About the theme:

"FESTIVAL OF LIGHT"

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: 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: 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

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: Friday, February 13, 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

​

• 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

• Video artists must supply display equipment

• Overflow accepted works may be placed in the Nilson Gallery and Gift Shop

ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS