NAA 2010 Members' Winter Juried Show - Part II
February 12th - March 7th
Acrylic, Oil, Sculpture, Fine Craft & Printmaking.
There were 214 entries from 131 artists. 134 were accepted.
Juror: Marc Mitchell, a Boston based painter who has held positions at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Boston University. Since 2007, he has been the Director Ad Interim at the Boston University Art Gallery (BUAG). He holds a BFA in Painting from BU and his work has been shown nationally.
Juror’s Overall Comments: Art holds a unique position within our society - one that a viewer does not need to have any prior knowledge about a subject to be transformed by what is in front of them. In fact, there is the common story in which someone is standing in front of a work of art, and without knowing the reason, find themselves overwhelmed by emotion. I believe this can be traced to a very simple fact: Art is a byproduct of the world that surrounds us. The ultimate goal of any artist is to adequately articulate a particular experience, whether it is the view from a specific point in the landscape to commentary on social injustice.
When playing the role of curator or critic, one is very careful to review each work without bias and carefully determine which artworks most successfully communicate a specific message. It was my challenge to select work that not only fulfilled the criteria above, but also accurately reflected the diverse media that was submitted by the applicants. I was overwhelmed by the variation of the work being produced by the artists, which ranged from the observed to the conceptual. Regardless if the work was figurative, abstract, or non-representational all of the artists demonstrated mastery, which is clearly evident in their work.
Awards:
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Mary Alice Arakelian Memorial Award for Best of Show $100
Artist: Elizabeth Pogor
Town: North Dover, MA
Title: Inside Out
Media: Oil
“Inside Out” is a painterly tour de force. The artists’ confidence is apparent in every brush stroke, scrape, and smudge. Ms. Pogor has created a lovely picture that seems to morph in front of your eyes and challenges the viewer to visually define every inch of the painting. Those who are willing to spend time with the painting will be rewarded with the pleasures of experiencing a fantastic abstract painting.
Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Award for Acrylic $25
Artist: Phil McCurdy
Town: Ogunquit, ME
Title: Tide in the Gap
Media: Acrylic on gessoboard
“Tide in the Gap” harks back to the great tradition of Maine seascapes and the American modernist Marsden Hartley (who often made the coast his subject). When you first look at this painting you immediately notice that thick impasto, but slowly you start to realize the stones steal the show. After a while you begin to lose yourself in the “gap”, which is a lovely experience.
Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank Award for Oil $25
Artist: Robin Thornhill
Town: Danville, NH
Title: Meditative MomentMedia: Oil on masonite
“Meditative Moment” is a small, but wonderful treat. The artists’ use of “glazing and scumbling” becomes a delight for the eyes. Just like a late Rembrandt painting– up close the picture is a series of scuffs and marks, but from a distance the paintings unfolds into a gorgeous New England seascape.
Newburyport Area Industrial Development Foundation Award for Sculpture $25
Artist: Gary Rathmell
Town: Newton, NH
Title: Untitled
Media: Fabricated steel
“Untitled” employs wonderful contours and harsh angles to convey both stability and motion. The artists’ hard work in buffing the steel creates a lovely patina that begs viewers to investigate.
Strem Chemical Award for Printmaking $25
Artist: Mary Pollak
Town: Ipswich, MA
Title: On the Merrimac III
Media: Monotype
“On the Merrimac III” is a lovely monotype that utilizes the medium to its fullest potential. As with any good monotype, the process is evident throughout all areas of the print: the tiny inlet, bushes, trees on the horizon, and elsewhere. The artist also was successful in capturing the wonderful light that is reflected off of the water.
Sam Sargent Award for General Excellence $25
Artist: Pam Perras
Town: Wakefield, MA
Title: “Waiting”
Media: Oil
When I first saw “Waiting” I immediately recalled a lovely exhibition of Vermeer at the Prado in Spain. Perhaps it was the way the artist captured the morning light pouring over the woman standing in the window. After further contemplation, I feel that this painting is a closer to one of Richard Diebenkorn’s interiors. The simplified shapes, bouncing light, and the use of painterly marks. This is a wonderful picture that keeps very good company.
H. Patterson Hale, Jr. Charitable Foundation Award for Fine Crafts $25
Artist: Nancy Powers
Town: Newburyport, MA
Title: Necklace (Australian Opal)
Media: Forged Sterling Silver and Opal
This exquisite necklace manages to be both delicate and robust. The curved forged sliver creates a very elegant pattern, but also highlights the material. Hanging from the chain you will find a glowing opal housed in a wonderful steel design. This necklace would be a wonderful addition to any woman’s collection.
Honorable Mention
Artist: Dannielle Genovese
Town: Kingston, NH
Title: “Autumn”
Media: Monotype
Honorable Mention
Artist: Joan Hancock
Town: Newburyport, MA
Title: “Golden Sunset”
Media: Oil
Honorable Mention
Artist: Phil Cusumano
Town: Gloucester, MA
Title: “Dory”
Media: Oil
Honorable Mention
Artist: Sandy Jenkins
Town: Newburyport, MA
Title: “Garden by the Sea”
Media: Oil