Patchwork: Connecticut Artists Consider 250

The Florence Griswold Museum is holding a juried exhibition of contemporary art to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, on view June 27 – November 8, 2026. As the historic home of the Lyme Art Colony (1900–1937), the Museum will highlight its legacy of supporting contemporary artists by inviting today’s Connecticut-based artists to submit work that addresses themes of American identity and history over the country’s past 250 years. Patchwork aligns with the themes established by the CT Commission for America 250. Artists submitting to Patchwork are encouraged to consult the America 250 CT Planning Guide for ideas and resources about how the work they submit relates to the themes of the United States’ Semiquincentennial. The deadline for submission is April 26. Artists must reside at a Connecticut address. Original works are accepted in all media. For guidelines, important dates, and further details, please go to FloGris.org/2026ArtShow 

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Call for Artists to exhibit in Patchwork: Connecticut Artists Consider 250 at the Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, Connecticut

Exhibition on view June 27–November 8, 2026 

Submissions accepted March 13 – April 26, 2026

In June 2026, the Florence Griswold Museum will mount a juried exhibition of contemporary art to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United State of America. Museums and cultural institutions across the nation are marking this anniversary in myriad ways. As the historic home of the Lyme Art Colony (1900-1937), FloGris will highlight its legacy of supporting contemporary artists by inviting today's Connecticut-based artists to submit work that addresses themes of American identity and history over the country's past 250 years. How do Connecticut artists represent, contribute to, define, and reconsider American identity and history?

This exhibition aligns with the themes established by the CT Commission for America 250. Artists submitting to Patchwork are encouraged to consult the America 250 CT Planning Guide for ideas and resources about how the work they submit to the exhibition relates to the themes of the United States’ Semiquincentennial.

CT Commission Themes include:

• Telling Inclusive Stories

Share stories that represent all of Connecticut’s people, past and present

• Power of Place

Consider how places are uniquely shaped by their communities, natural environment, and institutions

• Doing History

Consider how Connecticut’s people, sites, and events are remembered

• For the Common Good

Consider ideas about community building, democracy, and civic engagement

A touchpoint of Patchwork will be the Museum’s Bicentennial Quilt. Crafted by Old Lyme quiltmakers in 1976, it features 24 patchwork blocks illustrating historic events, houses, key landmarks, and rural subjects in Lyme and Old Lyme. The quilt serves as an inspiration and metaphor for how history is patched together, preserved, and reinterpreted by each generation. Patchwork offers an opportunity for today’s Connecticut artists to contribute their unique perspectives, which may include mending historic absences or patching wounds created by collective challenges. Art offers a vehicle for creative expression and helps viewers process emotions and understand history differently. The goal of this exhibition is to create community by bringing Connecticut artists together under these common themes. Together their work will showcase the richness of Connecticut art in 2026 by reflecting on its history as well as looking to its future.

The exhibition will be juried by Jenny Parsons, Senior Curator; Amy Kurtz Lansing, Curator; and David D.J. Rau, Senior Director of Education and Visitor Engagement, at the Florence Griswold Museum.

Important Dates

March 13              Submissions open on CaFÉ

April 26                 Deadline for submissions on CaFÉ

May 15                  Notification via CaFÉ

June 18 & 20         Receiving of accepted works at FloGris (The Museum is closed on June 19 for Juneteenth)

June 27–Nov. 8      Duration of exhibition

June 28                  Opening reception at FloGris

November 8           Close of exhibition

Nov. 8-9                  Pick up of displayed works at FloGris

• An artist may submit up to three works by applying with three separate applications. The fee is $40 whether an artist choses to submit 1 or 3 artworks. For each artwork/application, the artist may submit 1-3 images of that work. We recommend one overall image and two details of the piece.

     The first application will have a cost of $40.00. Please use the coupon code FLOGRIS2 for the second submission, and coupon code FLOGRIS3 for the third submission.

• Accompanying the submission, each artist must supply a Biography/Artist’s Statement (max 5000 characters) about their artistic practice. 

      Optional: Artists may include an additional 1000 characters accompanying each submitted work of art. The text(s) should explain how the work(s) relate to the themes of the exhibition.

• All two-dimensional work must be framed and/or ready for installation with hanging hardware, wire, or d-rings already attached to the work. The entire work must not exceed 84 inches in any dimension, nor exceed 75 pounds. Pieces without hanging hardware will not be included in the exhibition.

• Three-dimensional work cannot exceed 48 inches in any dimension and be ready for display as a freestanding or self-containing work. The work cannot exceed 150 lbs.

• FloGris will accept installations that have been previously created. All work requiring assembly or any work with a complex installation procedure must be accompanied by a detailed set of installation instructions with reference photos from previous installations. Verbal instructions will not suffice.

• Artist must provide all technical equipment to be used in the installation of any video or sound work, including headphones.

• The Museum prohibits glitter, wet paint, sharp objects, open flames, balloons, spray (perfumes, hairsprays, etc.), dangerous chemicals, weapons, pressurized containers, plants or animals (alive or dead), hazardous materials (explosive, flammable, or perishable), decaying materials (visible mold or insect infestation), or anything deemed harmful to the Museum’s collection. Anything questionable should be cleared by Jana Balsamo, Registrar & Exhibitions Coordinator by emailing jana@flogris.org or calling 860.434.5542 x114

Selected works: Selected works must be delivered ready to hang/display. Artworks considered unsuitable for hanging/presentation will be refused and returned to the artist at their expense. Curatorial staff reserves the right to refuse an artwork that is misrepresented through documentation or is not the piece selected by the juror.

Connecticut-based artists 18 years or older with current FloGris membership. (Please visit flogris.org and click on “Become a Museum Member” for membership information, or click here to sign up for membership.) Submitting artists must reside at a Connecticut address. Original works will be accepted in all media and must never have been previously exhibited at the FloGris.