AAJ-Summer-Show-2019

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SUMMER SHOW 2022

Exhibiting at Community Arts Center

of Cambria County

July 5 - Aug 27, 2022

Apologies in advance to the artists whose works under glass have the glares detracting from the artwork. Click for larger view.

Juror Statement

I vividly remember a moment in graduate school when a student had a question for an eminent professor, a connoisseur of early Italian Renaissance art. How could Professor Eisenberg recognize whether a work of art was good or not? After a very short pause, and without a word, he put his hand between his heart and his gut. It was a moving demonstration because most art historians, curators, dealers, and artists “just know” if something is good. There are criteria, but ultimately, we rely on years of looking and understanding. While this frustrates those who want logic and a rationale, it is, I believe, the truth. An example that proves this “truth,” is what happens when a group of people jury an art exhibition together. Whether coming from a specific arena—say, for example, lovers of minimalism or figuration—or disparate backgrounds such as a potter, a scholar of Impressionism, and a journalist required to produce a review quickly, the groups I have experienced have concurred on the vast majority of pieces. It is a reassuring practice.

I always keep this in mind when jurying a show or choosing prizewinners. I acknowledge that I have biases and specific interests, but I also believe that I can set them aside when judging the quality of a work. In this particular case, I was disappointed by the number of works, wishing for a larger pool for selection and for a better sense of the members and their work. But I found that each and every work exhibited quality in some aspect, whether it be formal, technical, or conceptual. From the fine detail of realism to the brush work of abstraction, from the manipulation of photographs to the hint of a summer’s day on a beach, from the elements and materials added to a collage, each work deserved recognition. I realized, once again, how art can move and affect visitors, how it matters, and how it brings so much to viewers, including myself. I am always grateful to see new art because it enhances my understanding of what makes art such an important and necessary part of our lives.

Vicky A Clark, PhD

Curator, Writer, and Teacher, Contemporary Art and Ideas

Pittsburgh, PA

Eight Award Recipients were named:

Mike Burk in memory of Kathy Burk Award presented to:

Larry Mallory- 'Antique Vise'

Anonymous in memory of Kathy Burk Award presented to:

Diana Williams - 'Sophie in Blue'

Jeanne Gleason Award presented to:

Alan Rauch - 'Raining on Main Street'

Bennett Vaughn/Ed Kale Award presented to:

Jaime Helbig - 'Corner at Atlantic and Atlanta'