​​Jurors comments

It is such an honor to be asked to judge your Members Show. I only wish I could have seen each piece in person to appreciate the subtleties and nuances of the work. However, the opportunity to present a show in which every artist is included naturally lends itself to an online venue. Congratulations to the board for offering this wonderful opportunity.

 

The exhibition was a delightful collection of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. Every artist is a winner for stepping forward and sharing their work, because each piece contributes to the strength and character of the show as a whole. An artist's job is to engage the viewer and create an experience, and this exhibition offered many unique and memorable experiences. It was a joy to spend time with the work.

 

I spent considerable time evaluating both the exhibition as a whole and each category individually, seeking to understand the spirit and flavor of the show. I was drawn to paintings that pulled me in emotionally and invited a conversation. There were so many strong entries that narrowing the selections was difficult.

 

Awards are always influenced by the aesthetic preferences of a single judge. If you did not receive an award this time, continue to believe in yourself and your work. Keep creating, keep exhibiting, and keep growing. As the saying goes, do it until the judge gets it right.  —Teresa Kirk

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Best in Show Candace Cobb

Farveil radiates a sense of peacefulness and calm that invites the viewer to pause and simply be present. The quiet atmosphere is achieved through a limited palette, sensitive edge work, and a remarkable economy of means. It is a beautiful example of watercolor at its finest, showcasing the transparency, softness, and luminous quality that first inspired many of us to fall in love with the medium. The painting's simplicity is its strength, creating an emotional connection that lingers long after viewing.

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1st Place Signature Dee Turba

Flight is a unique painting that plays beautifully with space, creating a sense of ambiguity that keeps the viewer engaged. The energetic movement at the top of the composition presses downward, while the upward flight of the birds forms a visual bridge between the quiet simplicity of the lower section and the dynamic activity above. The contrast between the detailed rendering of the birds and the restrained palette of soft greys adds strength and sophistication to the work. This thoughtful balance of movement, space, and simplicity makes Flight a highly successful painting.

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1st Place Associates Sharon Buttress

Bushkill Falls is a complex composition that clearly conveys the arrival of autumn. The circular movement throughout the painting allows the viewer to experience the fallen leaves as they swirl across the water's surface. Bright yellow leaves guide the eye through the composition, leading to areas of green and then to oranges, all set against darker, subdued grays that suggest rocks beneath the water. The interplay of color, movement, and value creates both depth and energy. One of the painting's greatest strengths is that many of its smaller passages can be appreciated as abstract compositions on their own, adding another layer of visual interest and sophistication to the work.​

• Best in Show, An Associate Member: Candace Cobb

• ​1st Place, Signature Dee Turba​

• 1st Place, Associate Sharon Buttress

• 2nd Place, Signature Roberta Oliver​

• 2nd Place, Associate Michelle Vargas​

• 3rd Place, Signature Ann Smiga Greene​

• 3rd Place, Associate Jim Cottingham

• 4th Place, Signature Nancy Robinson​

• 4th Place, Associate Makarand Magare​

• Award of Excellence, Signature Gwynn W Di Pilla​

• Award of Excellence, Signature Linda Hejduk

• Award of Excellence, Signature Michael Berardesco​

• Award of Excellence, Associate Denis Orloff

• Award of Excellence, Associate Patience Oakes​

• Award of Excellence, Associate Ewa E Pokora-Nalewajek

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