Location: Loudoun House, 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY
Exhibition Dates: July 18 - September 12, 2025
Exhibition Reception: July 18, 2025
Deadline for Submissions: May 12, 2025
Artwork and Photograph Submission Form: https://form.jotform.com/243545146017150
Story and Oral History Submission Form: https://form.jotform.com/243575699853073
Selections Announcement: June 12, 2025
Artwork Drop-off: July 12, 2025  12-5pm
Artwork Pickup: September 13, 2025  12-5pm
Castlewood Story is a look into the history of the Loudoun House and the Castlewood neighborhood as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary Lexington's founding. The House, being of significant architectural interest and history for Lexington, will be celebrating its 175th anniversary. The exhibition will feature contemporary and historical artworks, information about the House and neighborhood, oral histories, and en plein air artworks made during sessions to be held during spring and summer of 2025. We are looking to create a collection of artwork, photographs, and information that tell the story of the House and those who have lived in it and next to it.

Originally built around 1850 on the outskirts of Lexington, the Loudoun House was a single family home built for Francis Key Hunt and designed by renowned New York-based architect Andrew Jackson Davis, most commonly referred to as A.J. Davis. As the city expanded and pieces of original estate were sold off and developed the context and cultural landscape changed as well. The House had two more owners after the Hunts and was sold to the City of Lexington sometime in the mid to late 1920s. While the House sat empty for a time, it eventually became a community center and the gymnasium behind it was built. It was a hub of activity for people in the neighborhood. The Lexington Art League took up residence in the mid-1980s and the cultural landscape of the House and neighborhood was changed again. 

This exhibition will be an exploration of this history of change and what learn the Loudoun House can be for the neighborhood in the future.
Eligibility:
  • Original artwork and photographs are open to Kentucky residents. Individually produced works and collaboratively produced works are acceptable, any media.
  • Artwork or photographs from personal collections, here meaning not created by the person submitting the artwork or photograph, are open to anyone in the contiguous 48 United States.
  • Oral histories and stories about the Loudoun House or Castlewood park neighborhood may be submitted by anyone anywhere. 

​Artwork and Photograph Submissions: Artists may submit up to five (5) total pieces for consideration. Selections will be made per piece submitted. 
  • If the artwork was created by the submitter, images must be labeled in the following format:   last name_first initial_title of piece
(ex. Smith_J_Peas in a Pod)
  • If the artwork is part of the submitters personal collection, images must be labeled in the following format:  submitters name_artist’s name_title of piece. It is okay if the artist's name is unknown or the artwork title unknown or does not have one; just put "Unknown" for that part.
        (ex: Dwayne Smith_Jasper Colorado_Loudoun by Moonlight)
  • Please keep image size to under 5Mb each. 
  • Audio/video files should be sent as .html links

Story and Oral History Submissions:  We are also accepting oral histories, stories, anecdotes, or any other information you may have about the Loudoun House or Castlewood Park neighborhood. You can submit video, audio recording, or a typed version of your story. If you know someone you think we should talk to or interview, please share this call with them. They can fill out the form, reach out to us by phone or email, or you can send their contact information to us, if they are ok with it, and we will reach out to them. 

Submissions must be received by 11:45 pm on May 12, 2025.

Submission does not guarantee inclusion in this exhibition. 

Accepted Artist Conditions: 

Delivery: Artists are required to deliver artwork to the Lexington Art League, 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY, 40505, on July 12th from 12-5pm. Early drop off can be arranged on a case by case basis.

Pickup: Artists picking up their artwork must do so on September 13th from 12-5pm. Any artwork not picked up within thirty (30) calendar days from the end of the exhibition becomes the property of the Lexington Art League.

Shipments: For artists who are shipping artwork, the artist is responsible for all shipping costs to and from the gallery. Please provide a return shipping label with shipped artworks. Return shipments will be in the mail no later than February 20th. 

Additional responsibilities of participating artists: 
  • An artist agreement or loan agreement will be sent upon acceptance, to be completed and returned before work will be accepted for exhibition. ​
  • Accepted artists will also be responsible for providing a formatted version of artwork labels. 
  • All accepted work must be ready to hang or display. Presentation of artwork must be taken into consideration, poor framing or incomplete displays may be declined. Poster frames are not accepted. Instructions must be included for any artworks requiring special handling or installation methods. Installation artworks must be installed by artists. *This is a salon style exhibition: artworks will be hung in close proximity and in stacked arrangements. 

Sales: Artists may choose to make their work available for sale. This is not a requirement. All sales will be managed by the Lexington Art League for a 30% commission of the sale price. Artworks from personal collections that are loaned will not be made available for sale.