Congratulations to the accepted artists in the Sixth Annual Eastern West Virginia Juried Art Exhibit. Juror Gary Bergel selected 31 works out of more than 60 submitted. Gary writes:

Viewing more than 60 works submitted by Eastern West Virginia artists was a delightful and rewarding summer experience.  I gained a deeper appreciation for the wide spectrum of innovative visual art being produced in this region.  As a multidisciplinary “teaching artist” I have a “broad eye.”  I let it come into play.  After an initial viewing of the work submitted, I rejoiced.  I saw that it would be possible to not only curate an exhibit of strong works, but also to include a broad selection of quality work – to be more inclusive than exclusive – of artists, media, imagery, styles, approaches and expressions.

I then spent some hours with the submitted works – comparing between multiple entries, enlarging and studying detail and technique.  I am thankful that the quality of most of the digital images permitted such scrutiny – and enjoyment.

After considering the strength of each piece in terms of originality, impact and appeal, proficiency with the medium, and technical skill, I selected 26 two dimensional and five three dimensional works, each of which I believe has merit to “stand on its own.”  Gallery space parameters prevented the inclusion of more than one work by a number of artists.

This Eastern West Virginia 2018 exhibition exhibits “you!”  It ranges from folk and detailed representational work, to surreal fantasy and social comment, a bit of portraiture, bold pure abstraction, and delightful mixed media assemblage.  Painting and graphic media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, woodblock printing, and digital electronic.  Non-utilitarian wood and clay sculpture is represented.  Photography spans both black and white and color.

I look forward to meeting you at the Reception and Awards Presentation on Sunday, September 9 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.  Hopefully you will be able to attend, mingle with your gifted peers, and return to your studio encouraged and inspired to “create more.”  Thank you for investing your time, talent and resources to demonstrate that the Arts are alive and flourishing in the Eastern Panhandle.

Gary Bergel

The exhibit will be on display September 5 – October 6 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116  North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri, 11-5, Sat 11-4.

There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, September 9 from 2-4pm at the Berkeley Art Works.

The full list of accepted work is after the break.

Nathan	Altier	Hedgesville	Extraction
Nathan	Altier	Hedgesville	Topsail Family Portrait
Judith	Becker	Hedgesville	Plum Tree Variagated
Mary Jo	Bennett	Hedgesville	Captive Audience
Abby	Bernier	Martinsburg	American
Laura	Chalupka	Berkeley springs	The Time Traveler
Bruce	Chandler	Harpers Ferry	Afloat
Pat	Donohoe	Shepherdstown	Networked
Ellen	Hardesty	Harpers Ferry	Frozen in Time
David	Heatwole	Martinsburg	Egyptian Daydream
Heather	Hendry	Bunker Hill	Flight of Fancy
Jon	Howard	Hedgesville	Seeds and sun
Doug	Kinnett	Shepherdstown	Conversation at the Mouth of the Cave
Denise	Kupiszewski	Shepherdstown	Tattoo Pony
Denise	Kupiszewski	Shepherdstown	Blue Cat On Ottoman
Kirsten	Lee	Kearneysville	The Gifting Tree
Kirsten	Lee	Kearneysville	#notoxicrockwool
Jeanne	McClure	Kearneysville	The Falls
Charles	Mortensen	Martinsburg	Homage to Joyce Scott
Lannie	Mullenax	Martinsburg	Dogwood
Alice A	Newton	Bakerton	The Jetty
Alice A	Newton	Bakerton	Contemplation
Judith	Pharr	Shepherdstown	Freedom from the Veil of Illusion
Mary	Smith	Bunker Hill	Mountain Scene
Karen	Smith	Hedgesville	Mango’s Flight
Pat	Spranger	Berkeley Springs	Frilly Poppies
Judith	Stotler	Martinsburg	Weight of Enlightenment
Amber	Sullivan	Martinsburg	Rhododendrons
Neil	Super	Shepherdstown	‘Otherwise, Perfect Health!’
John	Turner	Gerrardstown	Family Tree
Monica	Wilkins	Shepherdstown	Journey