The Trenton City Museum has launched the call for entries for the 43rd Ellarslie Open, appointing Adam Welch as the juror for the 2026 edition. Welch, the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton and a former lecturer at Princeton University, will oversee the selection process for the prestigious regional showcase. Artists from the New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas are invited to submit digital entries through May 6, with the final exhibition scheduled to open on June 6 at the historic Ellarslie Mansion.
As one of the premier juried shows in the tri-state region, the Ellarslie Open serves as a vital platform for contemporary artists to gain institutional recognition and compete for cash awards. The appointment of a high-profile juror like Welch underscores the museum's commitment to maintaining rigorous curatorial standards while fostering a diverse dialogue between local creators and established art professionals. The event remains a cornerstone of the Trenton cultural calendar, drawing hundreds of submissions annually to the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Cadwalader Park.