Museum Statement

The Monmouth Museum is pleased to present BLOOM, a members-only juried exhibition celebrating renewal, growth, and the beauty of the natural world.

Artists are invited to submit work inspired by the many interpretations of "bloom" through nature, florals, gardens, landscapes, organic forms, growth, transformation, hope, and new beginnings. Whether representational or abstract, we encourage thoughtful, original work that explores the vitality and wonder found in the natural world.

BLOOM will be presented in the Museum's Main Gallery from September 20 through October 18, 2026. Following the conclusion of the featured exhibition, the selected artwork will remain on display as the backdrop for DINOSAURS: The World of Giants through January 2027, providing visitors with a unique fusion of contemporary art and natural history.

The exhibition will be carefully curated by the Museum's Executive Director to create a cohesive, high-quality presentation. Artwork is not guaranteed acceptance, and selections will be based on artistic merit, originality, craftsmanship, and how well each piece contributes to the overall vision of the exhibition.

The exhibition is open exclusively to current Monmouth Museum Artist Members, ages 18 and older.

Submission Guidelines

• Artists must be current Monmouth Museum Members, age 18 or older.
• Artwork must be submitted digitally through Submittable.
• Each artist may submit a maximum of two entries.
• Artwork is not guaranteed acceptance.
• All artwork must be family-friendly and appropriate for Museum audiences of all ages.
• Wall-mounted artwork only. Sculpture and three-dimensional works will not be accepted for this exhibit.
• Artwork must be framed, wired, and ready to hang (no saw-tooth hangers or cleats).
• No substitutions after submission.
• Accepted artwork must remain on view through January 2027 and therefore must be available for the full exhibition period.
• All accepted artwork must be available for purchase.
• The Museum reserves the right to remove sold artwork before the exhibition concludes if necessary.

This exhibition offers Artist Members the opportunity to have their work displayed in one of the Museum's premier galleries while reaching thousands of visitors attending both BLOOM and DINOSAURS: The World of Giants throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Not yet a Museum Member? Join today and become part of our growing community of artists. For membership information, contact Membership Coordinator Jenna McDonald at jmcdonald@monmouthmuseum.org or 732-224-1993. 

Online Submissions via Submittable must include:

1.  Contact Information: Name, Address, Phone, Email   
2.  Artist Statement (max 200 words): Write in first person and specific to the submitted works   
3.  Artwork List: Title, Media, Framed Size (H x W x D), Year Completed, Price   
4.  Artwork Images: Upload .jpeg/.jpg (300 dpi/ppi preferred).                  
   •  File naming: Title_EntryNumber_Media_Size_Year_Price 
   •  Example: Ideas_1_Acrylic_12x12_2024_$450 

   Awards

• Four Juror Awards of $100 each   • Five Honorable Mentions

Important Dates (2026-2027)

•  Call for Art: Open July 6, 2026 through August 31, 2026 
•  Receiving (In-Person Drop-Off): Thursday and Friday, September 10th and 11th, 10 AM – 3 PM 
•  Shipping Due Date (arrive by): September 11, 2026, 3 PM 
•  Exhibition Opens & Reception: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 4–6 PM 
•  Exhibition Closes: Monday, January 25, 2027 
•  Artwork Pick-Up (In-Person): Monday January 25, 2027, 10 AM – 3 PM 
•  Return Shipping Pick-Up (Carrier Pickup): January 26, 2027, 10 AM – 4 PM 

Shipping & Addresses

Ship to (FedEx/UPS/USPS):       Monmouth Museum       765 Newman Springs Rd.       (Museum Drive, Parking Lot 1, Building #10)       Lincroft, NJ 07738

Please include a pre-paid return shipping label. Schedule carrier pick-up for January 26, 2027, 10 AM – 4 PM.

In-Person Drop-Off / Pick-Up Location:       Monmouth Museum, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738       We are on the Brookdale Community College campus. Take Campus Drive → Museum Drive. Park in Lot 1.

Late Pick-Up Policy

A $10/day late fee applies after January 28, 2027. The Museum is not responsible for artwork left beyond this date. Artwork not picked up within one month will be considered abandoned and will become property of the Museum.

Sales & Commission

All exhibited artwork must be for sale. The Monmouth Museum handles all sales, retaining a 30% commission. Payment will be issued to the artist within two weeks of purchase.

Media / PR Release

The Monmouth Museum reserves the right to use digital images of accepted and exhibited artwork for media, PR, and website promotion.

For submission assistance or more information: Jenna McDonald at jmcdonald@monmouthmuseum.org or 732-224-1993. Not a member? Become one here: Memberships | WELCOME TO THE MONMOUTH MUSEUM

Important Notes: Condition, Insurance & Packing

Condition of Artwork: Artists delivering artwork in person are responsible for unpacking and inspecting their artwork at the time of drop-off. By leaving the artwork with the Museum, the artist acknowledges that the artwork has been delivered in acceptable condition. Any existing damage must be identified prior to acceptance by the Museum.

Insurance During Transit: Artists are solely responsible for insuring their artwork while it is in transit to and from the Museum, whether delivered in person or shipped. The Museum's insurance coverage begins only after accepted artwork has been received by and is in the care, custody, and control of the Museum, and ends when the artwork is released to the artist or shipping carrier for return.

Packing Materials: Artists delivering artwork in person are responsible for unpacking their artwork at drop-off and repacking it at pick-up. Due to limited storage space, the Museum cannot store boxes, crates, bubble wrap, or other packing materials during the exhibition. Please remove all packing materials after delivery and bring appropriate packing materials when retrieving your artwork. This policy does not apply to artwork shipped to the Museum, provided the return packaging is clearly labeled and suitable for reuse.

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