The Homecoming
February 5 - March 29, 2026

In June 2025, the New Bedford Art Museum marked its 30th anniversary with an exhibition that both investigated the rich history of locally produced visual art and celebrated the artists who have shaped it. Best of SouthCoast brought together works by 75 artists, spanning a wide range of media and forms and representing centuries of artistic production. The exhibition highlighted the many conditions that have made the region a fertile environment for artists—most notably, the role of patronage.

An essential component of a vibrant art ecosystem, The Homecoming is the first in a new series of exhibitions focused on the interests and collecting practices of local art patrons. This inaugural presentation offers an intentionally eclectic selection, assembled without a predetermined theme. Instead, it serves as a survey of the curiosities and preferences of eight generous local lenders. Future exhibitions in the series will explore themes including Modern and Contemporary Photography, Edo-period Japanese art, and maritime subjects.

Drawn exclusively from private collections on the South Coast, The Homecoming features exceptional works that have largely remained out of public view. Bringing together pieces by artists such as Käthe Kollwitz and Mary Cassatt, the exhibition highlights works that are both internationally recognized and locally held, yet rarely exhibited.

Thank you to Helen DeGroot, Molly Goodman, Leslie Lawrence, and Marcy Wintrub for their help in organizing the exhibition.