Apply to be in the Annual New Providence Community Art Show 2026:

America the Beautiful

Celebrating 250 years of our nation!

We invite all artists and photographers from New Providence and the surrounding areas to participate in our annual Community show in this milestone year marking the 250th anniversary of our nation.

This three-month Community art show, exhibiting throughout June, July, and August each year, invites a mix of the arts, crafts, and photography in a celebration of the American Spirit, while reflecting our country's landscapes, peoples, cultures, and artwork.

How and When to Apply

The deadline is Friday, May 9 for any local resident to submit a maximum of 4 photos of their artwork to be considered for the show.  We are accepting all media - paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography, ceramics, fabric arts, and 3D sculptures (3D to be displayed in glass cabinet, no taller than 15 "). You must upload your photos of your work into the application form online:

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

Most Commonly Asked Questions

• What qualifies as "artistic expression of America?" - Any artistic creation that evokes a vision of the United States. It could be: 

  • • Scenes as simple as an American landscape, or cityscapes, or scenes of American industry or transportation. 

    • People in American daily life, or folk traditions, or the crafts, as barn quilts. 

    • Patriotism could also be the subject, capturing the pioneer spirit, or historical images or representations of our nation through symbols or figures.

    • Brainstorming art ideas for America’s 250th celebration can include:

• American landscapes, from wilderness and farmland to urban and architectural cityscapes

• Interior or exterior scenes portraying gritty urban life or rural communities

• Folk crafts, such as barn quilts, highlighting regional identity and community pride

• Expressions of the nation’s ideals, struggles, and evolving identity

• Reflections on patriotism and the American pioneer spirit

• Explorations of American identities, industrial change, regional diversity, and modern life

• Depictions of American cultures or significant historical experiences

• Allegorical representations of the nation through symbols or influential figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr.

• Who may submit?     Anyone, any age, who lives or works in the New Providence area. Students are welcome

• How many works can I submit?  Up to 4 - We accept a maximum of 4 works per artist, but we are constrained by space so we cannot guarantee all will be accepted.

• When is the Deadline?     Applications are accepted until Friday, May 8th

• Where are the works displayed?  In the Conti Family Community room and the walls of the adult reading area in the front of the library.

• What is the Address?:     New Providence Memorial Library, 377 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence

• When must we drop off our artwork for the installation of the show?: Saturday, May 30th - 10 am to 12 noon

• How long is the exhibit?   3 months: June, July, and August (specifically from Sunday, May 31 to August 31st,  2025)  

• When is the reception?     Tentatively: Monday, 6/22, from 6:00-7:30pm - hosted by all the artists participating

•  When will we pick up our art, after the show comes down?: Tuesday, Sept 1, 10am-12 noon  

Important Dates for exhibitors

• Drop off date for your framed and wired, ready to hang artwork on Saturday, May 30th - 10 am to 12 noon. There will be a curator at the library, 377 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, to receive your works and we will be hanging the works between 1 and 4pm.

• Actual span of the exhibit for public viewing: Sunday, May 31 to August 31st,  2025 

• The reception, hosted by all of the artists, is to be determined (tentative to be held Monday, 6/23, from 6:00-7:30pm).

• Pick up date: Tuesday, Sept 1, 10am-12 noon: Please come retrieve your art from the Conti Room between 10am and 12 noon

Framing Advice

(This is advice for those who inquired about framing solutions):  

Typically, if the work is on paper,  the frame size is 5” more than the image size because it typically includes a 2.5" mat, but mat Is not necessary.

• Amazon.com for frames:

  • For ordering online to be delivered to your home, for you to frame yourself

  • Approx $22 for a set of 5 frames: 11x14 frames with mat for 8x10 photos

https://www.amazon.com/upsimples-Picture-Display-Pictures-Without/dp/B07VQZSLDW?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2GYZHFNQ6SQZ9

• Michaels 

  • For in-person shopping for you to frame yourself, or use their services to frame for you:

  • https://www.michaelscustomframing.com/frame-your-art/?lang=en_US

  • Address: 1515 US-22 Ste #34, Watchung, NJ 07069 - in Watchung Square

  • Phone: (908) 427-5164

• Positive Image Photography & Custom Framing

  • For in-person customer service with professional advice on site

  • Address to go in person: 1283 Springfield Ave, New Providence, NJ 07974

  • Phone: (908) 464-4427