2026 LOVE Where You Read – Freedom to Read Poster Contest

Now accepting submissions through September 25th!

EXHIBITION

The LOVE Where You Read Art Contest challenges students and local artists (ages 15 and up) to design an original poster that explores the theme “America 250: Freedom to Read.” Libraries have long served as places where people can discover new ideas, learn from different perspectives, and access information freely. This year’s contest asks artists to reflect on the role of reading, learning, and libraries in a free society.

Your artwork might explore questions such as:

• What does the freedom to read mean to you?
• How do libraries help strengthen our communities and democracy?
• How has access to books, information, and ideas shaped America over the past 250 years?
• What role will reading and lifelong learning play in America’s future?

GOAL

LOVE WHERE YOU READ is an opportunity for artists of all skill levels to showcase their talent while giving back to the library. Some of the images chosen may be featured on notecards, calendars or merchandise that will benefit the programs and activities at the library. This year our top winner will win $250!

JURORS​

Selections will be made by the friendly staff at SFL. The selection process will be a blind selection with jurors submitting via ballot. Artists will be notified via email by September 30, 2026 if their piece is chosen for the exhibit.

ELIGIBILITY

This contest/exhibition is open to artists AGES 15 TO ADULT. Artists younger than 15 are welcome to submit and will be featured on a special artist wall as part of the exhibition but will not be juried. The​ ​following​ ​information​ ​is​ ​required​ ​for​ ​submission​:

• Name,​ ​address​,​ ​telephone,​ ​e-mail.
• Up​ ​to​ ​2 ​works​ ​total​ ​may​ ​be​ ​submitted.
• Images​ submitted digitally must be JPEG or PNG and sent to millie@stoningtonfreelibrary.org with the subject line:
  2026 SFL LOVE WHERE YOU READ/FREEDOM TO READ, [Artist’s Name], image title
• Original work may also be submitted in person (Stonington Free Library – 20 High Street, Stonington CT)
• Artwork must be on paper or flat surface and no larger that 11.5″x17.5″

IMPORTANT​ ​DATES​:

• Now until September 25:​ ​​​Entries​ emailed to millie@stoningtonfreelibrary.org
• September 29-30: Notification​ ​of​ ​acceptance or rejection sent via email
• October 1-​​​December 30: 2026 LOVE WHERE YOU READ EXHIBIT on display
• January 7: Pick up party! Artworks and prizes will be ready for pick-up.
• For​ ​questions,​ ​contact​ ​millie@stoningtonfreelibrary.org ​or​ ​call​ ​860-535-0658

PERMISSION​ ​AND​ ​COPYRIGHT

By​ ​submitting​ ​an​ ​entry,​ ​the​ ​Artist​ ​grants​ ​permission​ for the Stonington Free Library to ​use​ ​the accepted​ ​image​ ​on​ ​its​ ​website​, brochures,​ ​promotional​ ​materials,​ ​merchandise and​ ​publicity​ ​about​ ​the​ ​exhibition and library, both​ ​physical​ ​and​ ​virtual.​ ​Every​ ​effort​ ​will​ ​be​ ​made​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​quality​ ​true​ ​to​ ​the​ ​submitted​ ​image,​ ​recognizing​ ​that​ ​the​ ​print or​ ​electronic​ ​medium​ ​may​ ​affect​ ​how​ ​the​ ​viewer​ ​receives​ ​the​ ​image.​ ​Artist​ ​will​ ​be​ ​given​ ​attribution​ ​for​ ​the​ ​work. The​ ​Artist​ ​hereby​ ​certifies​ ​that​ ​he​ ​or​ ​she​ ​holds​ ​the​ ​copyright​ ​for​ ​this​ ​material​ ​and​ ​the​ ​copyright​ ​remains​ ​with​ ​said​ ​Artist. SFL​ ​will​ ​display​ ​a​ ​notice​ ​that​ ​material​ ​must​ ​not​ be​ ​“downloaded”​ ​or​ ​copied,​ ​but​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​held responsible​ ​if​ ​artwork​ ​is​ ​copied. By​ submitting your artwork and/or ​signing​ ​this​ ​agreement,​ ​the​ ​Artist​ ​acknowledges​ ​and​ ​understands​ ​the​ ​above​ ​provisions​ ​and​ ​has​ ​read​ ​and​ ​agreed​ ​with​ ​the provisions​ set by the contest.