The Berkeley Art Works is now open Wednesday to Saturday so we hope that if you live in the Eastern WV region, you will be able to drop by to see the work in this very interesting show in person. But if you live too far away to make it in to the gallery, we want to share the great work of the artists whose work was selected for this exhibit.

To view a short video presentation of the 32 accepted works, click on the image below. The video will introduce you to the work in the exhibit but it is not a substitute for the experience of seeing the work in-person if you can make it into the gallery.

(Turn your sound on to hear the music. Please Note: The video is a large file.  Unless your mobile device is on an unlimited data plan, you should use a Wi-Fi network connection to avoid excessive data use charges on your cellular account. )

The Berkeley Arts Council’s PHOTO 21 juried national photographic art exhibit is open and runs through July 3 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday, 11-5, Saturday 11-4.

It has been 3 years since the Berkeley Arts Council last held a show focusing solely on photographic art.  The exhibit call for artists was open to all artists throughout the continental United States, working in any photographic medium or technique, including digital, film, alternative, or antique photographic processes.  Two- and 3-dimensional work (where a photographic technique is used as the main medium) was included.  Our juror, Robert M. Hein, selected 32 works from a total of 70 entries by 27 artists.  The works selected are by artists residing in 10 states.  This exhibit includes a variety of techniques ranging from digital and film photography, inclusion of graphics, photo illustration, and mixed media.  There is a variety of printing techniques represented, using archival paper and inks, printing on metal, fabric and mounting on wood.

About the jurying process, Professor Hein noted “There was quite a wide variety of subject matter and approaches to the medium that I appreciated very much.  I found myself going back to particular images to make sure I was finding what I was looking for.  From my background in the education of photography, I’m always looking for technical achievements and the artist’s point of view – this helps me connect with the intentions of the work when at times I don’t know where the work may be originally ‘coming from’.  Searching for this is a pleasure when looking over such an event as [the Berkeley Arts Council has] gathered, I congratulate you on retaining such a wide berth of artistic output in the current state of photographic arts practice!”

The following photos were selected by our juror to receive awards:

Best in Show “Perish” by Gabrielle Flanary
Merit Award “Traces” by Margaret Clingan
Merit Award “Rabbit in Cornfield” by Lynne Breitfeller
Honorable Mention “Twilight on Botany Bay, SC” by Susan J. Mullins
Honorable Mention “Derek” by Peter Foiles
Honorable Mention “Closed Sign” by Karen Smith
Honorable Mention “American Dreams:  Store” by Sarah Haig

Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to all the participants on a really nice show!  The awards reception will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 2:00pm.  Be on the lookout for a Zoom link.