Ellarslie Open XXVIII June 2, 2010

During the early years of the museum, the focus was on acquiring items to expand the decorative arts collection. Museum director Ben Whitmire (1978-1988) changed the focus to include temporary exhibitions of contemporary art with an emphasis on Trenton area artists. In 1982, he started the Ellarslie Open to encourage local artists to submit their work for judging and display Since then, the Trenton City Museum has displayed the work of nearly five hundred local and regional artists, many selected on the basis of work they submitted to the Ellarslie Open. Today, the Ellarslie Open has become a significant exhibition in its own right, drawing on the work of professional artists from allover the tri-state region and beyond, while encouraging and recognizing emerging artists.