MALVERN, PA — The Wharton Esherick Museum has announced a call for entries for its 32nd Annual Juried Woodworking Exhibition, inviting artists to submit works that interpret the theme Breaking Ground by January 9, 2026.
The upcoming exhibition will mark the 100th anniversary of the first phase of construction on Esherick’s iconic Studio — a milestone that redefined his career and helped shape American studio craft. The museum is using the centennial as an opportunity to explore what it means to be groundbreaking, both in art and in ideas.
Organizers encourage artists to consider the term’s multiple meanings, from the physical act of breaking earth to the figurative breaking of new creative or ideological ground. Submissions should incorporate wood in some form and reflect innovation, craftsmanship, and fresh interpretation.
Jurors for this year’s exhibition include Tom Loeser, a nationally recognized furniture maker and educator; Joyce Lin, a sculptural furniture designer; and Emily Zilber, the museum’s Director of Curatorial Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. The panel will conduct a blind review of entries, evaluating works based on originality, technical skill, and aesthetic quality.
The competition is open to both emerging and established artists across disciplines. Selected works will be displayed in the Wharton Esherick Museum’s 2026 exhibition program, which will celebrate the studio’s centennial through events and programs honoring Esherick’s legacy as a visionary builder and designer.
For more information or to submit entries, visit www.whartonesherickmuseum.org.
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