Mercer County Artists Exhibit

In 1971, the County’s Cultural and Heritage Commission created the Mercer County Artists show – an annual, juried exhibition showcasing the work of artists 18 years or older that are living, working or studying full time in Mercer County. This was the first County-sponsored program of its type to be held in New Jersey. The Commission partners with public art galleries to present these exhibits. Early shows were held at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), however, since the 1990s, the Commission’s partner for the Mercer County Artists exhibit has been The Gallery at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor.

Both Merit Awards and "Mercer County Purchase Awards" are given out each year. Works chosen for Purchase Awards become a part of the County's extensive Permanent Art Collection, displayed and maintained at the McDade Administration Building in Trenton. In the 1980s the program expanded to include a biennial Mercer County Photography exhibition, also open to all residents of the County.

For information about Mercer County Artists exhibits, email your name, full street address (with city and ZIP code), and a telephone number to Chelsey Johnstone cjohnstone@mercercounty.org. Please use "MCArtist" as the subject line of your email.

Past Mercer County Artists' Purchase Award Recipients: 

2021 Mercer County Artists' Purchase Awards -  

Daniel Luchansky  - "Universe in a Bubble"
Libby Ramage - "Thank you Mrs. Thompson"
Joel Rudin - "Points Unknown"
Karen Schoenitz - "Spring Cleaning"

The Mercer County Artists and Mercer County Photo exhibits are both supported, in part, through a grant from the

New Jersey State Council on the Arts.