April 2, 2025

Online Call for Art: Annual “Ellarslie Open”

Sheryl Liebman Fisher

The “Ellarslie Open,” Trenton City Museum’s annual juried art show, invites artists to enter artwork from April 6 through May 16 via its online call for art. Sheryl Liebman Fisher, associate director of Gallery Henoch in New York City, will jury the 2025 show.

Artists may submit from anywhere and may enter up to four works. Complete instructions and timeline are found at ellarslie.org/eo42. The link to the call for art will activate Sunday, April 6. The show’s five categories are: Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculpture; Photography, and Digital Art. The top award, Best in Show Overall, carries a prize of $1,000. Five category awards and sponsored awards also carry cash prizes.

Showcasing contemporary creations by established and emerging artists, the Ellarslie Open has developed into one of the area’s premier annual juried exhibitions since its beginnings in the early 1980s. In 2024, out of 555 entries, the juror selected 110 diverse pieces by artists from across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond. The 2025 show will open with an Artists’ and Members’ Reception Saturday, June 21, and will remain on view through September 7.

Juror Fisher discovered her passion for contemporary art while earning a degree in art history and business at New York University. She also holds a certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts from NYU and the Appraisers Association of America. Her extensive gallery background has positioned her as a key bridge between artists and collectors. She thrives on discovering new talents and trends in the art world, and is dedicated to supporting innovative voices and bringing exciting artwork to the forefront of contemporary art.

The Trenton City Museum is housed in Ellarslie Mansion, an 1848 Italianate Villa designed by John Notman. It is in the heart of Trenton’s historic Cadwalader Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The building is owned by the City of Trenton and operated by the nonprofit Trenton Museum Society, founded in 1973. Hours for the museum and its gift shop are Thursdays through Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee to view the museum’s art and history offerings, but donations are welcomed. Learn more at ellarslie.org or call (609) 989-1191.