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 2025
- Friday, June 13: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Opening Reception: 5:00 – 8:30pm
Join us for an exciting evening featuring an Artist Meet & Greet, live music by The Splinters, and delicious food, dessert and drinks from local favorites Butter UR Biscuit, The Cravery, and True North Ale Company.
- Saturday, June 14: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Mayflour Bakery will be on site selling coffee and pastries and Slow River Studio will be holding art-making workshops throughout the day.
Artists contribute 50% or more of proceeds to Greenbelt’s conservation work!
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.
Participating in Art in the Barn
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 Sunday, April 6. You will receive an email with the jury’s decision by May 2 at the latest. We look forward to seeing your creations!
The types of artwork that are 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, 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).
If you are not sure if your medium would be accepted, please email the Art in the Barn staff to inquire.
*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 knowledge, 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.
Returning Artists
Look for an email from us in early February with details about this year’s Art in the Barn. We can’t wait to see you again!
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. Special Offer: Volunteers who did not participate in the 2024 event will receive a free volunteer t-shirt when they sign up before May 1!
If interested, please fill out our volunteer form and a staff member will be in touch!
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!