Bull Thistle Summit Challenge
A prompt-based exhibition series inviting artists to create new work in response to a shared theme.
Opening Party · First Friday, Feb 6 (6–8 PM)
Newly created work responding to the built edges of our region — rail lines, bridges, mills, factories, and winter geometry from the Southern Tier to Northeast PA.
- On View: Early February – Late February 2026
- Pickup Unsold Work: After Feb 28
- Mia Amendola — Barton, Tioga County
- Patty Birchard — Barton, Tioga County
- Sheamus Burns — Brackney, Susquehanna County, PA
- Michelle Cady — Owego, Tioga County
- Carolyn Campbell — Owego, Tioga County
- Colette Chermak — Binghamton, Broome County
- Hannah Collier — Norwich, Chenango County
- Heather Esposito — Owego, Tioga County
- Rochelle Goldberg — Vestal, Broome County
- Chelsea Hagin — Johnson City, Broome County
- Mike Krause — Endicott, Broome County
- Mosh — Castle Creek, Broome County
- Kyle Roberts — Apalachin, Tioga County
- Emily Squires — Owego, Tioga County
- Timothy C. Brown — Norwich, Chenango County
- Dillon Utter — Endicott, Broome County
- Emily Welch — Owego, Tioga County
- Jenn Whitmore — Candor, Tioga County
- Suzanne Wirth — Vestal, Broome County
- Sarah Williams — Norwich, Chenango County
Call for New Work · Registration Jan 25 – Mar 1
Interpret the prompt "Common Ground" as it inspires
Common Ground explores where and how gathering happens — planned or unplanned, public or private, fleeting or ritualized, across South Central New York & Northeast Pennsylvania.
- In-the-Works Meetup: Sunday, Feb 22
- Work Due: Feb 28 – Mar 1
- Opening Party: Friday, Mar 6 (6–8 PM)
Artists currently registered for Summit Challenge No. 5. Registration does not guarantee final submission.
- • Mia Amendola (IV)
- • Sarah Williams (IV)
- • Chrissy Capriglione (III)
- • Emily Welch (III)
- • Michelle Cady (V)
- • Mary Jane Clark (I)
- • Hannah Collier (II)
- • Patti Birchard (III)
- • Mosh (III)
- • Dillon Utter (IV)
- • Chelsea Hagin (V)
- Where do people gather without planning to?
- What places quietly allow connection?
- What remains after people move on?
These are starting points — not requirements.
- Source Locations: Within South Central NY and Northeast PA.
- Media: drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, sculpture/3D, photography
- Originality: Bull Thistle Summit Challenge is a prompt-based exhibition series inviting artists to create new work in response to a shared theme. All work should be created within the challenge window.
- AI: At Bull Thistle, we make no judgement about how artists might leverage AI to create new original works. If AI plays a role in the artwork on display, you should make it clear on the artwork's label.
- Dried to the touch: all works must be dry at drop-off
- Size: up to 18″ × 24″
- Pricing: up to $275
- Ready to hang: wired back (no sawtooth hangers); works on paper only if mounted. $5 fee if gallery has to install hanging wire.
- Submissions: up to 2 works · no entry fee
- Sales split: 70% artist / 30% gallery (minus 3% POS/merchandise fee)
Artists are welcome to share progress publicly and tag @bullthistle.gallery on instagram. Process images may be reshared with credit.
- • No. 1 (Oct 2025): Evergreen Cemetery
- • No. 2 (Nov 2025): The Village Downtown
- • No. 3 (Dec 2025): Light Over the Susquehanna
- • No. 4 (Feb 2026): Corners of Industry (on view)
- • No. 5 (Mar 2026): Common Ground (current prompt)
Bull Thistle Art Studio & Gallery · 53 North Ave, Owego NY · @bullthistle.gallery