38th Art in Gadsden, Free Family Saturdays, and more in July!

E-NEWS • JULY 2026

Headliners

Major Exhibitions

38th Annual Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition
Public Opening & Awards Ceremony

Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5pm–7:30pm

Experience the vast creativity of our region at the 38th Annual Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition Public Opening & Awards Ceremony. Be among the first to experience this year’s exhibition, featuring 105 works of art by 87 artists, and celebrate all of the artists whose work was selected for this year’s show, along with our award winners. Special thanks to our sponsors who make this great tradition possible! (Please see below).

Doors open at 5PM with refreshments
Enjoy live music by Hot Tamale
The Awards Ceremony begins promptly at 6:15PM
On the square – enjoy the Quincy Main Street Pop-up Shops: Moxie and Hydrangea House, and the Summer Shop, Sip, and Stroll from 4-7pm.
More info here

Admission:

Free for Gadsden Arts members and your guests* and children 17 and under

$5 for non-member adults | $3 for adult students

*Student and Individual memberships admit 2 people; Family and above admit 4 people

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Education

Virtual Programs Return!

Missed a recent talk or program? Virtual Programs are returning, offering free online access to select Gadsden Arts presentations on the Gadsden Arts YouTube channel.

The latest program, The Intersection of Law and Art: Democracy and the Legacy of RBG, was recorded on May 15, 2026, and features Jacob Eisler, Ph.D., J.D., Harvard graduate and Professor of Constitutional Law at the Florida State University College of Law. Presented in conjunction with Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres, this thoughtful presentation explores democracy and the enduring legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Support for this program was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through NEA America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.

Watch Here

Collect Regional Art

4th Annual Art in Gadsden Flash Sale

Friday, July 24, 2026 |10AM – 7:30PM

Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 10AM – 5PM

Collect work by your favorite artists, and discover new ones! For two days only, during the opening weekend of the 38th Art in Gadsden Juried Exhibition, you can purchase the work on display! Proceeds support participating artists and Gadsden Arts, while you take home something truly special – a triple win!

Holiday Hours

Mid-summer Break

Dear Patrons,

Gadsden Arts Center & Museum will be closed Saturday, July 4. We will reopen for camp on Monday, July 6, and for the public on Tuesday, July 8, with regular business hours from 10 AM–5 PM. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and festive holiday weekend! While we’re closed, we invite you to explore our upcoming exhibitions and events online using the button below.

Warm regards,

The Gadsden Arts Team

Holiday Hours

Open: Thursday, July 2 – Friday, July 3, 2026, from 10AM – 5PM

Closed: Saturday, July 4, 2025

Reopen:

Monday, July 6, 2026 – Camp only

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 – Open to the public

Things to do

Youth & Family

Free art experiences for families at Gadsden Arts

Hello families and neighbors – bring your children to enjoy Free Family Saturdays every week! Get creative in the ArtZone, discover galleries through a Visual Treasure Hunt, and unwind in the Reading Corner. Don’t forget to grab a free book and an Art @ Home Kit to continue the fun at home. Make art, make memories, and keep coming back for more!

Free Family Saturdays are presented by Centennial Bank and offered in partnership with the National Hookup of Black Women – Gadsden. All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, sponsors Bell & Bates Ace Hardware and Sunnyside Farm Management, and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

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Dine & Discover

Conversations with Award-Winning Artists

Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 12pm–1:30pm

Founded 38 years ago, Art in Gadsden showcases exceptional talent from across the region, blending local heritage with fresh vision. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and engaging conversation with past and present Art in Gadsden award winners as they share their stories, creative insights, and experiences.

Luncheon reservations are required and can be made online. Seating is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

Member Exclusive

4th Annual Artists’ Studio Visits

Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9am–4pm

Ever wondered where creativity begins? Join us for a rare chance to meet some of our region’s talented artists and explore the spaces where they bring their ideas to life. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss! Not a member yet? Join today to explore and discover art all year long.

Full details coming August 7—visit gadsdenarts.org/events for the latest information!

Things to see

Regional Art

Relics and Dreams: Jan Austin-Hicken

On view through September 5, 2026

Visitors are invited to experience Relics and Dreams: Jan Austin-Hicken, a vibrant exhibition of assemblages, original hats, and jewelry. Using handmade papers, treasured fabrics, and found objects collected over decades, Austin-Hicken transforms familiar materials into expressive works full of imagination, texture, and personal history.

Regional Art

New Artists Guild Exhibition

On view through September 12, 2026

Enjoy the second Artist’s Guild exhibition of 2026, on view in the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum’s Bates Community Room and Bates Gallery through September 12, 2026. On display is artwork by Nancy Adams, Wendy Adams, Inger Avant, Bobbie Buckingham, Susan Burns, Terrie Corbett, Wendy Devarieux, Brenda Francis, Laura Harrod, Terry Hawkins, William Hugh McKeown, Pamela McLean, Morris Miller, Barbara Psimas, Fred Sanguiliano, Elena Scibelli, Robert DeWitt Smith, Jenny Swearingen, Joel Thornton, and Harris Wiltsher.

Major Exhibitions

Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres – Only 7 days left!

On view through Saturday, July 11, 2026, 5PM

There are only 7 days left to experience Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres, which some visitors have called one of their favorite exhibitions at Gadsden Arts to date. Closing Saturday, July 11, at 5pm, the exhibition features Torres’ powerful woven screenprints and paper quilts, transforming legal texts, civic ideas, and familiar materials into striking works of art. Be sure to see this moving exhibition celebrating art, democracy, and the ideas that shape our communities.

Support for this program was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through
NEA America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.

Jean Gard Fletcher Museum Shop

Take home a piece of Generations

For a limited time, visitors can find Julie Torres prints and original artwork available in the Museum Shop. This special selection offers a meaningful way to bring home a piece connected to Generations: A Solo Exhibit by Julie Torres before the exhibition closes. Stop by the Museum Shop during your visit to explore these works and support both the artist and Gadsden Arts

Explore Our Exhibitions

Generations

On view through

July 11, 2026

Relics and Dreams

On view through

September 5, 2026

Gadsden Arts Artist’s Guild
On view through

September 12, 2026

Art and our Environment

On view through

December 2026

What’s happening!

Community

Thank you to Julie Torres and Tiffany Baker!

Thank you to Julie Torres and Tiffany Baker for joining us for a meaningful Dine & Discover program. Guests had the opportunity to hear from Torres about one of her favorite works, followed by Baker’s thoughtful reflections on history, civic life, and the role museums play in helping communities explore the democratic process. Thank you Tiffany and Julie for creating space for conversation and connection, and for helping us consider the many ways art, history, and civic ideas shape our communities.

Volunteers

Volunteer support makes Gadsden Arts shine

We are pleased to welcome incoming Board Members Pam Butler and Bert Fletcher, longtime supporters of Gadsden Arts whose dedication has helped strengthen our museum community. We are grateful for their continued commitment to our mission, along with our entire Board of Directors for 2026-2027!

To the many volunteers who help Gadsden Arts thrive each year, thank you for sharing your time, talents, and care. Interested in becoming more involved?
New program and leadership volunteer opportunities will be announced soon!

Youth & Family

Art, imagination, and summer fun

Summer Art Camp is in full swing, with three weeks already filled to capacity and young artists filling the museum with creativity, curiosity, and imagination. So far, 43 campers have joined us for hands-on art-making, with 44% receiving a scholarship thanks to generous community support.

We are deeply grateful to our Art for Children & Youth donors, whose gifts help make these meaningful experiences possible, opening the door for more children to explore art, build confidence, and feel welcome at Gadsden Arts.

All Art for Children & Youth programs are made possible by our Art for Children Donors, sponsors Bell & Bates Ace Hardware and Sunnyside Farm Management, and funded in part by a grant awarded by the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Learn more

In the community

Community Events

Downtown Historic District Walking Tour

Explore downtown Quincy in a new way with a guided walking tour of the Historic District presented by Bwembya’s Market & Art Gallery. This 45-minute outdoor tour highlights local stories, historic architecture, Black history, commerce, preservation, and the continued evolution of downtown. Tickets are $15 per person.

Book a tour!