.png)
CALL FOR ENTRIES
OPENS JULY 6
SUMMARY
BLOOM is A Members-Only Juried Exhibit
Juried by Monmouth Museum's executive director, Erika Schaefer
Celebrate creativity inspired by nature.
The Monmouth Museum invites current Artist Members to submit artwork for BLOOM, a juried exhibition celebrating renewal, growth, transformation, and the beauty of the natural world.
Current Monmouth Museum Artist Members, age 18 and older, may submit up to two original artworks for consideration.
four $100 awards + honorable mentions
Not an Artist Member yet?
Join today to become eligible to submit artwork and take advantage of exclusive exhibition opportunities throughout the year. CLick here.
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.
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.
AWARDS
• Four Juror Awards of $100 each
• Five Honorable Mentions
entry fee
• $30 for the first artwork submission
• $10 for each additional submission (up to 3 additional works)
eligibility
• Open internationally to artists age 18 and older
• All visual arts media accepted except photography
• Photography is not eligible
• Monmouth Museum held a juried photography exhibition in Fall 2025 and expects to continue that series in 2026
• Work must be original and created within the last five years
• Work may not have been previously exhibited at the Monmouth Museum
• All accepted artwork must be for sale NO EXCEPTIONS
• Museum commission: 30 Percent • Artist receives 70 Percent
submission guidelines
• Submission Deadline: Saturday, August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
• Online Submissions Only: Via Submittable
Required Materials
-
Contact Information: Name, Address, Phone, Email
-
Artist Statement (max 200 words): Write in first person and specific to the submitted works
-
Artwork List: Title, Media, Framed Size (H x W x D), Year Completed, Price
-
Artwork Images: Upload .jpeg/.jpg (300 dpi/ppi preferred).
-
File naming: Title_EntryNumber_Media_Size_Year_Price
-
Example: Ideas_1_Acrylic_12x12_2024_$450
-
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.
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
IMPORTANT DATES
-
Call for Art: Open July 11, 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 AND Addresses
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.
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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jenna McDonald
Phone: 732-224-1993
Email: jmcdonald@monmouthmuseum.org
Drop-Off Address
Monmouth Museum | 765 Newman Springs Rd. (Museum Drive, Parking Lot 1, Building #10), Lincroft, NJ 07738
Shipping Address
Monmouth Museum | 765 Newman Springs Rd. (Museum Drive, Parking Lot 1, Building #10), Lincroft, NJ 07738
.png)