Juried Art Show

Thought I would give you an update on the Juried Art Show that I entered. Each artist could enter up to three works for an entry fee and at least one work would be in the show. I selected three of my works and talked my husband into entering three of his paintings. The artist's reception and awards ceremony was last night. We knew we had not won anything but wanted to see how many of our works were in the show and who won so we went to the reception.

It was open to media of all kinds and all kinds were represented. There were oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etchings, photographs, graphite (mine were the only graphite works), sculpture of all materials, mixed media, cloth (textile), and digital. There were wonderful landscapes, seascapes, lots of animal work, florals, still lifes, etc.

Some of the work just blew me away with the talent it represented, much of the work I just couldn't relate to as it was abstract. There was a wonderful landscape that looked like you could just walk into it and a still life of fruit that had grapes with moisture on them that looked like you could pluck the fruit from the canvas.

Anyway two of my works were hung; the double portrait of my husband and son entitled "A Good Time" that I marked NFS, and the work of the wheelbarrow and pitchfork entitled "Ready To Work" that I did place a price on. My husband had one of his paintings hung that was entitled "Nightfall."

It was time for the announcements and all artists gathered around. The gentleman making the announcement spoke of the juror and her work as a local artist. Her name was Tracy Marshall and I had previously checked out her website. He said she had two criterion for judging. 1. New, fresh ideas and an original way of creating art. and 2. Technique. There was 4 money prizes and 8 honorable mentions. All honorable mentions except for two were abstract works of art. The third place winner was an abstract wooden sculpture with nails sticking out everywhere. There was a cane bottom chair in the center with a broken jagged piece of wood pushed through the seat. The second place winner was a piece of pottery and that was a nice piece of pottery. The first place winner was an abstract painting and the Best in Show was a gourd sculpture painted with gauche. I have to admit that I just do not understand abstract, modern art even though I have taken a college course in it. The works that blew me away with their talent did not even receive honorable mentions.

After hearing the criteria and having previously checked out her website it went pretty much the way I thought it would go. If anyone cares to look this is her website: http://www.tjmartisticdesigns.com/index.html. I believe my husband was initially disappointed but I pointed out to him the work that was selling was not the work selected for the awards but the other, more representational, realistic work.

Anyway they said they had the most entries this year that they had ever had with over 100 works entered and approximately 70 works were hung in the show. (Iwas pleased with where my two works were hung, right above the visitors sign-in book). Also, the announcer said that in his eyes everyone entered was a winner because it takes a certain amount of courage to put your work on the line and have it judged.

I learned a couple of things from this experience. A lot depends on the juror and the type of art that appeals to them so I did not take it personally that I did not receive anything. A different juror would probably have different award winners. Also now that I have entered one I will enter more. All exposure is good exposure. Later last night I asked my husband if he would enter more shows and he said probably.

It was a fun, learning experience and our work will be on view for the entire month. Who knows what may come of that!