May 16 - June 19, 2026
Spectrum is a juried exhibition of original, contemporary artwork by member and non-member artists, and invites submissions in all media and all sizes. All entries must have been created within the past two years and not previously exhibited at the Carriage Barn. The theme of the 2026 exhibition is WONDERLAND and Katharine Earnhardt, Founder Mason Lane Art Advisory, will jury the show and review original works across all media.
A WONDERLAND can refer to an imaginary or fantastical place – it evokes a sense of magic, beauty, and adventure and transports us to a realm of dreams and creativity that contrasts with reality.
Artwork selected for this exhibition will collectively spark the imagination, draw viewers into new worlds, and play with reality. Submissions may reflect sensory excess (texture, color, light, sound), explore themes of scale, transformation, or unique perspectives. Ultimately, each piece will reflect the artist’s interpretation and invite viewers to step into their wonderland.
We are using the entrythingy.com platform to accept entries. You can set up a free artist account to submit,
and read more here if you are new to using entrythingy.com
IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Notification (by email, and selections listed on our website): April 24, 2026
Drop off: Saturday, May 9 between 10am-Noon & Monday, April 11 between 10am-2pm
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 16 from 3-5pm
Pickup: Saturday, June 20, 10am-Noon & Monday, June 22, 10am-1pm
About The Juror:
With 20+ years of experience, Katharine Earnhardt has an in-depth knowledge of art, business, and entrepreneurship, along with an aptitude for sharing it in ways that are relevant to individual interests. She has worked at the Museum of Modern Art, and Christie’s Inc, conducting extensive research on art value and investment while building key relationships within the industry. Such experience, alongside founding Mason Lane in 2014, has fueled her ability to support countless individuals and groups across areas of finance, law, technology, design, and in and navigating the art market and developing taste. Institutions such as Parsons School of Design, Royal Bank of Canada, Business of Home, High Point Market, and the NY Design Center have also engaged Katharine to educate their audience on topics ranging from art as a tool for professional growth, noteworthy emerging artists, and business development within the home industry. Katharine has a dual degree in Art History and Economics from Williams College and a Master's in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Known for her transparency and personalized, engaging approach, Katharine instills trust and confidence in her clients, audience and industry colleagues.
ABOUT THE SPECTRUM EXHIBITION
Spectrum is one of the Carriage Barn Arts Center's major annual, juried exhibitions. Established in 1990, the exhibition highlights newer work by both member and non-member artists that relates to a specific theme. The Carriage Barn invites a juror (or jurors) to contribute their objective expertise by reviewing all the submissions and selecting between 80-100 works in a variety of mediums to be included. Spring Fever marks the 36th annual presentation of the Spectrum exhibition at the Carriage Barn Arts Center.
Recent themes and exhibition jurors:
2024 Visual Rhythms (Sam Wilson, Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery)
2023 Passages (Heather Gaudio/Rachel Placios)
ENTRY FEES
Members and Students (age 25 & under): $35 for up to 3 and $5 per additional entry (up to 6 total)
Non-members: $50 for up to 3 and $5 per additional entry (up to 6 total)
Entry fees help support our non-profit educational arts organization, free public programs and continued free gallery access to all. Become a member today for reduced entry fees and other benefits.
PREPARE IMAGES TO ENTER ONLINE: Resize your images to 72 dpi sized no smaller than 1000 pixels in any direction (about 13”). This should result in most image files ranging from 700kb to 2mb in file size. Files bigger than 3mb will not be accepted. For non-visual art submissions including audio, video, or writing, submit the appropriate files (.mov for video, .avi for sound, and .doc/.docx/.pdf for writing and other proposals) in place of images.
IMPORTANT! Label each image as “lastname_firstname_01title” (example: Smith_Mary_01untitled.jpg)
SPECIFICATIONS:
– Work delivered to the gallery must be installation-ready. All two-dimensional works and wall sculptures must be wired or cleated with a beveled edge on the cleat for hanging. We use the Walker hanging system (nails and screws are not drilled into the walls). Saw tooth hangers and small wire loops on the back of inexpensive frames are not acceptable along with scratched glass or plexi-glass. We reserve the right to reject any work whose presentation is sub-standard.
– Work must remain on exhibit for the entire show. Following the pickup dates after the close of the show, there will be storage charge of $10/day for any work left at the gallery.
– Sculpture must be delivered fully assembled and presented in a permanent, non-fragile medium. The gallery has a limited number of pedestals. Artists might need to provide pedestals.
SALES:
We encourage exhibitors to enter works that are for sale. For any works sold, artists receive 65% of the sale price before tax. The Carriage Barn Arts Center and New Canaan Society for the Arts retains the remaining 35% as a transaction fee.
COPYRIGHT POLICY:
Each artist retains all copyrights to their submitted images.
IMAGE USE RIGHTS:
Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. By submission for jurying, artists whose submissions are chosen for the exhibition grant The Carriage Barn Arts Center the right to use their images for the purpose of promoting the artist, promoting the Center’s programs, promoting exhibitions and subsequent display on the Center’s website of current and past exhibitions. Promotions and images may also be placed on social networks with artist credit. Selected arwork will be exhibited in the Carriage Barn, in an online exhibit on the Carriage Barn Arts Center website.
LIABILITY AND INSURANCE:
While all care will be taken while art is being exhibited in any NCSA sponsored exhibition, NCSA assumes no responsibility for any damage to the artwork during delivery, installation, and de-installation including, by way of example but not limitation, normal wear and tear, such as minor nicks to frames or scratches to Plexiglas. NCSA will not be liable for work not claimed after specified pick-up dates and times.
As a condition for exhibiting work in any NCSA exhibition, the exhibiting artist acknowledges by executing this agreement that NCSA assumes no responsibility for theft or other catastrophic loss beyond the applicable limits of NCSA’s insurance coverage. Except to the extent set forth in a separate written agreement signed by both the Exhibitor and NCSA, and subject to applicable deductions, insurance coverage cannot exceed 50% of the market value of any particular item, with the understanding that the exhibitor’s requested price may not be determinative with regard to market value for insurance purposes.