Paws-itive Energy Juried Art Show

This “loosely juried” art show is a fundraiser for Darbster
Kitty with a theme of “Pawsitive Energy!” Artwork will be displayed from Thursday, June 4th until Sunday, June 7th at the Darbster Kitty location, 332 Kelley Street in Manchester. Reception attendees will be able to vote for “Best in Show” choices for both the adult and children’s show.

The submission fee is $25 for up to three pieces of artwork; this is a non-refundable jury fee. All artwork must be sent in a digital JPG format to rmccune@darbster.com no later than May 15, 2026 to allow ample time for jurying. 

The artist reception will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 5-8PM at 332 Kelley Street. Parking for the reception is on street parking.   

• Original Owned Artwork: By signing this form, you are stating that this artwork is yours and yours alone, is completely original and does not violate any copyright. If your work was based upon an existing photograph, make sure you have permission from the owner of the photo to use it.  

• Appropriate Mediums: Accepted artwork will be two-dimensional in nature and can be oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, original prints, pastels, charcoal, pencil, photography and/or mixed medium. 

• AI: Artwork generated by AI will not be accepted. 

• Digitally altered: Digital technology may be used to enhance an existing piece of artwork but cannot be used for the primary design. Photographs digitally altered must be labeled as such. 

• Hanging: All work must be ready to hang, with recessed eye hooks and braided wire. 

• Labeling: Work must be properly labeled on the back in this format:
  • Artist Name  
  • Medium
  • Title
  • Price  

• Drop off dates and times: After jurying has been completed, artists will be notified by email if their work was accepted. Artwork must be dropped off at Darbster Kitty, 332 Kelley St in Manchester on Saturday, May 30th and Sunday May 31st between the hours of 10-4pm.  

• Refunds: There are no refunds for entry fees, including if the work does not make it into the show, or artwork is not delivered on the above-mentioned dates and times for the show. 

• There is no storage of artwork. Please pick up artwork on Sunday, June 7th between the hours of 10-4pm. Artwork not picked up by 4pm on 6/7/26 will be considered a donation to the Darbster Foundation. 

• Denial of artwork: After jurying takes place, if the physical artwork is not in compliance for hanging, framing, or if any of the subject matter is considered inappropriate for the show, the Darbster employees, and/or Susanne Larkham have the right to refuse the work for the show. 

• Sales: This is a fundraising event. By acceptance into this event, you agree and understand that sales will be split, 70/30 with 30% of the sale being paid to and considered a donation to the Darbster Foundation.  

• Hold Harmless: All artwork will be handled with care, unfortunately accidents can happen. All artists hold Darbster Foundation and Darbster Kitty, as well as all Darbster employees, volunteers and juror Susanne Larkham harmless from any claim of damage or theft.   

• Waiver for Pictures: As this is a fundraiser, photos of the event may be taken for promotion and/or news coverage. By entering this event, you are giving permission for Darbster Foundation and Darbster Kitty to utilize photos of the entries for these purposes.  
• Children’s Art Show: Additionally, we will have a children’s art show (ages 2-12 years) at the same time. Artwork to be entered into the children’s show will be $5, and should be framed with a hanging wire as well as labeled with name, age, medium, title, and price.

Please contact Robin McCune, Development Director at rmccune@darbster.com for more information.  

 

Juror’s Bio 

Susanne Larkham is a New Hampshire–based pastel artist and educator whose work centers on light, color, and lived experience. Rooted in realism and shaped by memory and emotion, her paintings invite quiet reflection and a sense of recognition — moments where viewers feel both grounded and gently seen. 

Larkham holds a BS in Secondary Art and Math Education from Taylor University, and her lifelong commitment to learning and teaching continues to inform her practice. She is a Signature Artist with the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and a longtime docent and art educator at the Currier Museum of Art, where she has contributed more than 850 volunteer hours guiding others in close looking and visual inquiry.

Her work has been featured in regional, national, and international juried exhibitions, including the Anderson Museum of Art, the Bristol Art Museum, and the Attleboro Arts Museum. While accolades and exhibition history mark important milestones, Larkham is most interested in how her paintings settle into the rhythms of everyday life — and how they hold space for memory, tenderness, and reflection.

In addition to her studio practice, Larkham is the owner of Bellami Fitness and founder of On a Lark Fine Art, a small gallery space rooted in accessibility and connection. Whether teaching movement or painting, she approaches her work as a facilitator — creating the conditions for presence, curiosity, and meaningful experience. 

Larkham is based in Manchester. Along with her husband, Peter, they share their home with Polly, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and 3 special needs rescue kitties with CH–Cerebellar Hypoplasia: Avery, Lucy Alouette and Linus