Summit Challenge Exhibition Series
A prompt-based exhibition series inviting artists to create new work in response to a shared theme.
How the challenge unfolds
Three $100 prizes announced July 4
Instead of traditional “best painting” awards, these prizes are designed to encourage different ways of engaging with place.
The Close Looking Prize
For extraordinary observation and attention to place.
The Translation Prize
For work that transforms observation into something personal, experimental, or unexpected.
The Staying With It Prize
For sustained engagement with Owego and its surroundings.
A different kind of Summit Challenge
Instead of a traditional deadline-based exhibition, Owego Field Studies will grow over time. Artists are invited to create small-format work based on time spent looking closely at Owego. The main creation period runs through June 21, and work may continue to be accepted afterward as space allows.
Go out. Observe closely.
Create around Owego.
You might sketch a storefront, paint changing light on the river, collect textures and shapes for collage, study an old tree, interpret a neighborhood through color, or focus on overlooked details most people pass by.
Observation & Interpretation
This challenge begins with spending time looking closely.
Artists are encouraged to sketch outside, work on-site, walk, observe, gather references, take notes, and spend time paying attention to the places, details, atmosphere, and rhythms of Owego during the challenge period.
Finished work does not need to be strictly realistic or completed entirely on location. You can simplify, exaggerate, stylize, or abstract what you observe.
The important thing is that the work begins with direct experience of Owego during the challenge period.
What Counts as Owego?
Owego Field Studies is centered on the Village of Owego and the places immediately surrounding and connected to it.
This may include downtown streets, storefronts, neighborhoods, riverbanks, bridges, parks, cemeteries, nearby roads, edges of town, farms, overlooks, and places that feel meaningfully connected to Owego and its day-to-day life.
The goal is not strict geography or map-policing, but the work should stay reasonably close to Owego and connected to the character of the area.
As a loose rule of thumb, if a location feels like part of the greater Owego area — roughly within 10–15 minutes of downtown Owego — you’re probably in the right territory.
Bull Thistle reserves final discretion on whether work fits the spirit of the challenge. A reference map may be used for clarification if questions arise.
Optional Meetups & Studio Time
Everything below is optional and flexible. Join one meetup, all of them, or none at all.
Thursday Pop-Up Nocturne
Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 PM
If weather cooperates, we’ll meet at the gallery for a short evening outing to sketch or paint into dusk. Weather confirmation will be posted about 2 hours beforehand.
Saturday Field + Open Studio
Saturday, June 13
Starting at 9:00 AM: A suggested field location will be posted on the gallery door for early birds. Come whenever works for you. Our current location will stay posted so artists can join at any time.
11:00 AM–4:00 PM: The studio space at Bull Thistle will be available. Stay outside as long as you’d like, or return to the gallery to continue working.
Donated easels and interesting art supplies may also be available to borrow or experiment with.
Sunday Evening Field Session
Sunday, June 14 at 5:30 PM
Meet at the gallery and we’ll choose a location together, then head out to work by around 6:00 PM. A relaxed evening option for anyone who couldn’t make Thursday or Saturday.
Stay tuned to Instagram @bullthistle.gallery for weather confirmations and any additional updates.
Participation & Surface Stamping
Owego Field Studies uses a surface stamping system to help ensure work is created specifically during the challenge period and remains connected to observation and active making.
Registration takes place in person at Bull Thistle through June 21. Bring the surfaces you intend to work on and receive your official Field Study stamps before beginning.
Artists can register Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, and Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM–6:00 PM.
There is no need to know exactly what you plan to make before registering. The challenge is meant to begin with observation and time spent looking.
In-Person Registration
Participation fee: $25. Registration includes up to 5 official Field Study surface stamps.
Bring Your Own Surface
Artists may bring their own canvas, panel, paper, board, or other approved working surface to be stamped before beginning work. Printmakers should bring their pre-worked plate or printing surface.
Need Materials?
Bull Thistle may have affordable surfaces available through the Art Supply Library. Just ask what is currently available in-store.
Additional Stamps
Additional surfaces may be stamped for $5 each if exhibition space remains available.
Rolling Submission
Work may be submitted as it is finished and ready for installation throughout the challenge period.
Space
Work is installed on a rolling, first-come basis as space allows. Participation may close once exhibition space is full.
Field Study Open Hours: Stamping, Drop-Off & Gallery
During the active creation period (June 6–21), Bull Thistle will maintain regular hours for registration, surface stamping, artwork drop-off, and questions.
Weekends Sat/Sun
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Staffed for stamping, registration, artwork drop-off, and gallery visits.
Weekdays M–F
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Dedicated Field Studies hours for surface stamping and receiving completed work.
Need Another Time?
Can’t make regular hours? Reach out and we’ll do our best to arrange another time.
Hours after June 21 will be announced following Strawberry Festival weekend.
Artwork Guidelines
Accepted Media
Painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, fiber, assemblage, small wall-based sculpture, and experimental work based on observation are welcome.
Photography as a sole medium will not be accepted.
Digital collage or mixed-media work incorporating photographic elements captured by the artist during the challenge period is welcome.
Artist Prints
Artists may include a limited number of artist prints based only on original work created for Owego Field Studies.
Up to 10 total prints may be included per artist across all challenge-created work.
Prints are separate from stamped original works and do not count toward surface stamps.
Prints of pre-existing work, unrelated work, or artwork created outside the challenge period are not eligible.
AI & Process
AI-assisted or AI-generated work is not eligible for this challenge.
The spirit of Owego Field Studies is direct observation, personal interpretation, and time spent looking closely at place.
Size
Maximum size is 16 × 20 inches, including frame.
Smaller work is encouraged. Oversized work will not be accepted.
Display
- All work must arrive exhibition-ready
- Work must be capable of secure wall display
- Works on paper must be framed and securely wired
- Framed work should have D-rings or eye-hooks and hanging wire
- Sawtooth hangers do not work with the available hanging system
- No clips, temporary adhesives, unstable mounting, or unfinished presentation
- This may seem burdensome, but these guidelines help make the effort to hang and enjoy your work easier for both the exhibition and collectors who want to place your work in their home.
Gallery Preparation
Artists are responsible for ensuring work is exhibition-ready upon delivery.
Bull Thistle will not wire, frame, alter, or prepare work for installation. We can sell you the hardware to do it, and you are welcome to prepare your work in the studio during Field Study open hours.
Artwork Information
Submitted work should include artist name, title, location, medium, and retail price attached to the back at the time of drop-off.
Having this information ready helps with rolling installation and sales.
Evolving Exhibition Model
Owego Field Studies is an active, changing exhibition.
Sold work will be released immediately to collectors. Artists should only submit work they are prepared to let go of at the time of sale.
As work sells and leaves, new completed stamped work may enter the exhibition if space allows.
- Previously completed work is not eligible
- Submission does not guarantee exhibition of all work
- Work may be rotated, rearranged, or removed as the exhibition evolves
- Bull Thistle retains final discretion regarding placement and exhibition suitability
Sales & Pricing
- Artists set their own prices
- Bull Thistle retains a 30% commission on 97% of the retail sale price after payment processing
- Sold work leaves with the collector immediately
- Submitted work should include artist name, title, medium, and retail price
Owego Field Studies emphasizes small, collectible work and immediate release.
Artists are encouraged to price work thoughtfully in relation to scale, presentation, framing, and the spirit of the exhibition.
To support accessibility and spontaneous collecting during Strawberry Festival and the rolling exhibition period, a suggested maximum retail price of $300 is encouraged for most work.
Ready to begin?
Registration happens in person. Bring your surfaces to Bull Thistle during Field Studies hours to register, get stamped, and begin.
Questions?
Stop by during Field Studies hours or message Bull Thistle on Instagram at @bullthistle.gallery.
Challenge Archive
- • 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
- • No. 5 (Mar 2026): Common Ground
- • No. 6 (Apr 2026): Marked Places
- • No. 7 (May 2026): Local Lore & Legends
- • No. 8 (June 2026): Owego Field Studies (current call)
Bull Thistle Art Studio & Gallery · 53 North Ave, Owego NY · @bullthistle.gallery