essential art:  annual
regional juried show

May 16 - June 25, 2026
Gallery Hours:  Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 4pm

tapping the creative talents of new york State!

It never ceases to amaze us, the wealth of artistic talent from New York State!  For 35 years running, the ESSENTIAL ART Regional Juried Show has been a cornerstone of our annual exhibit schedule, kicking off the CAA's busy summer season in May & June.  This show is open to New York State residents only, working in any and all media, and juried by a different set of judges each year—ensuring endlessly diverse and compelling exhibits.  

Opening Reception: May 15 | 5-7pm
       • Awards at 6 pm
Exhibition Dates: May 16 - June 25

HOW TO ENTER?

Open to artists 18 years of age and older who are residents of New York State. Artists must hand-deliver their artwork to the Cooperstown Art Association on the specified dates, shipped artwork is not eligible for entry. All artwork must be for sale for to be eligible for entry. Crafts, commercial or digital reproductions, in any media are not eligible for entry. This does not apply to photographs or digital art.

Please read the entire Prospectus prior to entry, and make note of significant dates and times as they pertain to your participation.


This Exhibit will be on display May 16 - June 25 in gallery A

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 4pm

THE 2025 annual Regional juried exhibition
Viewers Choice Award Winner

David Kiehm - A Rustle of Leaves - oil on panel

2026 Annual Regional Juried Exhibition
Award Winners:

Grand Prize
Dave Porter
Packing Pillows 

The Linda M. Clark Memorial Award
for artwork depicting rural life
Jeffrey Glave
September Cornfield

Hannah-Lee Stokes Memorial Prize
Andre Jones
Seizure

Bertha Bartlett Sherman Memorial Prize for floral
Elizabeth Hoheusle
Pansies and Zinneas

Michael J. Naso Jr. Memorial Prize for photography
John Hudak
Roses and Scapes

Award of Merit
Joanne Thorne Arnold
Smokin’ Guns

Award of Merit
Marie Dungan
Untitled

Award of Merit
Ken Weir
Girl in a Blue Scarf

Mary Garrison Memorial Prize
Heather Caufield
Clouded Gaze

Florence Peaslee Ward Memorial Prize for local, historical building or place
James Covington
Lakeside

Leatherstocking Brush & Palette Club Prize for an Otsego County artist, drawing or painting
Julie Huntsman
The Collie

Leatherstocking Credit Union Prize
James Bruce Schwabach
Rite of Spring

Golden Artist Colors Inc. Prize for watercolor
Maureen Heroux
Morning Meadow

Carefree Gardens Prize
Megan Adams Irving
In Place

Jurors’ Citation
Mary Helen Epps
Contemplation

Jurors’ Citation
Janky Painting
Take Me To Burger King

Jurors’ Citation
Thomas R. Nettle
Helena (after Gerhard ter Borch)

THE 2025 annual Regional juried exhibition
award winners