Voices for the Marsh 2026

Description

The Abbott Marshlands are a critical natural and cultural resource located in central New Jersey along the Delaware River between
Trenton and Bordentown. Its 3,000 acres of open space include the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River and
surrounding lowland and upland forests. The Voices for the Marsh 12th Juried Photographic Exhibition provides an opportunity for
both local hobbyists and fine art photographers to capture the cultural and ecological richness of the marshlands and participate in
the Friends’ efforts to build awareness and support for the protection and stewardship of the marshlands.

Friends for the Abbott Marshlands (FFAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Abbott Marshlands.
For questions about the show, contact the Voices for the Marsh Committee at marshphotos@abbottmarshlands.org. Previous Voices for the
Marsh images can be found on our website; show information can be found here.

Awards

Best in Show - $500
Best in Category: $200 each - Flora/Fungi, Wildlife, Landscape, Digital Art People’s Choice: $100Honorable Mention - for each category - Flora/Fungi, Wildlife, Landscape, Digital Art
Note:  Awards will be limited to one award per photographer.

Entry Requirements 

Open to all photographers.
All photographs must be taken within the borders of the Abbott Marshlands.  The area includes multiple access points and trails.  See map and directions here:  https://abbottmarshlands.org/getting-there/
Note:  Several Photography programs/field trips are planned.  Check the event calendar for details.  https://abbottmarshlands.org/events/
All images created utilizing photographic processes, including film and digital, and black & white and color photography are eligible. Photographs that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (e.g. dust removal, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color, and contrast, etc.)  should be entered as Digital Art.  
Photographs must be available for sale. A portion of the sale price will be retained to support the future exhibits.  For photos sold at the Tulpehaking Nature Center, the artist will receive 70% of the sale price and 30% will be retained by Friends for the Abbott Marshlands to support its mission.
Photographs previously hung in any of the earlier Voices for the Marsh exhibitions will not be accepted.
Entries will be judged based on artistic merit, professional quality presentation, and their celebration of the natural beauty and diversity of the Abbott Marshlands. 
All awards will be given at the discretion of the juror. 

Reproduction Rights:
Photographers retain all copyrights to their images.  The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands reserves the right to use all submitted images for the promotion of the exhibit and for the promotion of the mission of Friends for the Abbott Marshlands in print and online without financial compensation.  The photographer will be credited.Conditions & Liabilities:
Photographs will be handled with care, but Friends for the Abbott Marshlands will not be held liable for any loss or damage to photographs or frames while in transit to or during exhibitions. Artists can provide their own insurance during the judging and exhibition period if desire 

Entry Fees

Open submissions are $36.00 for up to 3 images, plus $6.00 for each additional image up to a total of 6 images per photographer.   Members of the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands receive a 25% discount. 

Already a member?  You should have received an email with your Promo Code.   Be sure to enter your code on the top of the screen next to the credit card icons before submitting your payment.  Email marshphotos@abbottmarshlands.org for assistance.

Not sure if you're a member?   Review the list of current members.

Would you like to become a member before you submit your images?  Become a member here.

Juror

Debbie Aniano

Debbie Aniano has been a serious photographer since for over fifty years. She worked part-time as a staff photographer for Suburban Trends newspaper in her teens and 20’s while studying Fine and Performing Arts in college with a focus on photography. While ultimately not pursuing photography as a profession, it has remained her lifelong hobby. She has traveled and photographed extensively in the US and Europe. She enjoys capturing the uniqueness of the places she visits — flora and fauna, people, landscapes, and historic sites

She has participated in many gallery shows and has won numerous awards, including First Place in the Landscape category of Abbott Marshlands Voices for the Marsh 2022 competition. She frequently juries local camera club competitions, and has been president of the Cranbury Digital Camera Club for the past four years. You can view some of her photos on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/...

Calendar of Events

Submission of electronic images for judging:

Entries must be submitted on this site no later than May 10, 2026 at 11:59 pm (EDT)
A tutorial for the user entry process is available at the end of this page.
Specify the photo category in which each photo is being entered
The Voices for the Abbott Marshlands Committee reserves the right to reassign an entry to a different category

Notification of accepted entries:

Notification will be made on or before May 20, 2026 via email only.

Delivery of accepted entries:

After notification that one or more of your entries are accepted for inclusion in the show, please adhere to the following requirements. 

Photographs must be delivered to the Tulpehaking Nature Center at one of the following times:  

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 3–6 pm
Thursday, June 11, 2026 3–6 pm
Friday, June 12, 2026 3–6 pm

Entries must include a label taped to the back of each photograph containing details matching electronic submissions. (The artcall site will supply labels to match your submissions)
Quality matters. Please use archival paper for digital prints, and proper fixing for those prints developed using traditional methods.  
You are encouraged to celebrate the marsh by displaying your work in the size that you feel best expresses it; however, the maximum framed size of any submission will be 16” x 20”.  Black frames with white mats are preferred.
When delivered, photographs must be framed and wired for museum hanging. No clip-type frames or saw-tooth hangers allowed. Improperly framed/wired photos will be disqualified.  
Accepted photos must not be removed until the exhibition closes.  

Venue: 

Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave. Hamilton, NJ 08610

Exhibition dates at Tulpehaking Nature Center: 

June 14 – August 23, 2026 Hours: Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm, Sundays 1–4 pm

Reception and Award Ceremony:

Sunday, June 14, 2026, reception from 2-4 pm, award ceremony at 3:00 pm.  

Return of work:

Wednesday, August 26th, 3 pm - 6 pm
Thursday, August 27th, 3 pm – 6 pm
Friday, August 28th, 3 pm – 6 pm

Exhibition Committee

Ann E. Darlington, an award-winning fine art landscape nature photographer, lives in Bordentown, NJ. She serves as chairperson for the Voices for the Marsh 2024 and 2022 juried photography shows. To learn more about Ann Darlington photography, visit her website: http://annedarlington.myportfo... 
Jerry Flynn is a wildlife and landscape photographer passionate about capturing the beauty of the Abbott Marshlands. He also helps lead the Abbott Marshlands Photography Club, organizing events and mentoring emerging photographers.
Pat Coleman, FFAM past president and naturalist, serves as image location expert for the photographic exhibition. She leads FFAM tours at Abbott Marshlands trail locations
Margaret Simpson is a fine-art painter inspired by nature. She is a FFAM board member, instructs Art in the Marsh classes a few times a year and creates the graphics for the exhibition. She curates fine art shows in the galleries.
Bob Simmons is a volunteer extraordinaire, the 2023 Mary Leck Award recipient and FFAM Ambassador. He serves as gallery assistant for the exhibition.

For questions contact the committee at marshphotos@abbottmarshlands.org.

User Entry Process Tutorial