Local artists invited to submit work for Memorial Day exhibition honoring fallen veterans

Chelsea artists are invited to submit their work for a special exhibition at City Hall this spring, honoring fallen veterans. The call for artists was initiated by local Army veteran Ron Robinson and is supported by the City of Chelsea.

The exhibition, titled 'Service, Sacrifice, and Collective Remembrance,' will be on view in Chelsea City Hall’s East Wing Gallery from May 18 through June 19, 2026. It aims to commemorate veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice and reflect on themes of service and remembrance, with a particular focus on local heroes.

Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the local archive at the Chelsea Public Library and engage with the living history of veterans' memories. Submissions can be in any medium suitable for wall display, including painting, photography, textiles, collage, and mixed media. No formal artistic training is required; emerging artists, beginners, veterans, and their loved ones are all welcome to participate.

The exhibition is open to Massachusetts artists of any age. Priority will be given to those with connections to Chelsea and the Greater Boston area, as well as veterans and Gold Star families who have a personal connection to Memorial Day's themes.

The submission deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For more information or to apply, residents can visit the city's website or contact Delia Harrington, Manager of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, via email.

An opening reception is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. at Chelsea City Hall, located at 500 Broadway.

Ron Robinson, a Vietnam War-era veteran, social worker, community activist, and co-founder of the Lewis H. Latimer Society & Museum, spearheaded the exhibition. The initiative is backed by the City Manager’s Office and the Veteran Services Department, a division within Health & Human Services (HHS).