Outline style text that reads 'SALON SHOW'

Essex Art Center Salon Show + Art Sale

Saturday, July 11 - Saturday, September 12, 2026

Thank you for your interest in participating in Essex Art Center's sixth annual Salon Show. Our applications are closed but we hope you can join us for the opening!

The Salon Show is a yearly exhibition that fills Essex Art Center’s walls with work by artists from Lawrence, New England, and beyond. We celebrate the breadth of talent in our community, and some work is for sale. This year's show will take place from Saturday, July 11 to Saturday, September 12, 2026. The opening reception will coincide with Fiesta en la calle, the Center’s yearly free block party on Saturday, July 11, from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

We hope you will submit your best work! A good rule of thumb for choosing which piece(s) to offer is that if you're excited about it, the jury and collectors likely will be too. If you choose to have your work up for sale, proceeds will be split 50/50 between the Center and the artist who sells their work. Each sale allows Essex Art Center to expand our programming, offer more discounts, and provide greater access to meaningful art experiences!

Please carefully read our Salon Show rules below before you submit your artwork. If you have any questions or concerns, please email info@essexartcenter.org.

What you need to know + do:

  • Exciting news! This year's Salon Show + Art Sale will take place on two floors at Essex Art Center and Rapscallion Brick Oven Pizza + Brewery.

  • Artists must submit at least two pieces to guarantee that at least one will be included in the Salon Show. The deadline is Sunday, May 3rd, at midnight. Please fill out the submission form below. If you choose to sell your work, you will need to fill out a W9 and upload it with your submission form.

  • The photo you include in your submission is what will be listed on our website if your work is for sale so please make sure to take a good photo.

  • Works priced under $250 tend to sell best. We aim to present a high-quality exhibition and ask that you submit your best work. A good rule of thumb is that if you're excited about your work, the jury and potential buyers will likely be excited about it, too. We encourage all different mediums of art, but we will not accept AI artwork.

  • If your artwork is a wall piece, it must be ready for hanging (Framed or wired). If your artwork or frame is warped, damaged, or scratched, we will not accept your work.

  • Being part of the Salon Show means your artwork must be exhibited during the Salon Show dates: Saturday, July 11 - Saturday, September 12, 2026. We cannot remove your artwork early.

  • Any accepted artwork that does not sell during the Salon Show + Art Sale MUST be picked up at Essex Art Center, located at 56 Island Street in Lawrence, MA, between Monday, September 14 and Saturday, September 19, 2026. Failure to do so means forfeiting the rights to your artwork to Essex Art Center.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Sunday, May 3, 2026: Submissions Close

  • Monday, May 11 - Friday, May 15, 2026: Artists Notified

  • Thursday, June 11 - Saturday, June 13, 2026: Artwork Drop Off

  • Saturday, July 11, 2026: Fiesta en la Calle / Salon Show Art Sale Opening, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  • Saturday, September 12, 2026: Salon Show ends, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Monday, September 14 - Thursday, September 17, 2026: Artwork pick up, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

  • Saturday, September 19, 2026: Last day to pick up artwork, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

FAQ

  • Yes, all ages are encouraged to submit.

  • All mediums will be considered. We will not accept Ai Artwork.

  • No. But keep in mind that it's difficult for us to accommodate any work beyond 48" in height or width.

  • YES! All wall artwork must be dropped off "ready to hang," i.e. framed or on canvas/panel with a hanging mechanism (D-rings or wire) on the back. Picture hanging wire is preferred. Essex Art Center will not be able to frame or install hardware onsite. If your work is scratched or damaged we will not accept the artwork.

  • Yes, artists split with proceeds 50/50 with Essex Art Center.

  • No, if you want to share your work with the community but not sell it, that’s okay, too.

  • Place your work against a neutral white or grey background. Make sure that there are no shadows and that the light is uniform throughout the work. Make sure nothing is obscuring your piece.