Community-wide exhibition celebrates Delaware’s creative voices during the nation’s 250th anniversary
The Delaware Art Museum is proud to announce The People’s Gallery, a community-driven exhibition that will showcase up to 600 Delaware artists in a landmark celebration of creativity, artistic labor, and civic engagement during the nation’s 250th anniversary. While the exhibition scale and timeline present unique logistical challenges, Museum staff are eager to transform hundreds of individual works into a cohesive experience.
Opening August 7 and on view through September 6, 2026, The People’s Gallery invites Delaware residents and DelArt Members to contribute one artwork each to a non-juried exhibition that places artistic agency and public participation at its center. All accepted works will be exhibited in the Museum’s Fusco Gallery and offered for sale through the museum store–Market at DelArt.
The People’s Gallery grew out of DelArt’s broader recognition of artists and creative workers as part of its Delaware250 programming. Throughout a six-month series of exhibitions and public programs, the Museum has explored the essential role artists play in helping communities interpret the past, understand the present, and imagine the future.
“The People’s Gallery serves as the culminating chapter of that initiative,” said Margaret Winslow, DelArt Head Curator and Curator of Contemporary Art. “By placing decision-making directly in the hands of artists and inviting the public to build personal connections with the works that resonate with them, the exhibition celebrates both artistic agency and public engagement.”
Unlike traditional juried exhibitions, The People’s Gallery offers an inclusive opportunity for artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to share their work. Up to 600 artworks will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Submissions open for DelArt Members on July 6, and for all Delaware Residents on July 8.
In commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition will contribute to a living artistic record of Delaware today. Information about participating artists and artworks, along with installation photography, will be preserved in the Museum’s archives, creating a lasting snapshot of the state’s creative community during this historic milestone.
“The most exciting aspect is the opportunity for Delaware residents and DelArt members to see their work displayed on the Museum’s walls,” said Heather Morrissey, DelArt Director of Operations. “The People’s Gallery expands the traditional relationship between museums and audiences, inviting the community to become active participants in the exhibition itself.”
The People’s Gallery reflects DelArt’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections between art, artists, and communities. By creating opportunities for artists to share their work and for audiences to engage with and support creative practice, the exhibition advances the Museum’s mission to inspire, educate, and build community through the arts. As Delaware commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary, The People’s Gallery serves as both a celebration of the state’s vibrant artistic community and an investment in its creative future—amplifying diverse voices, strengthening civic engagement, and affirming the essential role artists play in shaping our shared cultural landscape.
Artist Registration and Eligibility
Submissions Open:
- July 6, 2026, at 10 a.m. – Delaware Art Museum Members
- July 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. – All Delaware Residents
- Registration closes July 27, 2026, or when capacity is reached
Eligibility Requirements:
- Delaware Art Museum members in good standing as of July 1, 2026, or Delaware residents
- Artists must be living and 18 years of age or older
- One artwork per artist
- Two-dimensional artwork only
- Maximum size: 32 inches on the longest side
- Artwork must be ready to hang with secure hardware
- All artwork must be available for sale
- Museum retains a 30% commission on sales
Sponsors
This initiative is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
About the Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum is a nationally recognized regional museum that connects people through art and experience. Founded in 1912 to honor illustrator Howard Pyle, the Museum now houses over 13,000 works, including the largest Pre-Raphaelite collection outside the U.K. and a growing contemporary art collection. Its campus features galleries, a 6-acre sculpture garden, labyrinth, and event spaces—creating a dynamic center and vibrant cultural resource, offering exhibitions, classes, and community programs that reflect and engage the diverse Delaware community and beyond. Visit delart.org to for the latest exhibitions, programs, and performances or connect with us via social media.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The People’s Gallery
WHEN: August 7 – September 6
WHERE: Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806
COST: Included with Museum Admission
INFO: delart.org/event/the-peoples-gallery/