Women Contemporary Artists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kellogg Gallery

Women Contemporary Artists (WCA) is an established organization of women in the visual arts based in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties. Their mission is to provide visibility, support and inspiration to women artists. Founded in 1984, a group of twenty women artists in the region developed a plan to form a group to encourage other women artists in their artistic journeys. This talented group of women artists has continually grown each year and now has more than 150 regional members.

The work submitted for this exhibition was quite pleasing with a broad spectrum of approached in mediums and concepts. Some pieces were created using great facility, and it was quite evident that years of practice had gone into mastering the techniques, while others were more explorative and vibrated with the energy of the artistic adventure. What I found most delightful about this show is the creativity and varied approaches to artmaking. I chose to consider color expression, texture both 3D and 3D, compositional organization, value contrast, creativity and originality, narrative, and technical merit, as my criteria.

I was impressed and inspired by all of the work presented and I truly appreciate the opportunity to act as juror for this exhibition. Thank you.

Juror, Alexander J. Snyder

First Place: Mid Century Modern, Yvonne Posa

The choice of first place proved as difficult as the others, but there was one piece that continued drawing me back: a watercolor painting called “Mid Century Modern”. There are several qualities in this painting that I found compelling. The complimentary color palette of blue and orange is attractive, and activates the composition with the focal point of the blue bedspread in the lower left balanced with the pops of blue in the picture frames on the back wall. The interplay of light and shadow in the room is well done, particularly conveying the texture and folds on the pillows, and the bright cast light on the floor which enlivens the space and acts as a directional line pointing us back up into the composition. Beyond the artistic and technical skills used in this painting, the thing that kept bringing me back to this pieces was the story it is inviting us to consider. Yes it is a warm and inviting space, but who’s room is it? Is this the guest bedroom in someone’s home, ready for a long awaited friend’s visit? Did it belong to someone who is no longer with us? The space inside is simple, cozy and welcoming, while the large window beckons us to venture outside. It was this sense of intrigue compiled with the skill of the painter that caused me to choose this painting to receive first place.

 

Second Place: Timeless, Peg Green

There were a number of great fabric and textile pieces included in this collection, but the bold red portrait titled “Timeless” was selected for second place. This artwork garnered my attention because of the complexity of the patterns, rhythm, color and texture, and the flowing sculptural aspects of this piece.

 

 

 

 

Third Place: Alternate Pathways, Janice Newman

Third place was awarded to “Alternate Pathways”. This painting got my attention because of the color use and the value structure of the piece. I think that both of these qualities work in concert with each other to draw the viewer’s eye through the landscape.