I am honored to have been asked to jury Gallery North’s 2017 Beauty of the Northwest Show in Edmonds, Washington, featuring paintings and drawings depicting scenes and subjects representing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
This is Gallery North's eighth annual invitational Beauty of the Northwest Show. The art exhibit will be on display from September 1-30.
Being a juror is a daunting task. There are always some pieces that really stand out, but in the end a juror has to narrow down the award winning pieces. Being a juror has helped me, as an artist, when I don't get accepted. It's helped me understand that despite brushwork, composition, design, good values, a good story, in the end, it is a judgement call. (And it can be a little thing that tips the scale one way or the other.) So when you or I have work that doesn't win an award, or doesn't even get chosen for the exhibit, we need to dust ourselves off, and try again.
I have a good friend who is an excellent watercolorist. She called me in frustration one day, after the second rejection letter for a painting she thought was quite strong. I saw the painting. It was a great watercolor. But in her haze of rejection, she contemplated giving up painting, thinking that maybe she was past her prime. I encouraged her to submit that same piece to an upcoming national show. Reluctantly, she agreed. A few weeks later she was happy to tell me that, not only did it get accepted. It won an award!
All this to say, that this jurying business is always subjective in the end. It's not easy for artists to feel the sting of rejection but it's not easy for the juror to make their decisions either. So keep painting and keep entering those exhibits!
The Artist's Reception for Beauty of the Northwest is on September 9th, from 1pm - 4pm. The Awards Ceremony is at 2pm. I'll be there and you're invited!!
About Gallery North: In operation for more than 50 years, Gallery North is one of the longest running artist-cooperative galleries in the nation. It continues its mission to promote and sell local art in the heart of downtown Edmonds. Open 7 days a week, Gallery North is located at 401 Main Street, Edmonds, WA. For further information, please visit the Galley North website at www.GalleryNorthEdmonds.com or contact Gallery North at 425-774-0946.