June 2008
All-Media Membership Show
June 4 – July 7, 2008
Award(s): The Urquart Award, and Honorable Mention Awards.
Show Info: Opening Reception, Thursday, June 12, 6:30–8:00 pm, in the gallery. Awards presented at 7:00 pm.
496 entered, 116 accepted
Juror's Statement:
with Erica Fortwengler
Howard Paine has juried for The Art League on a number of occasions. "The Art League does a great job teaching, and building enthusiasm for the creation of art." He was pleased to find an exciting mix of work submitted. He strived to select a show that showcased the wide variety of work that he reviewed.
"I am drawn to color, action, abstraction, and works that depict human interest. Subject matter is important. I wanted to select work that portrayed the wide variety of subject matter submitted. Few individuals who come to see a show are going to be interested in the way in which paint is applied to paper or canvas, or other such technical aspects, but subject matter, the message is what’s important." Paine steered away from selecting works that depicted traditional, ‘clichÈd’ images that have been repeatedly appeared throughout art history.
"Having worked for National Geographic for 30 years as their art director, I have a particular interest in human interaction and education." Paine feels that, "the most important part of art is to communicate." Artists need to communicate what’s going on in the world around us, whether by rendering poverty, illness, images of wartime, or images of beauty. "I am interested in artwork that portrays the world – it’s complexity, confusion, and it’s beauty."
Paine selected "Spring Offering" by Diane Weiner as Best in Show, recipient of The Urquhart Award. "This piece is big and bold. I like the color. The image is compelling, and I have an affinity for the square format." The pieces to which Paine awarded Honorable Mentions were his other favorites in the show. "Abstract art has a liveliness, a mystery to it that is very appealing to me," states Paine. Several abstract works are among his ‘favorites.’ He selected "Decanter and Cloth," by Diane McClaugherty for it’s extraordinary technique. "Hibiscus" by Anna Shakeeva was selected for it’s detail, light, and ‘magical quality.’
Sample Work:
To view all of the images from the show, please click here.
