The Blackstone Valley Art Association is sponsoring our eighth annual “Show of Hands” open art show! The public is warmly invited to participate in this art show! The theme is completely open. Your art can represent anything. This show is open to all forms of artistic expression EXCEPT photography / digital art. It is the counterpoint to our photography-only show in January.
We would love to see watercolors, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, pottery, mixed media, drawings, pastels, colored pencils, sketches, and other non-photographic / non-digital forms of artwork.
All levels of artists are enthusiastically encouraged to participate. This is a community show. You do not need to be a BVAA member to enter artwork into this show.
We award cash prizes!
When:
August 1 to September 5, 2026
Where:
BVAA Open Sky Uxbridge Community Gallery
5 South Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
There is a LOT of free parking immediately next to this building. It is fully and easily handicapped accessible.
BVAA Alternatives Uxbridge Community Art Gallery Information
Entering the Show
The theme is wide open. You can represent ANYTHING with your art. Any topic can be addressed as long as it is family-friendly and is not photography / digital art. Artwork can be any size. That being said, please contact us first if you plan on bringing anything over 20″ x 30″ in size. We need to arrange for space for those separately.
All wall-hanging items must be properly wired for hanging. Our hanging system does not work with saw-tooth or triangle hangers. If you are new to preparing artwork for shows, read our page on How to Mat and Frame a Photo. Please also check out our Show Terms and Conditions
Submissions
To submit your entries use our BVAA Online Submission Form. The fee to participate is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. You can submit up to 2 pieces for that fee. The deadline to submit the online form for labels is Saturday August 1st at midnight.
Drop Off of Works
Work must be dropped off on Saturday, August 1st between 10am and 3pm. Please only drop off at that specific day and time – it is when BVAA volunteers are at the gallery. All work which is brought in will be displayed in the show (as long as it is family-friendly and, if hanging on a wall, has proper wiring).
Opening Reception
The show reception will be Friday, August 7th from 5-7. Invite family and friends – all are welcome! We tend to announce the prize winners at 6pm, right in the middle, about 6pm. We award cash prizes based on the amount of entry-fee money the show brings in. All the money that comes in for the show goes right back out to the people who win awards in that show.
Pick Up
Saturday, September 5th, 2026, from 10am to 3pm. If you aren’t able to make that, contact us for other arrangements. Please only come in on Saturday – the Open Sky staff who are there during the week do not want to be responsible for allowing artwork to be taken away.
Address any questions via our BVAA Contact Information
Ask with any questions! We look forward to seeing your entries!
Full 2026 BVAA Uxbridge Gallery Art Show Schedule
Here’s the 2025 show!
Video from 2022’s Show of Hands art show:
Here’s the first ever Show of Hands art show in 2017 –
Thank you for the support from:
