Art in the Barn
Fine Art Paintings, Pottery, Sculpture, Photography, and More!
Art in the Barn is one of the North Shore’s premier art events, showcasing the exceptional work of more than 120 regional artists across a diverse range of media. This celebrated, juried show has been a tradition for more than 30 years and is held at Greenbelt’s headquarters in Essex — an iconic plein air painting location and the former studio of renowned muralist Allyn Cox.
Proceeds from this event benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts, supporting the preservation of beloved landscapes throughout the region.
Event Dates
Art in the Barn 2026
- Friday, June 12: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Opening Reception: 5:00 – 8:30pm
Join us for an exciting evening featuring an Artist Meet & Greet, live music, and delicious food, dessert and drinks from local favorites.
- Saturday, June 13: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Coffee and breakfast bites will be for sale, as supplies last!
Artists contribute 50% or more of proceeds to Greenbelt’s conservation work!
For Artists
New Artists
Art in the Barn is a juried show, and we welcome new artists to apply! To submit your application, please use the form linked below and provide 5 sample images of your work for the jury’s review. If you make art in multiple mediums, please submit separate applications for each (e.g., one for pastels and another for pottery).
Deadline for jury submissions is Wednesday, April 1. You will receive an email with the jury’s decision by May 1 at the latest.
The types of artwork we welcome for submission include, but are not limited to, pottery/ceramics, large-scale sculpture, paintings, pastels, mixed media, photography*, wood carving, blown glass, and more — feel free to surprise us with your creativity!
However, please note that some artwork types are excluded, such as fiber arts (e.g., quilting, silk screening, crochet), erotic artwork, explicit language in the work, wet pieces, wall-hung works exceeding 2,000 square inches, and AI-assisted or AI-generated art (though digital artwork created entirely by you is still encouraged). We no longer have a jewelry category.
If you are not sure if your medium would be accepted, please email the Art in the Barn staff to inquire.
TIP: A common assumption is that the jury wants to see artwork depicting The Great Marsh or Greenbelt properties, but when they receive 50+ submissions of the same view from Allyn Cox Reservation, it is hard for any one of those paintings to stand out. We highly suggest you show a variety of subjects, to help your work stand out from that of other applicants.
*Note on photography: The jury is looking for fine art photography. While there are many great wildlife photographers in the area, for example, and we respect their talent, patience, and expertise, the jury is looking for photography that focuses on the fine art genre of the craft. Exceptions may be made for a truly extraordinary body of photographic work.
Art Students (High School and College)
If you are a college or high school student, please let us know! Regardless of whether the jury accepts your work for this show, staff will take more extensive notes on the jury's feedback and send it to you, if you would like. (Sorry we are not able to offer this to non-student applicants, due to staff time constraints!)
Returning Artists / New Accepted Artists
Returning Artists: Look for an email from us in early February with details about this year’s Art in the Barn. Your response is requested by April 1 for the limited reserved returning artist spots.
All Participating Artists: Mailed packets will go out in early May with a May 19 deadline for emailing us your digital inventory sheet. (Paper/handwritten inventories are no longer accepted. Please reach out early if you are having trouble with the digital version! We’d love to help you out, but last minute requests can only be accommodated if our workload allows!)
We can’t wait to see you in June!
Volunteers Needed!
The success of Art in the Barn relies on the dedication of our amazing volunteers, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! Volunteer opportunities currently available include artist check-in, artist check-out, cashiers, wrappers, docents, parking crew, and Beer Garden Guardians.
If interested, please fill out our volunteer inquiry form and a staff member will be in touch! Volunteer shifts for Art in the Barn will officially open for sign up in late March 2026.
Celebrating Art – Past, Present, and Future
Held at the breathtaking Allyn Cox Reservation, Art in the Barn is more than an art exhibition — it’s a celebration of a rich artistic legacy. Allyn Cox, the property’s namesake, was a renowned muralist who painted the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol among many other projects. In 1974, Cox generously donated his Essex property, including his farmhouse and studio (now the barn), to Greenbelt, creating a lasting legacy that blends art and conservation.
For more than 30 years, Art in the Barn has been Greenbelt’s signature annual fundraiser, supporting essential conservation efforts across Essex County. We are excited to continue this tradition of blending the arts with nature and we invite you to be part of this incredible experience for years to come.
Photos from Art in the Barn 2025
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited, volunteered, or participated in this year’s Art in the Barn! From the opening reception to the final hour, the event was a rousing celebration of creativity, community, and conservation.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for our lively opening night, which helped draw a large and enthusiastic crowd of art lovers and Greenbelt supporters. That positive energy carried over into the next day, with a steady stream of visitors. We’re so grateful for your support — and already looking forward to seeing you next year!
Click on photos to enlarge and see gallery. Photos by Stephen Kozowyk, Neil Ungerleider, and Greenbelt staff.
Thanks to Our Business Sponsors!
A big thank you to our generous business sponsors for supporting Art in the Barn. Your contributions help make this event possible and supports local art and culture. We truly appreciate your partnership!