Aug 23, 2016

Virginia is for Lovers & Art!

It's back! The Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition returns and features more fantastic works of art from some of the most talented artist. This annual competition is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the state. It showcases the diverse talent and craftsmenship of Virginia artists. Artworks vary in media including drawing, printmaking, painting, photography, crafts, watercolor, mixed media, and sculpture! View the Virginia Artists 2016 Juried Exhibition now through October 9 at The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center!

Meet the Juror

Jeffrey W. Allison, Juror is the Paul Mellon Collection Educator at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and a professional photographer. He holds a BA in photography and film from Virginia Intermont College and an MFA in photography from VCU.

The Juror included 102 artworks in all media by 101 artists, selected from 881 artworks submitted by 335 artists.

Juror’s Statement

“I’d like to thank James Warwick Jones and The Charles H. Taylor Art Center for inviting me to participate as juror for the Virginia Artists 2016 Juried Exhibition. It’s been an honor and a privilege to review a remarkably wide range of works from across the state and to then get to know the artists, at least a bit, through viewing the works hung for the exhibition. An overwhelming number of the submissions demonstrated a pursuit for excellence and were of very high quality and professionalism which made the process most difficult but also extraordinarily rewarding. While there are awards to be given, I want to make certain each artist featured in the exhibition knows how much their individual work contributes to a substantial show filled with insights, challenges and inspiration.

I want to congratulate Kristin Skees for her Best in Show award for Greg Henry. The artist hand knits a “Cozy” and enshrouds her portrait subject as he stands in the familiar place of his workshop. The completed image creates a space in which the tension between comfort and possibly oppression is keenly felt.

Ampofo-Anti’s large sculptural form recalls both ancient and contemporary designs in African art and building while also suggesting the futuristic. As the sculpture reaches up, a sense of strength and possibility seems to flow from its complex surfaces.

Glen McClure’s portrait of Mr. George Jones is a terrific example of excellence in technique that facilitates the viewer’s appreciation for the warmth and humanity of the subject. The photographer grants us a moment in which we can connect with Mr. Jones in a truly honest way.

The award of excellence, given to Julia and Robin Rogers for Architecture of the Mind, recognizes the combination of artistic and conceptual excellence in this innovative glass work.

The Realist Painting Award is for Tim O’Kane’s oil on wood painting, titled, The Dreaming Man. A remarkably realistic image with a gentle take on its subject.

The Awards for Distinction in each category celebrate the artist’s mastery of the medium and a certain eloquence that contributes to a unified whole.”

Congratulations to all of the participants in this year’s Virginia Artists 2016 Juried Exhibition!

Awards

Best in Show – Greg Henry, Photograph by Kristin Skees

First Place - Ganabadan, Clay by Ampofo-Anti

Second Place – Mr. George Jones, Photography by Glen McClure

Third Place – Charmed Once, Oil by Wayne Dodson

Award of Excellence – Architecture of the Mind, Glass by Robin and Julia Rogers

Realist Painting Award – The Dreaming Man, Oil by Tim O’Kane

Award of Distinction

Be/Attitude (Sebastian), Silverpoint by Barbara Hennig-Loomis

The Collector, Acrylic on Wood by Chris Semtner

Cibola, Photograph by Arthur R. Wycoff