Arts at The Fells

Call for Sculptors: Art in Nature 2026 at The Fells

The John Hay Estate at The Fells invites sculptors to submit work for the Art in Nature 2026 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, a celebrated annual showcase set on 84 acres along beautiful Lake Sunapee. With over 10,000 visitors each season, this is a unique opportunity to exhibit your work in one of New England’s most inspiring landscapes.

We especially welcome kinetic sculptures that respond to the natural movement of wind and weather across the grounds.

DETAILS

• Exhibition runs May–October 2026

• Artists receive 100% commission on all sales

• Up to three works may be submitted

• Maximum weight: 1000 lbs

• All work must be for sale and remain for the full season

2026 Exhibits Art, Sculpture, and Poetry

Open May 23 through October 12, 2026

First Floor Art Gallery: Greenway Artists Collective 

The Greenway Art Collective is a group of like-minded professional artists based in western New Hampshire who convene regularly to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and support one another’s creative practice. Its members are seasoned exhibitors with an extensive history of participation in group and solo exhibitions, as well as art and craft fairs, throughout New England.  

Working in a range of media - including oil, acrylic, ink, watercolor, and mixed media - the artists of the collective bring diverse styles and perspectives to their work. With a deep connection to the natural world, their work frequently captures the vistas, trees, flowers and wildlife of the region. For one artist, nature serves as a catalyst for abstract meditations on climate change. 

Second Floor Art Gallery: Whispers of Woods & Water 

Discover our second-floor gallery, where the natural beauty of the Lake Sunapee region comes to life through the work of talented local artists. Inspired by forest trails, quiet shorelines, changing seasons, and the light on the lake, each piece reflects a deep connection to the landscapes that surround us. We invite you to wander, linger, and experience nature as seen through the eyes of those who know and love this place best. 

Art in Nature

Find striking visions through the "Art in Nature” sculpture exhibit. Stroll through The Fells grounds and gardens to view beautiful sculptures using various mediums.

The outdoor showcase will feature works by local and regional artists and is on display throughout the season and is available for purchase.

Stay tuned for the 2026 Sculptors!

Poetry Walk at The John Hay Estate at the Fells

The Poetry Walk is a collaboration between the Newbury Public Library and the John Hay Estate at The Fells. Our mission is to promote a love of poetry and a deeper connection to our natural world, through the installation of 16 poems throughout the landscape of The Fells. To follow the Poetry Walk during your visit to the John Hay Estate at The Fells, find a map at the Visitor’s Kiosk in the upper parking lot. You then follow the map during your walk around the trails and gardens to enjoy the poems.

This poetry installation is rotated annually to reflect the changing times and we welcome your suggestions for future poems. You may contact us at info@thefells.org.

Poem selection and poem placement is done by a committee made up of Lea McBain of The Newbury Public Library, Nancy Marashio, Newbury’s Poet Laureate Dianalee Velie, and Jocelyn Fraser of The Fells.

Events & Workshops

Artists Weekend: July 11-12, 2026

Art in Bloom: July 16-17, 2026

Experience the art of our current Gallery exhibit, through the eyes of talented local floral designers. “In all of nature there can be nothing more expressive than silence,” wrote John Hay. See how these talented florists interpret the painted canvas through innovative floral designs—from a single stem set in the perfect vase to an elaborate arrangement.

Summer Concert Series: JOSA presents Back Bay Transit Plus Art in Nature Sculpture Walk: August 30

Join us for a magical late‑summer evening of music, art, and nature at the Estate. Begin at 4:00 PM with a guided Sculpture Walk through the 2026 Art in Nature Sculpture Exhibit, where garden paths glow in the golden hour and works by local and regional sculptors come alive in the landscape. Meet the artists, explore the grounds, and soak in the beauty of the setting. At 5:00 PM, settle in for JOSA Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon, an outdoor concert that carries the celebration through sunset. Charcuterie will be provided as a delicious accompaniment to the art and music, and guests are welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy on the grounds. Celebrate creativity, community, and the lingering warmth of summer during this special evening—where art, music, and nature come together in perfect harmony. 

Adult Plein Air Painting Class Series with Debbie Campbell: September 9, 16, and 23

Try your hand at capturing the beautiful scenery of The Fells onto canvas in this beginner plein air painting class for adults. Led by local artist, Debbie Campbell, this course will cover the basics of plein air painting where artists will learn about color, composition and perspective. Take advantage of the magnificent landscapes of The Fells grounds and learn about using light and color to create form in either oil or acrylic paints.