Congratulations to all selected Artists!
Shilpi Gupta
Anuradha Gurumurthy
RHONDA URDANG
Jagriti Bhagat
Vikash Jha
David Rascati
Janhavi Firke
Aprajita Lal
Ranjana Sanyal
Shaily Jha
Swagata Chowdhury
Minakshi Chaudhary
Priya Pathak
Trupti Mehta
Manisha Joshi
Sumit Kumar Gupta
Anamika Sinha
Mahmootha Ahmed
Gayatri Radhakrishnan
Divvya Atrii
Richa Rashmi
Nipa Mehta
Kiran Dhaliwal
Hema Bharadwaj
Parvathi Kumar
Seema Soni
Navanjali Kelsey
Medha Atre-Kulkarni
Sumi Chatterjee
Khushboo Panchal
Monica Bhatnagar
Neha Kulkarni
MUSEUM STATEMENT
Founded by the Monmouth County Arts Council in 1979, the Annual Juried Art Exhibition has been a core part of the Monmouth Museum for more than forty years. Since the Museum took full sponsorship in 2011, the exhibition has expanded significantly, drawing regional, national, and international submissions. Artists from Japan, Russia, Lithuania, Israel, and Germany have participated in what has become one of the Museum’s most diverse and anticipated showcases of contemporary art.
​
The Monmouth Museum is excited to announce that submissions will open in January for one of our longest-running and most beloved traditions, the Annual Juried Exhibition. Now entering its 46th year, the exhibition continues to bring together an inspiring and diverse range of contemporary artists from across the region, the nation, and the world.
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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
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