February 2026
ValleyCAST, the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services, is hosting its 13th Annual Art Palette Contest at the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery, 50 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville.
This yearly contest invites artists, crafters, and makers of all ages and abilities to transform ordinary wood paint palettes into beautiful works of art. The palettes are then hung together on the gallery walls creating a beautiful and inspiring exhibit of combined community spirit and lighthearted competition for everyone to enjoy. Many of the participants enter the competition year after year, making moreand-more elaborate works of art each time, to compete for the people’s choice awards and accompanying cash prizes to the delight of gallery patrons.
“This annual exhibit truly exemplifies our inclusive ValleyCAST mission,” says Cristi Collari, the Director of ValleyCAST and curator of the Heritage Gallery. “Each year, participants of all ages and abilities bring back the most spectacular palettes. I keep thinking they will run out of ideas, but every year the ingenuity of the participants is simply amazing to see hung together on the Gallery walls.”
This year the exhibition/ competition begins with a wine and cheese opening reception on Thursday March 5, from 5–7 pm. Gallery guests vote for their favorite palettes in three age categories, adult 20 and up, teen 19 and under, and children 12 and under. Voting closes on April 3 with winners announced on April 8. The exhibit comes down on April 17.
This year is also special as Collari is retiring and the new ValleyCAST Coordinator, David Wolfe, will be co-curating this year’s exhibit.
“I am excited to be part of curating this exhibit because it is so special to the community. I have seen a couple of palettes already and I am amazed at the level of creativity and imagination,” remarks Wolfe.
For more information about the contest visit: openskycs.org/events and to see photo albums of past winners visit: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyCAST/photos_albums
ValleyCAST fosters a creative and engaged community in the Historic Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of all people with and without disabilities. ValleyCAST is the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services and together we believe in the power of community. Open Sky supports individuals facing complex challenges in Central Mass to achieve their definition of wellness and pursue the opportunities and relationships that are meaningful to them. We help them see beyond what they thought was possible to find their open sky.
To learn more about ValleyCAST and Open Sky visit: www.openskycs.org.