The Cumberland Valley Artists Exhibition, on view at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts from November 8, 2025, through April 26, 2026, has officially concluded following an extended and successful run. This year, the exhibition invited artists to respond to four resonant themes in recognition of America’s semiquincentennial: Unfinished Revolutions, Power of Place, Tell Everyone’s Story, and American Experiment.
This year’s exhibition inspired an extraordinary response from the regional artistic community. Eighty-five artists submitted a total of 198 works, with 62 pieces selected for display. Together, these works offered thoughtful and often deeply personal reflections on the complexities of American identity—grappling with histories of progress and setback, while pointing toward resilience and hope in uncertain times.
The exhibition also saw exceptional engagement from the public. Over the course of its extended run, more than 13,500 visitors experienced the exhibition, and more than 3,000 guests participated in the popular vote—an annual tradition that invites visitors to share their perspectives and celebrate their favorite works. This level of participation speaks to the meaningful connections formed between the artwork and the community it serves.
The museum is pleased to announce that the first-place winner of the 2026 Popular Vote is James Roberts, Fabric. Roberts was a school teacher for many years, and his piece, Fabric, critiques the growing prevalence of gun violence in our communities and the stalemated discourse surrounding the topic. The piece itself is a blend of laser-cut steel, rust patina, acrylic paint, and wood, resulting in a metal American flag unraveling into machine guns on a yellow-painted wooden background.
This artist captured the attention and imagination of visitors, reflecting the diverse voices and interpretations that made this year’s exhibition especially compelling.
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts extends its sincere gratitude to all who visited, voted, and engaged with the exhibition. The enthusiasm and thoughtful participation of our visitors not only activated the meaning of these works but also made the museum’s mission possible. Community support—through attendance, dialogue, and shared experiences—remains at the heart of everything we do.
The Cumberland Valley Artists Exhibition was organized by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts with generous support from Conservit Inc., Hugh and Marty Talton, the Delaplaine Foundation, and Katharine and Kent Oliver.
Looking ahead, the museum is pleased to announce the upcoming 2026 Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibition, opening June 20, 2026. The exhibition will debut with a free artist panel discussion featuring award-winning artists and museum jurors, followed by a reception in the museum’s atrium.
For more information about exhibitions and upcoming programs, please visit the Museum’s website.
General Information
Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Closed Mondays and major holidays
Admission and parking are free
Media Contact:
Bailey Rafter
Manager of Marketing and Publications
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
301-749-5727 x124
brafter@wcmfa.org
