A Roll of the Die by Liz Kuny of Morristown, New Jersey

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie will begin its 2026 art exhibition season with the quilt show byCONTRAST: Apparent Contradictions. A New Jersey and New York regional juried exhibition presented in coordination with Studio Art Quilt Associates NY+NJ, the show opens Friday, January 9, 2026, with an artists and members reception Saturday, January 10. It will remain on view through February 9, with related programs to be announced. 

For byCONTRAST, the second exhibition of its kind by the SAQA NJ+NY region, artists were invited to create and submit work that explores a contrast captured in everyday expressions. The selected entries examine seemingly contradictory or incongruous figures of speech used for drama, humor, or irony. The show was juried by acclaimed fiber artist Ann Johnston, whose experimentation with dye and fabric has led to exhibitions worldwide, including over twenty solo shows and multiple publications. byContrast features thirty SAQA fiber artists.

Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that promotes the art quilt as a creative visual work layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure. Over its 35 years, SAQA has grown into a dynamic and active community of over 4,000 artists, curators, collectors, and art professionals located around the world. The first byCONTRAST exhibition (2023/24) drew praise in Old Forge, Binghamton, and Ossining, New York. The current show debuted in Rochester before traveling to Old Forge, New York; following the Trenton City Museum show, it returns to Rochester, then concludes in Ossining, New York.

Trenton City Museum is housed in Ellarslie Mansion, an 1848 Italianate villa in the heart of Trenton's historic Cadwalader Park, which was designed by the legendary Frederick Law Olmsted. The building is owned by the City of Trenton and operated by the nonprofit Trenton Museum Society, founded in 1973.

The museum explores and celebrates Trenton's history and culture, showcases contemporary art, artists, and performers, and offers community events, classes, and workshops for all ages. Hours are Thursdays through Saturdays, 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Sundays, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. There is no admission to view exhibits; donations are welcomed.