Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Exhibition artwork

Monument Arts & Cultural Center

The Horse Observed

A Juried Equestrian Exhibit honoring the Legacy of Sam Savitt

Bennington, VT

March 29 – June 21, 2026

Deadline is March 6th. 5 weeks left to enter.
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Exhibition Overview

In conjunction with a retrospective of Sam Savitt

This equestrian-themed exhibition is presented in conjunction with a retrospective of Sam Savitt, honoring his enduring influence on the art of the horse. The exhibition invites contemporary artists to explore the horse as subject—athlete, partner, and icon—through painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Artists are encouraged to respond to the spirit of Savitt’s work: a deep respect for anatomy, movement, and the timeless bond between horse and rider. Interpretations may range from representational to expressive, historical to contemporary, celebrating both technical mastery and personal vision.

Together, the retrospective and companion exhibition create a dialogue between legacy and living practice, underscoring the continued relevance of equestrian art today.

Location

Monument Arts & Cultural Center
44 Gypsy Lane
Bennington, VT

Eligibility

All artists

Artwork Requirements

  • All two- and three-dimensional media will be considered, including but not limited to:
    • Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media)
    • Drawing and illustration
    • Printmaking
    • Collage
    • Sculpture
    • Fiber, textile, and assemblage
  • Photography and digital media are not accepted for this show.
  • Hanging works must measure less than 60” in the longest direction, including frame
  • Sculptural works must fit on a 16" x 20" pedestal, and must be stable and safe for display
  • 2D Work must be framed and wired for hanging. No saw tooth clips. Gallery-wrapped canvases are not considered framed.

Entry Fees

  • $25 for first two entries. $10 for each additional submission up to a total of 5.
  • No more than two entries from each artist may be accepted.
Entry fees are non-refundable.

Shipping and Insurance

Artist is responsible for shipping costs to the venue and return. A prepaid return UPS or FedEx label must be included in the box, along with a $25 handling fee. (Handling fee may also be paid online through PayPal. Instructions will be sent upon acceptance into the show). Artists shipping more than one painting are only required to pay one fee.

2D artworks must be shipped in an Airfloat, Masterpak or equivalent shipping container. 3D sculptures may arrive in wooden crates. No peanuts; no loose fill.

Artists are responsible for insurance in transit; the MAC Center will insure the artwork when on premises.

Exhibition Jurors

MAC Center Gallery Committee

Jury selections will be based on:
  • Artistic excellence
  • Originality and creativity
  • Technical skill
  • Interpretation of theme
All jury decisions are final.

Awards Juror

TBA

Awards

1st Place – $350
2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $200
Peoples’ Choice – $150

Sales

Works must be for sale. NFS is not allowed.
The MAC Center will retain a 35% commission on sales.

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on March 16, 2026.

If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.

Image and Filename Specifications

  • File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
  • Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
  • Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
  • Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
  • File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
  • File Size: There is a 30mb maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.

Additional Entry Information

  • You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
  • After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (March 6, 2026.)
  • Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
  • Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Support

Questions about this exhibition?
Contact James Coe ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, MACC, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.

Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.