RIDGEFIELD — In an effort to help promote the careers of artists living in Connecticut and select counties of New York, The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists have announced the “Third Annual Emerging Artists Exhibition.” The exhibition will open July 30, and will feature the work of artists who have yet to have a solo exhibition at an established gallery.

The Aldrich Museum, a long-time advocate for emerging artists and issues in contemporary art, is embarking in this successful collaboration with Ridgefield Guild of Artists, which has a history or performing the arts in the community through classes and exhibitions.

Entries for participation in this exhibition must be postmarked by May 15. Submissions will be reviewed by the following selection committee of art world professionals: Debra Browne, the former director of Cannondale Gallery (1995-1999); Gail Gregg, a New York-based artist and freelance writer; Jessica Hough, an assistant curator at The Aldrich Museum; Nash Hyon, a Connecticut-based artist and curator for the two previous “Emerging Artists” exhibitions; and Megan Luke, the public relations coordinator for The Aldrich Museum.

Participation in this exhibition is open to all artists residing in Connecticut and the Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam counties in New York. Works in all media will be considered; video must be submitted in VHS format only.

Winners from previous “Emerging Artists” exhibitions have gone on to establish their careers and garner wider recognition from their colleagues involved in the arts. From the 1998 exhibition, winner Steve DiGiovanni has since exhibited at The Aldrich Museum and was awarded a grant this year from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. Tertuliano Delgado, also a 1998 winner, received a 1999 New Works Grant from En Foco, a New York-based national visual arts organization devoted to promoting the work of Latino, African, Asian and Native American photographers.

For more information and application guidelines, contact the Ridgefield Guild of Artists at 203/438-8863 as soon as possible.