Worcester Art Museum Silent Response Community Exhibition

Show Dates: 7/23/2025-8/17/2025

Exhibition Reception: No reception; interactive exhibition.

This non-juried exhibition invites students of all ages and experience levels to exhibit in-process works to receive feedback via a silent response process. Imagine a silent auction, where people write in their amounts, but in this case, viewers will be writing or drawing in response to the artwork.

The exhibition will be displayed in The Museum's Higgins Education Wing exhibition space and be free and open to the public.

Applicability: Artists of all ages and experience levels may submit one piece.

Process: Your submission should be an in-progress work which you feel is ready for sharing. In addition, artists have the option to submit up to three questions which will accompany the piece to guide viewer response: i.e., “how do you feel about the colors in this part?” or “what emotions does this piece make you feel and why?” “What could I do to improve this composition?” Each piece will have an envelope near it in which viewers can place index card-sized notes (writing or drawings) in response to the artwork and questions. At the end of the show, artists will collect their notes and have a full “silent response” to their work which they can use to inform their practice.

Size: Maximum dimensions: 2D work no larger than 3’ x 3' when framed, 3D work no larger than 2'x3'x2' and 50 lbs. No multi-part artworks, such as diptychs and triptychs.

Ready to Hang: All work must be ready to hang/install with a wire, a hanging hook, or be able to be thumbtacked to the wall.

Drop-off: You may drop-off your artwork in the Higgins Education Wing between: 7/13/2025-7/20/2025. No drop-offs 7/19/2025

No artwork will be accepted after July 20, 2025.

Art and Notes Pick Up: 8/18/2025-8/31/2025 (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM) No pick-ups 8/22, 8/30

Note: This gallery will include a written disclaimer which outlines the fundamentals of a positive art critique in order to encourage thoughtful, constructive, kind responses from the community.