NHAA Call for Entry - 2026 40th Lassonde

Description

NHAA Call For Art
40th Annual Omer T. Lassonde Open Juried Exhibition
The New Hampshire Art Association invites artists to submit their work for the upcoming juried exhibition.
Submissions are open to New England artists working in all mediums.
EXHIBIT DATES: Wednesday, April 1-Sunday, April 26, 2026
EXHIBIT LOCATION 136 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 
ARTCALL SUBMISSION DEADLINE  March 4, 11:59 p.m.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTED SUBMISSIONS: Monday, March 16, EODACCEPTED WORK DROP OFF DEADLINE  Sunday, March 29, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and Monday, March 30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, April 3, 5-8 p.m.
PICK-UP SUBMISSIONS: Sun. April 26, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and Mon. April 27, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to all regional artists (NHAA members and non-members)LOCATION: NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery AND online at nhartassociation.orgEXHIBIT FEE: NHAA Members: $20 for one submission/$25 for two submissions/ $30 for three submissions                         Non-Members: $40 for one submission/$45 for two submissions/$50 for three submissions CLICK HERE FOR PAYMENTCOMMISSION STRUCTURE: Artists retain 60%, NHAA retains 40% of sale priceEXHIBITION OVERVIEW: Over the past 4 decades, the New Hampshire Art Association has proudly presented this annual exhibition in honor of Omer T. Lassonde, one of NHAA’s founding members and a passionate advocate for artists. Lassonde’s vision and generosity established an endowment that has sustained this exhibition for 40 years, creating lasting opportunities for artists throughout New England. We see the fruits of this investment in the vibrant creative community at NHAA. In celebration of the exhibition’s 40th anniversary, the Lassonde Exhibition will be showcased in both the East Gallery and Main Gallery, marking this milestone with an expanded presentation. Artists are invited to submit up to three of their strongest works in any medium and any theme. Open to artists living in New England.
ARTWORK ACCEPTED: 

1-3 pieces of work per artist
2D work – maximum framed dimension 60” in the longest direction INCLUDING FRAME.
3D work - Wall hanging 3D pieces must fit within the dimensions above. If your work weighs more than 35 pounds, we ask that you arrange a time to help install your work or provide a hanging system with instructions. Freestanding3D work must not exceed 42” in any dimension. We allow artists to provide special pedestals when necessary or desired by the artist.Diptych and Triptychs accepted provided they are priced and treated as 1 piece of art and follow sizing requirements accordingly.For any category not listed above, please contact the galleryAll artists exhibiting online or at any NHAA in person venues must adhere to our PRESENTATION AND FRAMING GUIDELINES CLICK HERE and NHAA EXHIBIT AGREEMENT CLICK HERE on the on the website.Artwork created within the last 3 years.If you have not already registered with ArtCall, you will be asked to register. (See video below for how to submit work) All artists can use this system to enter submissions and print out their labels. To participate you must submit images of your work. You can upload 2 images for each piece, but only 1 is required. The images will be used to represent your art on the website for online sales. Please use sharp, high-quality images with a neutral background. Remember that the deadline for submission is March 5, 11:59 p.m. The online system will automatically close at this time. It is recommended that you DO NOT wait until the last day to submit your work. Artwork not entered into ArtCall will not be accepted. Contact us if you need help using ArtCall.
JURY PROCESS:Our juror is Michael RoseAll work will be juried blind using a digital formatArtists will be notified of acceptance status by email (via ArtCall) for each submission entered.
AWARDS:Thanks to the enduring generosity of Omer T. Lassonde and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, significant monetary awards will be granted to selected artists. Winning artists will also be invited to become juried members of the NHAA. 1st Place: $1000: 2nd Place: $750: 3rd Place: $500, Honorable mentions will be selected
ABOUT OUR JUROR MICHAEL ROSE:
Michael Rose is an art gallerist, writer, and leader based in Providence, Rhode Island.Since 2014, he has served as the gallery manager at the historic Providence Art Club where he oversees a rigorous exhibition schedule spread across three gallery spaces. Under his leadership the Art Club has earned awards for Best Gallery in Providence seven years in a row. In addition to his gallery work, he is also a popular art writer and critic. From 2021-2025 he authored the weekly Inside Art column for the news website GoLocalProv.com. In 2024, Michael founded New England Art News, a free weekly art newsletter and blog read by subscribers across the region. Through this platform he circulates resources like events, grants, and calls for art and writes about artists and exhibitions. A sought after juror and judge, Michael has helped to shape dozens of exhibitions at organizations throughout New England.Michael earned his BA in Art History at Providence College and completed a Graduate Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts at New York University. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelrosefineart.com, and subscribe to his newsletter at www.newenglandartnews.com.

ABOUT OMER T. LASSONDE:Omer T. Lassonde was the Administrator of the WPA Federal Arts Project in his native New Hampshire. In 1940, he helped found the New Hampshire Art Association to exhibit and further the work of contemporary artists throughout the state by hosting exhibitions of art across New Hampshire. Lassonde was a modernist painter known for his spirited landscapes and expressive use of bold color. Born in Concord to French-Canadian parents, Omer Thomas Lassonde (1903-1980), was schooled in Manchester and Philadelphia, and painted in Monhegan and Gloucester with some of the great colorists of the 1920s. No matter what style he later adopted, Lassonde remained a committed colorist throughout his career. He studied at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts and the Hugh Breckinridge School of Color, East Gloucester, MA. Originally expecting to become a portraitist, one of his subjects, New Hampshire Governor, John G. Winant, suggested he go to the South Pacific like Gauguin to paint. Indeed, Lassonde is most famous for the year he spent painting the landscape and native life of West Samoa in 1930. In 1947 Bradlee, later editor of The Washington Post, claimed that he had 'done more than any man living to put New Hampshire on the map artistically”. As a tribute to his artistic legacy, his widow, Luisa W. Tompkins, donated their Boscawen house and his many paintings to the New Hampshire Art Association after his death in 1980."                                                                                                                                                                                                           - Fosters March 10, 2013
ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE ART ASSOCIATION:The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) serves established and emerging contemporary artists to cultivate creativity, community, and culture through education, events, and exhibitions. Founded over 85 years ago, NHAA supports artists throughout the state with satellite galleries to exhibit their work along with their main gallery located in downtown Portsmouth.
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT: Carol Van Loon (603) 431-4230, carol@nhartassociation.org

 To learn how to enter your submissions, please watch the video below. Please note that this is a juried exhibit.