Thank you to our judge, Debra Keirce!
Best in Show:
Pal, Andorra a gouache painting by Christian Rzyski (Belgium)
2nd Place:
Siesta an oil painting by Irina Kouznetsova (Canada)
3rd Place:
The Passing of Winter a watercolor painting by Lynn Ponto-Peterson (Arkansas)
Honorable Mention:
Sea Breezes is an oil on ivorine painting by Markissia Touliatos (Florida)
Best Watercolor/Gouache:
The Long Withered Grass is a gouache on vellum painting by Debby Faulkner-Stevens (England)
Best Oil/Acrylic:
Life is Good is an oil painting by Carol Rockwell (Florida)
Best Drawing:
Puppy Love is a graphite drawing by Karen Romine (West Virginia)
Best Graphic:
Peace a mixed media painting by Sherri A. Trial (Pennsylvania)
Best Sculpture:
Way to Go is a bronze sculpture by Cathy Kuzma (Montana)
Best Other Media:
Desert Gathering is encaustic beeswax by Carol Lopez (New Mexico)
Best Landscape/Architecture:
Far Away Star is an oil painting by Clifford Bailey (Colorado)
Best Person:
Open Air Library is a colored pencil by Melissa M. Nece (Florida)
Best Birds/Animals:
Afternoon Elegance is an oil painting by Sandra LaFaut (Michigan)
Best Still Life/Floral:
Five in a Row an oil painting by Chrysoula Argyros (South Africa)
Best Abstract:
An Ode to Jean Dunand casein and eggshell by Peggy Morse (North Carolina)
Best Other Subject:
Little Jonah an acrylic on wood by Wanda Torres (France)
People's Choice Award: (note - this award is from votes of over 100 collectors that have visited the show)
End of Summer Blues an oil painting by Luann Houser (Indiana)
Judging an art exhibit is an honor that requires experiences and knowledge shared in a way that promotes the arts and encourages artists to continue creating. There are no right or wrong considerations. There are only those the judge considers a priority. Here is my rubric for judging art exhibitions.
IMPACT
Are the abstractions bold and inviting? Is it interesting?
MESSAGE
Is there a clear sense of what I, as the viewer, am feeling?
CREATIVITY
Did the artist put their own spin on it?
PRESENTATION
Is there beauty and professionalism in the way the work displays?
THE EXPERIENCE
Is the experience of the viewer transformative? Does it make me think?
Did the artist take risks and maybe grow in the creation of this piece?
TECHNICAL
Is it well executed?
Is it a good balance of design, graphics, abstraction, realism, representationalism?
Is it more than just a copy of reference materials? Did the artist alter parts of reality to create art that reflects their unique style?
Since this is a miniature show where detail and tight rendering are prized, are the elements of true miniature art present?
Every judge will have their own rubric, but this is the one that has worked for me over the years. It can be applied to all media and genres. When I view a show through these filters, the award winners always stand out above the rest. Still, with all the beautiful art in the world, judging shows is never easy. - Debra Keirce
