NO EXCEPTIONS
⭐ Sales
• All artwork must be for sale NO EXCEPTIONS • Museum commission: 30 Percent • Artist receives 70 Percent
⭐ Shipping and Liability
• Artists are responsible for shipping costs and transit liability • A prepaid return label with a barcode is required • Inbound shipping must use FedEx, UPS, or DHL • Outbound return shipping may use FedEx, UPS, DHL, or USPS • The Museum cannot accept inbound USPS deliveries • The Museum is not responsible for artwork left after November 18, 2026 • Artwork left more than one month after the pick-up date is considered abandoned.
Artwork is insured by the Museum only while physically on the Museum premises and in the Museum's custody.
Artists are solely responsible for all shipping arrangements, costs, and transit insurance. The Museum assumes no responsibility for damage, loss, or theft occurring during inbound or outbound transit.
Artists shipping work are encouraged to purchase appropriate insurance coverage through their carrier.
Artists delivering work in person are responsible for unpacking their own artwork at drop-off and reviewing its condition upon delivery. By delivering artwork, the artist acknowledges the condition of the work at the time it is accepted by the Museum.
The Museum cannot store crates, boxes, packing materials, or shipping supplies.
Artists picking up artwork in person are responsible for packing and securing their own work at pickup.
⭐ Contact for Assistance
Jenna McDonald Phone: 732 224 1993 Email: jmcdonald@monmouthmuseum.org
Drop-Off Address Monmouth Museum 266 North Avenue Dunellen NJ 08812
Shipping Address Monmouth Museum 266 North Avenue Dunellen NJ 08812