Art in the Library

Quabbin Days Photo Contest

Celebrate Quabbin Days with a community photography contest highlighting the beauty of the Quabbin Region!

The Contest runs from October 1-November 30, 2026. All submissions must be received by midnight, November 30, 2026.
Entrants may enter up to three photographs, submitted through https://www.quabbindays.org/photocontest. Full rules available here.

Photos will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, how they feature unique and native plants, animals, and ecosystems to the Quabbin Region, and on showcasing conservation impact.

Photography contest is held in conjunction with Quabbin Days, a celebration of the natural beauty, history, culture and communities of the Quabbin Region.

Art in the Library

The Library hosts monthly exhibits of local artists on the main floor of the library and regular arts programming. We accept applications from artists and groups who want to share their work with the Belchertown community.

The art exhibit hanging system for the Clapp Memorial Library was funded in part by a donation from members of the Quabbin Art Association and in part by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

How to Apply for an Exhibit

The Quabbin Art Association curates four of the monthly exhibits each year. The other months are available to reserve through the application process.

1. Read the Art Exhibit Policy (PDF) carefully.

2. Prepare your Application and 3 full color images of your work.

3. Submit a completed Application by email or at the CML Circulation Desk.

Art Meets Poetry

Celebrating National Poetry Month 2026
The Quabbin Art Association presents: ART meets Poetry
April 1st through April 30th

Six pieces of fine art, donated by QAA members Darlene Bergeron-Burns, Carrie Boudreau, Angelina Fleury, Lisa Goldberg, Bev Phaneuf, and Deborah Sacon, will be on display throughout the month of April at the Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA. Poets and writers are invited to view the artwork and compose a poem in response to a selected piece of art. All poetry entries must be original and unpublished, and all entries must be submitted to the library by 5 pm on April 30th. Each entry must include the person’s name, e-mail, phone number, mailing address, and title of the poem being submitted.

National Poetry Month, inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, is the largest literary celebration in the world.

Quabbin Art Association, founded in 2016, provides education, support, and opportunity for local artists, and promotes community interest and appreciation in the visual arts. For more information, visit www.quabbinartassociation.com.

Poetry Contest

Six pieces of fine art, donated by member artists of the Quabbin Art Association, will be on display at the Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA.

Poetry Criteria

All entries must be original and unpublished
Include the writer’s name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and title of the poem
Only one poetry entry per person, a poem may not be submitted for more than one work
Submission deadline is noon on April 30th.

Winning Entries
Each artist will select a winning poem that best resonates with their artwork. Winning poets will be notified by May 5th, and awarded their prize artwork at the Quabbin Art Association general meeting at 7pm, Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at the St. Francis Parish Center, 12 Park Street, Belchertown, MA. Winning poems will be on display at the Clapp Memorial Library from May 8th thru May 20th

ViewFinder

ViewFinder: Belchertown Nature Photography program is an all-ages, community-wide nature and arts program to foster an appreciation for the beauty of Belchertown, explore the rich natural sites that make it unique, and grow skills in capturing what you see along the way.

Workshops for all ages throughout April and May are a place to learn on an adventure led by Belchertown-based photography educators and develop a portfolio of pics to submit to the ViewFinder photo contest, due May 30.

Awardees across age groups and categories will have their work exhibited at the Clapp Memorial Library throughout July, with a celebration of awardees at the exhibition opening on July 1. Start collecting your photos and read more here!