Exhibition Dates: June 18 – July 31, 2025
Public Reception & Awards Ceremony: Friday, June 27, 5:00–9:00 PM (during Troy Night Out)

The Fence Show is a cherished tradition that harkens back to the days when members proudly displayed their artwork on the iron fence surrounding Washington Park in Troy—the original home of The Arts Center. Today, members’ artwork takes center stage, exhibited salon-style from floor to ceiling in our galleries. This exhibition highlights a diverse range of skill levels and artistic abilities, showcasing an array of media, including paintings, drawings, photography, fiber arts, stained glass, and sculpture.

Fence Select 2025
Each year the Arts Center invites a juror to choose artwork for the Fence Select, an exhibition curated from the works displayed in the Fence Salon. 50 pieces of art will remain on display from August 13th -September 5th .    

Juror Bill Arning
Bill Arning Exhibitions (BAE) was founded in 2019 by curator Bill Arning, following a four-decade career in the nonprofit art worlds of Cambridge, New York, and Houston. Initially conceived as a radical nomadic curatorial project mounting exhibitions in galleries, museums, and alternative art spaces worldwide, BAE adapted to pandemic- era travel restrictions, first opening a gallery in Houston in 2020 before relocating to New York’s Hudson Valley in 2023.

BAE’s first gallery space, a highly visible storefront in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood—the spiritual heart of the city’s alternative and LGBTQ+ communities—hosted traditional art exhibitions alongside events such as poetry readings, dance performances, burlesque shows, and stand-up comedy, fostering a vibrant sense of community.

In 2022, BAE opened a second gallery in Kinderhook, NY, offering a distinct experience. This historic 1812 building, nestled in the Hudson Valley, attracts a mix of former NYC art-scene enthusiasts who embraced rural living post-pandemic, as well as city weekend visitors. The space, surrounded by stunning natural vistas, encourages quiet contemplation and unique interactions between culture and the environment.

Awards
The awards ceremony will take place on June 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Cash prizes will be awarded for:
-Best in Show
-Two Runners-Up
These awards are generously supported by our community.

Eligibility
The Fence Show is open to all members of The Arts Center whose membership is valid through August 2025. Memberships can be renewed at any time before artwork drop-off. 

2025 Entry Guidelines
-Artists may submit a maximum of two works of art. Diptychs will be considered two separate works due to space limitations.
-Artists submitting work 48” or larger in any direction must obtain approval from the gallery manager before drop-off and may submit only one work. (Contact: Joseph@artscenteronline.org)
-All 2-dimensional drawings and works on paper must be framed and ready to hang with appropriate hanging hardware installed at the time of drop-off.
-Artists with artwork requiring complex installation must contact the curator in advance to make arrangements.
-All works must be labeled on the back with the artist’s name, title, medium, email address, and phone number.
-Due to the scale of this exhibition, video, audio, and installation pieces will not be accepted.
-All artwork must be for sale.

Liability
The Arts Center will insure all entries up to $1,000. Artists will be required to sign an agreement acknowledging commission details, pickup procedures, awards, and reception information.

Sales
All artwork in the Fence exhibition must be for sale. Sales support artists at all levels and further The Arts Center’s mission to bring the arts to the Capital Region. The Arts Center will retain a 35% commission on all artwork sold.

Delivery of Work
Artwork must be delivered to The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy, during the following times:
-Monday, June 2: 4:00–7:00 PM
-Tuesday, June 3: 4:00–7:00 PM
-Wednesday, June 4: 4:00–7:00 PM
-Thursday, June 5: 4:00–7:00 PM
-Friday, June 6: 4:00–7:00 PM
-Sunday, June 8: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Removal of Work
Work not accepted into Fence Select or unsold must be removed during the following times:
-August 3: 12:00–5:00 PM
-August 4–7: 12:00–8:00 PM
-August 8: 12:00–5:00 PM

Any artwork not picked up after August 8 will incur a $10/day late fee. If artwork is not picked up within 30 days of the exhibition’s close, it will become property of The Arts Center and may be discarded.