This year’s juror was Dr. Carl Gombert. Dr. Gombert was born in Brimfield, Ohio, in 1959. He started taking painting lessons at the age of 14 with money he earned delivering newspapers. He completed a BFA in drawing from the University of Akron and an MFA in painting from Kent State University. He worked as a stagehand before earning a PhD in interdisciplinary fine arts at Texas Tech University. His work has appeared in more than 350 exhibitions across the United States and international destinations and his work is in numerous museum and university collections. Since 1993 he has taught painting, drawing, and art history at Maryville College. Website: gombertart.com/
JUROR’S STATEMENT
It is an honor to have been asked to serve as juror for this year’s exhibition. I am grateful for the opportunity to have seen the wide selection of strong, interesting works that make up this show. And, seeing them in a “sneak preview” was kind of fun and exciting.
This show rewards viewers in many different ways. There are many examples of technical mastery and expertise. There is a fine command of composition and numerous examples of innovation and experimentation. There are works suffused with humor, works that tug at our emotions, and works that evoke a sense of awe for the majesty of the world around us. There are works upholding and continuing time-honored traditions and works that are trying new ideas.
I would like to thank each and every artist who has put work into this great show. Thank you for your time and effort. Thank you for your ideas. Thank you for the many other gifts that you have shared with these works.
2D JURIED AWARD
Mary Ann Royer
Fantasy View
Dr. Gombert’s remarks: “Deciding whether or not innovative or experimental technique is somehow better than stunning technical expertise is a daunting task. It is also somewhat subjective and maybe futile; and there are a number of pieces in this show that rightfully claim to a prize.
“But, after long and careful consideration (and lots of arguing in my head) I have chosen Mary Ann Royer’s watercolor Fantasy View. Delicate, delightful color, a perfect balance or careful drawing and composition with spontaneous marks, and an intriguing mix of known and a sense of mystery make this piece a thing of beauty in the eye of this beholder.”
3D JURIED AWARD
Lori Demange
Happy Jacket
Dr. Gombert’s remarks: “I don’t always pay a lot of attention to titles, but sometimes they really do compliment a piece perfectly. Such is the case with Lori Demange’s Happy Jacket. The jacket seems happy, I imagine it will make anyone who wears it happy, and it makes me happy to see it.
“The color is beautiful, the designs are interesting, and the form really engages and activates space, especially as I imagine it moving around on a human body. I also really like the subtle interplay between the necessary symmetry of the garment and the asymmetry of the decoration.”
PHOTOGRAPHY JURIED AWARD
Richard Coda
Four black-and-white photos
Dr. Gombert’s remarks: “All of the photographic work in the show is technically excellent, and the works show are an impressive range of viewpoints and compositional sophistication.
“Richard Coda has four stunning black-and-white photos capturing similar subjects and points of view. Each displays a strong grid- like composition and masterful handling of value and texture. At first, I was concerned to pick the ‘best’ of the four but realized that together they represent a strong, coherent, and beautiful body of work. Strong abstract compositions coupled with straightforward ‘facts’ of texture and detail coupled with a gentle sense of nostalgia make these works extremely compelling.”
VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Kelly Johnson Sabin
Clyde
Kelly Johnson Sabin’s gentle horse was chosen by the most visitors to the show as their favorite entry. Kelly was awarded a gift certificate from our generous prize sponsor, Jerry’s Artarama, Knoxville.
In addition, there were three awards of merit, with recipients earning a year’s membership in the guild. Awards were based on people’s choice voting.
Judy Lavoie for Puppy Love
Robert Vranek for Hiawasee Sunset
Mary Ann Royer for Sunday Morning
THANK YOU to all the artists who showed their work. This year’s show featured 290 works of art.
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS to all the committee chairs and volunteers who contributed their time and efforts to present such a successful event.
THANK YOU for the support of our community viewing audience. Attendance over the three days totaled 1,552 visitors.