Spectrum Art Gallery & Store
The Arts Center Killingworth is an IRS-approved 501 (c)(3) arts organization DBA Spectrum Gallery which organizes annual art exhibitions, weekly ongoing classes, and workshops for teens and adults at all levels, summer camps, and local area outdoor arts festivals.
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Description
Founded in 2003 by executive director Barbara Nair whose vision for the organization emerged during her nonprofit management studies at New York University. She has been directing the nonprofit since its inception as a small studio space offering weekend classes and has grown it with a small staff and volunteers to the present Spectrum Gallery and Artisans store in Centerbrook, Connecticut. The Arts Center Killingworth is an IRS-approved 501 (c)(3) arts organization DBA Spectrum Gallery which organizes annual art exhibitions, weekly ongoing classes, and workshops for teens and adults at all levels, summer camps, and local area outdoor arts festivals. This programming attracts hundreds of people who have participated in events both on the Shoreline of Connecticut and throughout the state. The annual Arts Festivals occur on Father’s Day Weekend in the Essex Town Park, and on Columbus Day Weekend on the Madison Town Green. These events encourage artists to present and sell their work to a broader audience with attendance ranging up to 1,000 people. The Arts Center has operated the 1,900-square-foot Spectrum Gallery and Artisans Store in Centerbrook since 2014 where classes, workshops, and exhibits occur as well as runs an intimate art studio in Killingworth. The Arts Center and Spectrum Art Gallery support amateur and professional artists both in Killingworth and surrounding towns such as Centerbrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Old Saybrook, Chester, Clinton, Madison and beyond. Its reach is now into New England and the tristate area. Each exhibit includes 80-100 emerging and professional artists.
Organization Type
Arts NonprofitLOCATION
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Forces of Nature
Climate change has made the forces of nature feel more urgent, visible, and dangerous, but nature has always carried immense power. For this show, the Gallery is looking for artwork that captures nature’s force in all its forms, from destructive weather and turbulent landscapes to the steady, predictable rhythms of the natural world.
Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly through subjects such as storms, wind, water, fire, changing seasons, geological movement, and other expressions of nature’s beauty, intensity, and strength. We welcome submissions in all mediums, including fiber and photography, that reflect both the drama and the enduring patterns of the natural world.
Essex Outdoor Summer Arts Festival 2026
PROSPECTUS: 2026 Outdoor Summer Arts Festival in Essex, CT
Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery announce a Call for Representational and Abstract Painters,
Sculptors, Illustrators, Photographers, Original Printmakers, Fabric Artists, Glass and Wood Artisans, Jewelry
Designers and Crafters for the Summer Arts Festival.
Open to visual artists working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, pencil and charcoal, paper, mixed media, fabric, glass, wood,stone and clay.
Golden Threads and Creative Paper
Spectrum Art Gallery is now accepting submissions for our second exhibition of 2026, Golden Threads and Paper Creations, running March 27 through May 9, with an opening reception on Friday, March 27, from 6:30–8:30pm.
The Gallery is looking for wall art, fiber sculptures and installations that feature either fiber and/or paper as the main materials as well as store items including basketry, leather and felted items that display art created with different fibers and fiber techniques, and paper items such as collage, book art, quilled, and paper cut pieces. The purpose of this show is to show the varied ways fiber and paper can be creatively used. The Artisan Store is also accepting fine crafts in all media and does not require adherence to the exhibition theme. Seasonal items are suggested but not required.
Artists should email 3–4 JPG images (approx. 1MB each) with title, materials used, and dimensions to Barbara@spectrumartgallery.org, using “Golden Threads and Paper” in the subject line. Artwork receiving will take place at the Gallery on March 15–19 (1–6pm). Gallery director reviews all submissions before receiving so early submissions are strongly encouraged.
Fine Art Instructors Wanted
Spectrum Art Gallery is seeking talented, energetic instructors to teach in-person watercolor, acrylic and oil painting to adult students of all levels from beginner to more advanced. Classes are weekly 2 hour sessions for 5 weeks at a time.
Signs of Love Call for Art
Yes, Valentine’s Day will occur during this show, but people can show signs of love every day not just one day of the year. Gallery is looking for images and symbols of love and affection as well as interactions between people and people and animals experiencing affection in all mediums.
Forces of Nature
Climate change has made the forces of nature feel more urgent, visible, and dangerous, but nature has always carried immense power. For this show, the Gallery is looking for artwork that captures nature’s force in all its forms, from destructive weather and turbulent landscapes to the steady, predictable rhythms of the natural world.
Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme broadly through subjects such as storms, wind, water, fire, changing seasons, geological movement, and other expressions of nature’s beauty, intensity, and strength. We welcome submissions in all mediums, including fiber and photography, that reflect both the drama and the enduring patterns of the natural world.
Essex Outdoor Summer Arts Festival 2026
PROSPECTUS: 2026 Outdoor Summer Arts Festival in Essex, CT
Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery announce a Call for Representational and Abstract Painters,
Sculptors, Illustrators, Photographers, Original Printmakers, Fabric Artists, Glass and Wood Artisans, Jewelry
Designers and Crafters for the Summer Arts Festival.
Open to visual artists working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, pencil and charcoal, paper, mixed media, fabric, glass, wood,stone and clay.
Golden Threads and Creative Paper
Spectrum Art Gallery is now accepting submissions for our second exhibition of 2026, Golden Threads and Paper Creations, running March 27 through May 9, with an opening reception on Friday, March 27, from 6:30–8:30pm.
The Gallery is looking for wall art, fiber sculptures and installations that feature either fiber and/or paper as the main materials as well as store items including basketry, leather and felted items that display art created with different fibers and fiber techniques, and paper items such as collage, book art, quilled, and paper cut pieces. The purpose of this show is to show the varied ways fiber and paper can be creatively used. The Artisan Store is also accepting fine crafts in all media and does not require adherence to the exhibition theme. Seasonal items are suggested but not required.
Artists should email 3–4 JPG images (approx. 1MB each) with title, materials used, and dimensions to Barbara@spectrumartgallery.org, using “Golden Threads and Paper” in the subject line. Artwork receiving will take place at the Gallery on March 15–19 (1–6pm). Gallery director reviews all submissions before receiving so early submissions are strongly encouraged.
Fine Art Instructors Wanted
Spectrum Art Gallery is seeking talented, energetic instructors to teach in-person watercolor, acrylic and oil painting to adult students of all levels from beginner to more advanced. Classes are weekly 2 hour sessions for 5 weeks at a time.
Signs of Love Call for Art
Yes, Valentine’s Day will occur during this show, but people can show signs of love every day not just one day of the year. Gallery is looking for images and symbols of love and affection as well as interactions between people and people and animals experiencing affection in all mediums.