Aldrich Decennial 2026: Connecticut Artists Survey

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut is launching the Aldrich Decennial, a new recurring survey exhibition that will take place every 10 years. This unique opportunity focuses exclusively on artists living and working in Connecticut, highlighting the immense talent in the state.

The first iteration, titled "I am what is around me," will run from June 7, 2026, to January 10, 2027. The exhibition has been organized by Chief Curator Amy Smith-Stewart and Curatorial and Publications Manager Caitlin Monachino, who conducted over 100 studio visits during their research process.

For this inaugural edition, 40 artists have been selected from an international group, including notable names such as Dominic Chambers, Tammy Nguyen, Em Rooney, Aki Sasamoto, and Julia Wachtel. The selected artists range in age from Lucy Sallick (born 1937) to Remy Sosa (born 1995), representing diverse generations of creative practitioners.

Key eligibility criteria include: artists must be living and working in Connecticut, must not have previously exhibited in Connecticut, and their work must have been created within the last decade. The exhibition will span the entire Aldrich campus, utilizing 8,000 square feet of galleries and the recently renovated three-acre grounds, which includes a sculpture garden.

The decennial aims to explore the varied artistic expressions of generations of artists who have chosen to work outside major art centers. It will be accompanied by a catalog. The Aldrich's pacing model is unusual in the art world, with only Sculpture Projects Münster in Germany following a similar 10-year exhibition cycle.

This opportunity celebrates Connecticut's rich artistic heritage, referencing historical residents including the Albers, Calder, Johns, Bourgeois, and LeWitt. Executive Director Cybele Maylone emphasized the museum's commitment to spotlighting the state's immense contemporary talent through this new series.