Art: Eastern hosts Connecticut Women Artists' 2026 National Juried Exhibition
Exhibition showcases women artists from across United States
Willimantic, CT (09/01/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University's Art Gallery is the host of a 2026 National Open Juried Exhibition presented by Connecticut Women Artists, Inc. (CWA). The exhibit runs from Aug. 26 to Oct. 16 in the Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Instructional Center on High Street in Willimantic.
Two special events will take place during the exhibition's run on Sept. 11 and 19; both are open to the public.
One of the country's oldest women's art organizations, CWA has presented its National Open Juried Exhibition annually as an opportunity to showcase outstanding contemporary work by women artists from throughout the United States. The exhibition brings together selected works representing a broad range of artistic styles, media, techniques, and perspectives.
"Connecticut Women Artists has been integral to the artistic fabric of our state for nearly a century," said Sarah Churchill, assistant professor of art history and director of Eastern's Art Gallery. "Since the organization's founding in 1929, they've created supportive networks and opportunities for women to exhibit, connect, and build professional communities in times when those opportunities were scarce. It is especially meaningful to open my tenure as gallery director with an exhibition that celebrates this rich heritage and inspires the next generation of artists here at Eastern Connecticut State University."
Reception and awards:
On Sept. 11 from 49 p.m. is the Exhibition's Opening Reception. Light refreshments will be available, and CWA President Sarah Grote will provide welcoming remarks.
On Sept. 19 from 13 p.m. is an Awards Reception, at which time the following artists will be honored:
- Best in Show: Rita Kelley, for "Singing River," Mixed Media, Acrylic Paint, and Collage;
- Second Place: Linda Schiwall, "Fumaroles," Encaustic;
- Evelyn B. Longman Award: Afarin Rahmanifar (Eastern art faculty member), "Threads of Silence #2," Mixed Media, Acrylic, Linen, Veneer, Epoxy, Thread;
- Ruth E. Abbey Award: Beryl Salinger Schmitt, "Border Crossing," Recycled Paper Bags, Stitching, Oil, Oil Crayons;
- Ruth Cogswell Award: NC Whitcher, "Landscape #470," Monotype;
- Dorothy Alden Hapgood Award: Elaine Juska Joseph, "Golden Sunset," Pastel.
This year's exhibition was juried by Jeanne Ciravolo, assistant professor in residence at the University of Connecticut and director of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery in Groton. Her work has been exhibited nationally at galleries and museums including The Butler Institute of American Art in Ohio, the Yellowstone Art Museum in Montana, the Coral Springs Museum in Florida and AREA Code Art Fair in Boston. She has also been awarded residencies at the Hambidge Center, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2020, she received the Walter Feldman Fellowship, and her commissioned portraits are held in the collections of the State of Connecticut Appellate and Superior Courts.
"This exhibition reflects not only the exceptional talent of artists from across the region, but also CWA's commitment to fostering artistic excellence and creating meaningful opportunities for artists to share their work with the public," said Sarah Grote, CWA president. "The selected works represent an outstanding range of artistic voices, techniques and perspectives, resulting in a show that is both inspiring and engaging."
Grote added, "As president, one of my goals has been to build on CWA's strong foundation while expanding opportunities, encouraging collaboration, and strengthening our presence within the broader arts community. This exhibition is a wonderful example of that vision in action.
"Thank you to every artist who submitted work and entrusted us with your art," concluded Grote. "Whether selected or not, your participation strengthens both this exhibition and our organization. I also extend my sincere appreciation to our co-chairs, Nancy Whitcher and Marny Lawton, our volunteers, and to Eastern Connecticut State University for hosting this exhibition."
Exhibition Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday & Thursday: Noon to 7 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
About Connecticut Women Artists
Connecticut Women Artists, Inc. (CWA) was founded in Connecticut in 1929 and is one of the country's oldest women's art organizations. CWA provides a forum for women's contemporary art and promotes artistic excellence through exhibitions, education, networking and opportunities for artists to share their work with the public. For more information about the exhibition and Connecticut Women Artists, visit the CWA website at https://www.ctwomenartists.org/
Media Contacts:
- Connecticut Women Artists, Inc.:Sarah Grote: Presidentctwomenartistspresident@gmail.com, (860) 301-6647
- Eastern Art Gallery: Sarah Churchill, director: Churchillsar@easternct.edu
- Eastern PR: Michael Rouleau: Rouleaum@easternct.edu, (860) 465-0172
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
Media Attachments
Ashley Donovan, "Always, Never, Again," oil on canvas. Image courtesy of the artist.
Exhibition flyer