The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, has been gathering together as a congregation for over 200 years. As we work to build a more just world, we respectfully acknowledge that our physical building on Clapboard Ridge Road in Danbury, CT is on the traditional, unceded land ancestrally-connected to the Paugussett, Schaticoke, Pequonnock, and Wappinger People. Our roots are deep, and yet, of course, imperfect. In order to expand our land acknowledgment, we are creating an information display in our sanctuary and are hoping to highlight a work of art reflecting our theme of "Roots and Horizons" created by a local indigenous artist. We believe that one of the roles of the arts is to make the invisible, visible.

🪶 Call for Artwork: “Roots and Horizons”

Purpose:

We acknowledge that the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury in Connecticut, is located on the ancestral lands of the Paugussett, Schaghticoke, Pequannock and Wappinger people, who have stewarded this land for generations. We honor their past, present, and future, and we recognize their deep enduring connection to this place.

Project Overview:

In the spirit of this acknowledgment, we invite Native American artists to submit proposals for artwork to be exhibited in the fellowship hall of the Congregation for Roots and Horizons. We seek to uplift Native voices through art that celebrates, reflects, and reimagines Indigenous identity, heritage, experience, and relationship to the land.

Location: 

The location currently being considered can accommodate works of art anywhere from 48” x 48” to 60” x 60”. Here is a sense of the building and environment: https://uudanbury.org/about-us/location/rental/

Eligibility:

Open to artists who are enrolled members or documented descendants of federally or state-recognized Native American tribes. Preference given to a local artist.

Scope of Work:

Ideally, we are looking for a two-dimensional piece of artwork using any or all of the following mediums: painting, beadwork, digital art, mixed media, photography, textiles, and more. We might consider another medium or size for a really creative idea.

Theme:

We invite works across all media that express Native American cultural perspectives exploring themes of land, identity, resilience, renewal, heritage, or contemporary experiences. Submissions should explore personal, cultural, or environmental narratives that reflect Native experience and vision.

Timeline:

Application due: 6/15/26

Artist Notification: 8/1/26

Installation: 10/1/26

Exhibition: Mid-October (date TBD)

Commission:

The selected artist will receive commission of $5,000 (which includes materials and installation) and their work will be featured in the Congregation Fellowship Hall.

Selection Process:

We have a small committee with representation from the congregation, the indigenous community, and the art community. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, creativity, quality, aesthetics, and resonant with our Roots and Horizon theme.

Submission Requirements & How to Apply:

Please send submissions to suze@sagelead.com. Please include up to 5 images of your previous artwork (JPEG or PNG files, - minimum 300 dpi and 1500 pixels on the longest edge of the image, and cap file size at 30 MB maximum), an artist statement (max 300 words) describing a statement of interest, proposal or a brief description or preliminary rendering of your proposed artwork, and a short bio including tribal affiliation.

Contact:

For questions, please contact Rev. Suze Shaner-Brodax (congregation member) at suze@sagelead.com. We welcome inquiries regarding accessibility and cultural considerations. Visits to the site can be arranged.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, 24 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06810