Common Ground
Upcoming Exhibition
The McCoy Art Gallery at Merrimack College February 12 - April 11, 2027The McCoy Art Gallery at Merrimack College is proud to present Common Ground an exhibition featuring artists from the Copley Society of Art (Co|So), the nation’s oldest nonprofit arts association. This is a juried for inclusion exhibition, meaning all artists who submit are guaranteed one piece in the exhibit.
More than a group exhibition, this presentation marks the beginning of a new relationship between two institutions committed to supporting artists and strengthening creative communities. Through this partnership, Merrimack College and Co|So seek to learn from one another, create new opportunities for engagement, and foster meaningful connections between established professional artists and the next generation of creative voices.
Founded in 1879 by graduates of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Co|So emerged from a simple but enduring idea: that artists are stronger when they remain connected to one another. Established by students seeking to continue their creative growth beyond the classroom, Co|So has spent nearly a century and a half cultivating a community built upon mentorship, collaboration, and shared artistic ambition. Common Ground represents the continuation of that founding while being one of many opportunities to celebrate Co|So’s 150th anniversary.
That story resonates deeply with Merrimack College today. As the College enters a period of continued growth and innovation in the arts, our students stand at a similar moment in their own creative journeys. Like the founders of Co|So, they are preparing to carry their artistic practices beyond the classroom and into the broader world. For Merrimack students, Co|So represents more than an important chapter in New England’s artistic history. It stands as a living example of what an enduring artistic community can achieve.