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 4:00 – 6:00 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 6 – 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.

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The Berkeley Arts Council announces Photo18, its fifth annual juried Photography Exhibit. Juror Frank Herrera selected 26 images from 23 artists out of 108 images submitted. In addition to West Virginia, artists from nine other states are represented in the exhibit. There will be a reception and awards presentation on Sunday, July 15 from 2-4pm at the gallery at 116 North Queen Street in Martinsburg. Gallery hours are Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-4. For a full list of the accepted artists visit berkeleyartswv.org/photo18/.

The juror’s results are in. Frank Herrera selected 26 images from 23 artists out of 108 images submitted.

Here is Frank’s Juror’s statement:

Having taught photography for the past 50 years or so, I must have looked at millions of photographic images, mainly to determine how to best advise folks how they might improve their work. That advice can be sometimes technical, aesthetic, conceptual, or even spiritual.  In jurying a contest like this, seeing work for the first time, absent a historical context, I try to encourage work which I think original, technically proficient, thoughtful , and capable of holding the viewer’s attention for more than a few seconds. I’m looking for new ideas , photos that push the boundaries. By that, I definitely do not mean using the latest APP –like one which automatically makes your snapshot look like a Van Gogh painting. Winnowing down an entry list of 108 down to 25 finalists  is pretty brutal. I’ve always tried to  encourage everybody who takes photography seriously enough to go to the trouble  of presenting their work for scrutiny  from me  as well as the public, deserves recognition. I have participated in many juried shows over the years. Done well in some…In others, well, there’s always the next time. Don’t be discouraged.

Thanks to the BAC for the chance to participate. Lots of impressive work-thanks for making it hard to choose.

FPH
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