OPEN CALL: The River We Call Home: Art Inspired by 75 Years in the Connecticut River Watershed

In celebration of the Connecticut River Conservancy’s 75th anniversary, we invite artists to submit work for a curated group exhibition, The River We Call Home. This exhibit honors the Connecticut River watershed as a place of wonder, belonging, and relationship—one that sustains both human and natural communities.

For 75 years, the Connecticut River Conservancy and many collaborators and volunteers have worked to protect, restore, and advocate for the Connecticut River and its tributaries. This exhibition seeks to reflect a legacy of love and stewardship through artistic interpretations of the river as a home. By highlighting the watershed’s dimensionality as only art can do, we hope the exhibit will stir a renewed sense of passion and engagement for environmental conservation among museum visitors.

Two united yet distinct exhibits will be held at beautifully situated river-side locations in 2027: at the Connecticut River Museum (Essex, CT) from February-May; and at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (Brattleboro, VT) from July-October. Artists may indicate a preference for which museum they would like to display their work, and curators will take this into consideration when possible. The art will be complemented by informational displays, a kid-friendly interactive art corner, and supportive historic materials such as a scrapbook and digital media.

Details & Guidelines:

Artists are encouraged to respond to ideas such as:

The river as a place of beauty, reflection, belonging, or identity
Inhabitants of the watershed, great or small
Relationships between people, wildlife, and water
Change over time—ecological, cultural, or personal
Stewardship, care, and responsibility for shared places
Daily life, recreation, or quiet moments along the river
Interpretations may be literal or abstract, historical or modern, celebratory or contemplative.

This call is open to artists who:

Live, work, or have a meaningful connection to the Connecticut River watershed (in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, or Connecticut)
Work in any artistic medium
Are able to deliver/ship and pick up their art at the appropriate times
Artists at all stages of their career are encouraged to apply. Collaborative and interdisciplinary works are welcome.

All media will be considered, including but not limited to:

Painting, drawing, printmaking
Photography and digital media
Sculpture and installation
Fiber, textile, and mixed media
Assemblage or found-object work
Selected works must be delivered ready to hang/display.

Artists may submit up to 3 works for consideration.

Submissions must include:

Contact information [name, email, address, phone]
Artist statement (brief, 250 words max) describing your connection to the watershed and how the work relates to the exhibition theme
Short artist bio (100 words max)
Work description(s) including title, medium, dimensions, and year completed
Images or media files
All submissions will be reviewed by a curatorial panel.

Important dates:

Call opens: Oct 1
Submission deadline: Nov 1
Artist notification: by Dec 4
Exhibition dates:
February 13 – May 30, 2027 (CRM)
Thur, March 25 Reception 5-7 p.m.
July 10-Oct 31, 2027 (BMAC)
Sat, July 10 Reception 5-7 p.m.
Additional Information

All submitted work must be original.
Artists are responsible for delivery and retrieval of artwork unless otherwise noted.
Sales information, honoraria, or insurance details (if applicable) will be provided upon acceptance.
We invite artists to help tell the story of a river that connects us across borders, generations, and ecosystems, and to reflect on what it means to call the Connecticut River home.