The Stamford Art Association has presented the Faber Birren Color Award Exhibit at its Townhouse Gallery, 39 Franklin Street, Stamford CT since 1980. The exhibit honors Faber Birren, world renowned color theorist and former Stamford, CT resident. He wrote extensively on color and published 40 books and over 250 articles on the subject. His color theory work was used by the Nave and the Walt Disney Company. This competition is the only artistic event devoted exclusively to the use of color. The jurors for this exhibit are usually chosen from major NYC museums and organizations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MOMA, and Southeby's.

Faber Birren, one of the most prominent scholars in the field of the theory of color, spent most of his career studying the influence of color on art, the workplace, and human psychology. His work, which was donated to Yale University’s Art and Architecture Library, is now referred to as Birren color theory.

In 1934 he established his own company and worked as an industrial color consultant, advising clients on the psychological effects of color on safety, employee morale, productivity and sales. His recommendations included changing wall and interior colors to reduce visual fatigue, and using bright colors on machinery to reduce accidents. DuPont, Monsanto, and General Electric were among his clients as well as the military.

The Faber Birren Color Award Exhibit pulls in artists internationally and is held for 6+ weeks annually. 40 artists are selected by the juror and their work is displayed at the Townhouse Gallery and online. Cash awards, including $1000 first prize funded by his family, are awarded. Accepted artists will be listed here the week of October 14, 2025. Faber Entry Form

Madeleine Pierpont spearheads the Web3 and Emerging Technologies area at the Museum of Modern Art. Her recent work includes SOUND MACHINES, an exhibition exploring the world of sound through new technologies. The show features Yoko Ono, Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, 0xDEAFBEEF, and American Artist & Tommy Martinez.

Prior to her work at MoMA, she was a member of the the team at the Lumen Prize for Art and Technology and also worked at Christies and Sotheby's. Additionally she has spoken at institutions including Harvard University, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Basel Miami, Beeple Studios, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and MoMA PS1.

Juror, Madeleine Pierpont

It was a pleasure and a privilege to review this year's submissions for the Faber Birren Color Award. Faber Birren believed that color is both a language and an instrument - one that shapes perception, evokes emotion, and meaningfully influences how we move through the world. That spirit was alive in these entries, with artists approaching color in a wide range of ways: as structure, as narrative, as rhythm, or as atmosphere.

Each of the awardees demonstrated a distinct and compelling relationship with color, whether using it to anchor form, to create unexpected chromatic moments, or to build depth through thoughtful layering. These works stood out because they moved beyond beauty or technique - both of which are important and compelling - into the realm of experimentation and discovery. They honor the vocabulary of color in today’s visual landscape.

A huge thank you to Stamford Art Association and to all of those who submitted, sharing a range of approaches and ideas in this year's exhibition. Thank you,

If you are interested in viewing the COLOR SHOW GALLERY exhibit or purchasing a piece of art,

The Stamford Art Association is pleased to annouce the accepted 2025 artists and award winners for the 45th Annual Faber Birren National Color Award Show.