Register for Celebrate America's 250th birthday-Summer 2026 Art Show

The Merwinsville Hotel in Gaylordsville, CT, will hold a special summer art show celebrating the 250 years of America. This show will feature artwork created on the theme of America’s 250 years.

The show opens with a reception on Sunday, June 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. and will be on display all summer on Sunday afternoons during the Hotel’s summer tours. Visitors will be asked to vote on the People’s Choice Awards. An end-of-show celebration will be held Sept. 11 at the Hotel’s Annual Meeting.

This is also a juried show with cash prizes for entries in three different mediums: Painting/drawing; photography and mixed media. Artists are invited to sell their work and a portion of the proceeds goes to the historic hotel for its ongoing upkeep and restoration. The Hotel is supported through a 100 percent-volunteer nonprofit that has worked to restore the building for over 50 years. The 183-year-old building needs constant maintenance and renovation.

Admission to the show and the Summer Sunday Tours of the building is free.

The Merwinsville Hotel is on the National Registry of Historic Places located at 1 Browns Forge Road in Gaylordsville, CT, only 15 minutes from Kent, Sherman, New Milford and the Harlem Valley/Wingdale Railroad Station.

Chairperson(s): Jane Mullen and Lynn Worthington
Judge(s): TBD
Prizes:

1st Prize Painting/Drawing: $150
1st Prize Photography: $150
1st Prize Mixed Media: $150
2nd Prize Painting/Drawing: $ 75
2nd Prize Photography: $ 75
2nd Prize Mixed Media: $ 75
People’s Choice Award: Gift

Significant Dates:

This show will be open to viewers who attend the Hotel Tours each Sunday from 2-4 p.m. in July and August, as well as the Annual Meeting/Pot Luck on Friday, Sept. 11, when the People’s Choice Awards will be announced.

Entry Submission Deadlines (online only):
Monday, June 1, 2026

Receiving/Drop Off:
Friday, June 12/Saturday, June 13
10 am to 1 pm
Judging Week of June 22-27
Opening Reception: Sunday, June 28, 2026 (from 2 pm – 4 pm)
Press Release/Announcement of winners: Monday, June 29
Entry Pick Up: Friday, September 11, 2026 (after 8:30 pm);
Saturday, Sept. 12 (TBD)

Adult ($20)

Exhibition Theme
All art must focus on celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary.

Work must have been completed in the last 3 years.
No renderings or copies of other artists’ work.
Works generated by A.I. are not acceptable.
Two-dimensional work may not exceed 40” in height or length including the frame.
All work must be ready to hang with braided wire – no sawtooth hangers.
All three-dimensional work may not exceed 24” in height or length. If needed, artist will provide an appropriate base and assist with installation (if necessary).
All work must be delivered to the Hotel during receiving/drop off time(s).
The Hotel will collect 30% commission on all sales.
Photographs of artwork may be used for publicity for the exhibition. Please take a photo of your work (without glass) to ensure that the photo does justice to your work.
Waiver for Pictures Taken/Used - Entry into our exhibition at the Merwinsville Hotel constitutes permission to photograph you and/or your artwork and to use an image of your artwork on the Hotel’s website, newsletter, and other promotional materials for the exhibition/show.

Entry Fee: $20 per piece

Adults 18 & older; Artists are asked to please be sure to review the exhibition requirements to make sure your work complies with guidelines for acceptance. By submitting your work to the show, you agree to the exhibition requirements and Merwinsville Hotel Policies. No work may be submitted on behalf of an artist without their permission.

Sales: Artwork does not have to be for sale, but we urge artists to do so. Hotel will collect 30% commission on any work that sells.

I'm OK with having my art sold!

The title of your artwork

The story behind your piece

I am a human and not a robot

If you're not a bot, please write the sum of 6 + 10

Entries will be handled with all possible care, but artists submitting work agree to hold harmless the Merwinsville Hotel from any claim of damage or theft. Entry to the show constitutes agreement with all the conditions.

We will be maintaining a permanent gallery space in the ballroom. Any artist interested in donating work to remain on exhibit in the Hotel, should contact Hotel President Jeremy Ruman,

I understand that entry to the show constitutes agreement with all the conditions.

After completing your registration form, you will be taken to PayPal to pay your entry fee, or we will email the mailing address to you with the copy of your registration. Your submission will not be fully completed until payment is received.
The fee is $20 for an adult;
If you choose to use a check, please mail it to the Merwinsville Hotel, 1 Browns Forge Rd., Gaylordsville, CT 06755 - mark in the memo "USA 250 Art Show entry fee" and include Registration N°2533.
It must be received by the entry deadline: Monday June 1.

PayPal

Check