DALLAS, TEXAS – The Dutch Art Gallery presented the 8th Annual Juried Art Exhibition with a warm reception filled with goodies, cake and champagne! The first 50 guests received a gift bag that included an original miniature art created by some of the artists in the show.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of music performed by Joseph Alcatraz. Thirty-seven artists and seventy-two entries were accepted in this art exhibition. Lou Ann Bower, Robert De Leon, Steve Hahn, Tina Bohlman, Barron Postmus, Elizabeth Mahy, Nancy Sterling Tyler, Ben Williams, Bob Shepherd, Kristine Byars, Deb Miller, Vernita Bridges Hoyt, Ann McCann, Janis Krendick, Mike Schroeder, Kyle Wood, Sheri Jones, Kay Wyne, Ed Crumley, Hebe Brooks, Jim Phipps, Sharon Hodges, Doris Vasek, Jordan Grimes, Donna Weber, Jean Adyr, Laurieann Dygowski, Lisa Adams Reed, Susan Jump, Victoria Mauldin, Selena Dixon, Hallie Thompson, Steve Ko, Elizabeth Rugg, Barbara Brush, James Swanson and Ann Rogers
Entries were opened to anyone residing in Texas as well as members of a variety of artist organizations. The Gallery has all of the entries framed and displayed until January 31, 2016. Winners were announced on Saturday, November 7. Each received a cash prize and guests who attended were asked to vote on their favorite entry for a People’s Choice Award.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TOP WINNERS WERE MIXED MEDIA
1st Place Winner goes to an original acrylic base with oil pastel on a 16×20 gallery wrap canvas called, “Capulin Volcano – Juniper On The Edge” by Laurieann Dygowski. The artist shared, “After walking around the rim of the Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico, I noticed the juniper trees were growing mostly on the side of the volcano that had hardly any wind. This larger specimen was on the very edge of the rim, probably with its roots drilling very deep into the dry soil seeking out any moisture it could find, and to keep it from toppling over the edge, onto the ground 5,000 feet below.”
Ever since kindergarten, art and creativity have been a driving force in Ms. Dygowski’s life. After heading into a career of computer design and marketing, she abandoned her fine art. She said, “I laid up my paints and brushes, and put them away to gather dust, so I could pursue what I thought was the creativity of commercial art.” This eventually led her to start her own marketing and graphic arts company, CPU Graphics. But because of a number of circumstances, such as being surrounded by creative people, and volunteering on the city arts commission, she got out those old oil pastels that were waiting over 15 years and created her first drawing. She added, “That drawing was such a revelation to me and to my brain. It was like a part of my mind had been asleep and was now awakened—again. Since that day, I’ve never looked back, I have created hundreds of pieces of art in various media, demonstrated for many art clubs in the Metroplex, received honors and awards from local, state, and out-of-state galleries in juried art exhibitions.”
She creates paintings, drawings, art jewelry, and altered clothing using mixed to traditional media. Her favorite painting style is mixed media, applying a multi-colored acrylic paint base painting, mixed with gesso for texture, onto a gallery wrapped canvas, then after the base dries, using oil pastels over the base, producing multiple layers of colors for exciting the eye. She also enjoys scratchboard with acrylic. Most of her subjects are landscapes and people. Currently, her new works consist of scratchboard art using fish, or ducks and geese as the subjects.
2nd Place Winner goes to an original 37x34x22 wood sculpture and mixed media called, “Watcher In The Shadows” by Jordan Grimes. The artist shared, “The oaks and the pines, and their brethren of the wood, have seen so many suns rise and set, so many seasons come and go, and so many generations pass into silence, that we may well wonder what “the story of the trees” would be to us if they had tongues to tell it, or we had ears fine enough to understand.”
In 2013, Grimes graduated from U.N.T with degrees in watercolor, drawing and painting. From a young age he has worked on his family’s organic farm. His family owns and runs a fifth generation organic farm. Since he spends a majority of his time outdoors it greatly reflects in his work and gives his inspiration. He mentioned, “Much of my work is also influenced by Native American philosophy and the overwhelming love all native cultures share for nature.” This came about due to the story of an ancestor Cynthia Ann Parker who was kidnapped as a child and lived with the Comanche Indians for over 20 years.
3rd Place Winner goes to an original 16×20 acrylic on canvas called, “Rusty Jewel” by Susan Jump. The artist shared, “Imagine walking through an old farm field. Hand in hand with your grandchild you come across this old rusty truck. All the questions from this young child starts flowing. You then find yourself thinking back to the days when it was new and shiny as it carried the family into town. Wouldn’t it be great to take it home to restore it to its former glory?”
In 2014, Jump also won 3rd place. She is a local Texas artist that sees beauty and art in everything. She believes, “Art envelopes all my senses and comes from the soul. It is a part of me as a person.” Painting since the early eighties and also enjoy woodworking and textiles. Most of her creative pieces are done in oil, acrylic, pastel or clay; either 2D or 3D. She is always willing to try something new. Being a wife, mother and grandmother keeps her busy, but art is always a part of her day.
People’s Choice Winner goes to an original oil and cold wax on 36×60 panel called, “The Future Is Here” by Lisa Adams Reed. The artist shared, “The seasons depicted in my work represent the past, present and future. The summer shows the world in all it’s glory, fully in bloom and making one feel present and one with the earth.”
Lisa said, “I have seen myself as an artist since I was a small child. I always knew my creativity would dominate my life and in this final third I am all in! I was blessed by a stroke that left me blind in one eye a few years ago. Funny how it made me see things differently and have an even greater desire to paint the world from this unique perspective. I discovered my favorite juicy medium when I first opened a jar of cold wax and mixed it with oil. It was like painting with yummy canned frosting! The many layers that I apply, then intuitively scrape away, always reveals beautiful surprises underneath. So much like life. The stuff that we may have layered on and covered up make us the unique individuals that we are. If we dare peel some layers away our colorful gifts are there in all their glory. My paintings are SoulScapes.”
Judging was based on the overall impact of the work such as clarity to the viewer, originality, quality of artistic design and impression. Our jury panel included Hans and Pam Massar with Keith Williams, Artist and Teacher. This Dallas based artist sees art as multi-functional, a self-reflection, communication, and social commentary. His current focus is in painting and drawing. Keith has been teaching college for the past eight years. He lectures as well as runs workshops in class. He teaches basic design through advanced design; as well as figure drawing and portraiture. Keith has a variety of works in galleries and art spaces, “I feel that art should possess skill as well as reason behind it. When viewing my work collectively a greater narrative arises. My art is influenced by nature and wildlife.” Williams received a Bachelor of fine art with honors from Southern Methodist University in 2001. He was a Resident Artist in sculpture at Southern Methodist University in 2003. In 2006 Keith received a Masters of fine arts, with honors in 2006. Our fourth juror is a former Vietnam Veteran, retired Cardiac Pulmonary Technician and Philanthropist, Tom Russell. When he breaks away from being a lumberjack or gold mining he enjoys expanding his exquisite art collection.
Judges came in on Friday, November 6th to jury. Each reviewed the 72 pieces displayed not knowing what the other judge may be scoring. Overall the jury panel spent many hours to complete their objective. All were faced with a difficult choice.
Prior to the show, there was a sneak peek to those who wanted to acquire any works before the opening reception. An original 11×14 oil on canvas “Reeds In The Wind” by Hallie Thompson sold. The artist shared, “It’s a classic take on modern art, I used a limited color palette on canvas. I wanted the painting to look as though reeds were blowing in the wind.” Hallie is a budding artist and this was her first time to enter an art exhibition, to exhibit in an art gallery and to have a painting sold. Her response to the good news was truly refreshing to see.
8th Annual Juried Art Exhibition “Impressions of the Past, Present & Future” will be on display until January 31, 2016. Be sure to sign up to receive news for upcoming events! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the artists who entered. Thank you to our judges, Keith Williams and Tom Russell. Thank you to the Artists for spreading the word to your network. Most of all thank you to our loyal customers of 50 years. Your patronage is priceless. Thank you for being a part of our history and future! We are just thrilled of the success of the show and how great things turned out. My parents would have been proud and my family is blessed! – Hans and Pam Massar
Below are photos for you to enjoy!