(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts and The Arc/Mercer Inc. are proud to announce an open call for "Together We Are ...," a collaborative exhibition celebrating artists of all abilities and exploring the power of art to connect people through shared experiences, community, and creativity. The deadline to submit art is Monday, June 29, 2026.
"Together We Are ..." centers on the belief that creativity rises above differences and that every individual's voice contributes to a richer, more inclusive community. The exhibition aims to encourage understanding, celebrate diverse abilities, and create opportunities for connection through artistic expression.
As part of the exhibition, each artist will be invited to complete the phrase "Together We Are ..." with one or two words reflecting their personal vision of community and connection. These responses will be displayed alongside the artwork, creating a collective expression of belonging and shared humanity.
Free to enter and open to artists ages 18 and older, the exhibition invites participants to reflect on what it means to be human, connected, and part of a community. Through painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital art, and other creative mediums, artists are encouraged to share their personal stories, experiences, and perspectives that highlight the many ways art brings people together. Submitted work must be original to the medium in which it is entered and may not have been previously exhibited at West Windsor Arts. West Windsor Arts will work with accepted artists to accommodate a range of artistic mediums.
Accessibility is at the heart of the exhibition. The application process and gallery experience have been designed to be welcoming and accessible for artists and visitors of all abilities. This commitment was recently recognized when West Windsor Arts' ADA Plan received an "Excellent" rating from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Cultural Access Network. In its evaluation, the organization said, "Your time and dedication to integrating access at West Windsor Arts Council is recognized and commended."
Aylin Green, Executive Director of West Windsor Arts, said "This exhibition reflects our commitment to ensuring that artists of all abilities have meaningful opportunities to share their creativity, tell their stories, and connect with others through art".
The exhibition will be juried by Lisa Sonneborn, Director of Media Arts & Culture for the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University's College of Education and Human Development, and Jaggar DeMarco, a PhD candidate in Media & Communication at Temple University's Klein College, and a graduate research associate at Temple's Institute on Disabilities.
Sonneborn's work has engaged communities locally, nationally, and internationally in conversations around the lived experience of disability, the preservation of disability history, and cultural access. DeMarco, a complexly disabled scholar, brings a perspective informed by his embodied experiences and research on care networks, disability art and culture, and disability memoir.
Important Dates:
Deadline to enter art: Monday, June 29, 2026
Drop-off of accepted artwork: Thursday, August 6, 2026 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Dates of show: August 11 to September 19, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, August 14, 2026 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Artists interested in participating should prepare a brief artist biography, an artist statement, and a photograph of their artwork, as well as one or two words to complete the phrase "Together we are ...".
Artists who need assistance completing the application process can contact West Windsor Arts by email at [email protected], by phone at (609) 716-1931, or through the online contact form. Alternative and downloadable application formats are available upon request.
For complete submission guidelines and application information, visit West Windsor Arts.
The West Windsor Arts Council offers art and cultural events, workshops, and classes for all ages and in all disciplines at the West Windsor Arts Center and in the community.
