For nearly three decades, summer in Southwestern Vermont has carried with it a familiar and beloved tradition: the return of sculpture to the streets, pathways and public spaces of North Bennington and beyond.
This year, the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show is ushering in one of its most exciting seasons yet, one that expands both its reach and its legacy.
The public is invited to a free, family-friendly Opening Reception and Outdoor Party celebrating the 29th season on Saturday, June 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vermont Arts Exchange campus, located at 48 Main Street, North Bennington, VT.
The event will mark the unveiling of a new selection of sculptures installed throughout North Bennington, the grounds of Bennington Museum and the Downtown Bennington Riverwalk, while also introducing a major milestone for public art in the region.
Public Art, All Year Long
The biggest update for 2026 is simple, but transformative: Bennington will now have year-round public art.
For the past 27 years, the traditional exhibition period ran from June through November. Beginning this season, NBOSS will continue that core June-to-November exhibition while introducing select works that will remain on view from June to June, accessible from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
The expanded timeline is intended to make Bennington an even stronger destination for public arts throughout every season, from summer strolls and autumn foliage to winter walks and spring rediscovery.
A Community Celebration
The opening reception has long been one of the most anticipated arts gatherings of the summer, and this year continues that tradition with an atmosphere that is as much about people as it is about sculpture.
Live music will fill the campus, with Beard & Glasses headlining the evening alongside a Folk Rock opening act by James Levin.
Families can enjoy hands-on creative experiences aboard the Vermont Arts Exchange Art Bus, which will offer children’s activities throughout the event.
The NBOSS merchandise tent will debut this year’s exclusive shirt, with proceeds supporting the volunteer-run organization.
As always, the beloved tradition of free hot dogs and beverages returns, with Indian food also available for purchase.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of the evening remains the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.
This year’s participants are traveling from across Vermont and New England, as well as from New Jersey, Tennessee, California, Florida and major cities including Boston, Chicago and New York City.
A Regional Arts Tradition
Widely recognized as the second-longest-running outdoor sculpture show in New England, and unofficially the seventh longest-running in the nation, NBOSS has become one of Southern Vermont’s defining cultural traditions.
The range of work on display continues to reflect that ambition.
Visitors can expect sculptures in steel, bronze, cast iron, wood, stone and concrete, alongside reclaimed metals, glass, fiberglass, mosaics, terracotta, natural fibers and found objects.
The result is a striking exhibition that feels both site-responsive and deeply varied in scale and material.
The 2026 exhibition will once again extend across multiple curatorial sites.
North Bennington will be co-curated by Matthew Perry, Executive Director of the Vermont Arts Exchange, Ahmad Yassir, NBOSS director, and a newly introduced curatorial intern from Bennington College, while the Bennington Museum site will be curated by Jamie Franklin, the museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions.
Downtown Bennington’s Riverwalk installation returns for its third consecutive year in partnership with Better Bennington Corporation’s Downtown Design Committee.
Art as Community
More than an exhibition, NBOSS has become a symbol of resilience, volunteerism, regional partnerships and the enduring strength of the creative community in Bennington County.
With expanded access, mentorship opportunities and year-round visibility, the 2026 season represents a bold step forward.
For visitors, residents, students and artists alike, it is an invitation to experience public art not as an occasional event, but as part of everyday life.Additional information and exhibition updates are available at nbossvt.com.
