3-27-24 Ledger

page 8 Wednesday, March 27, 2024

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By Emma Palova

contributing writer

The West Michigan Art

Competition exhibit opened

at LowellArts, with an

awards reception Sunday,

featuring 136 artists from

Lower West Michigan. The

artwork on display, through

April 27, is a highlight to

the LowellArts exhibition

schedule each year as it

pulls together the best

pieces from talented artists

in the region.

“This exhibition is

exciting because it has

grown in prestige over

the years,” Janet Teunis,

Executive Director, said.

“Many artists in the area

save their very best piece

to enter this competition.”

Although the prize money

is an incentive, the bigger

draw is that artists know it

is an honor to just be in the

show because they know

they are among the best

of the best, according to

Teunis.

LowellArts announces 38th Annual

West Michigan Art Competition with awards

“We hope the level of

quality and interest in the

show continues to increase

for years to come, and we

expect that we will get

many visitors in to see this

exhibition – you won’t want

to miss it,” she said.

Out of 236 submissions,

juror, Candice Chovanec,

faced the difficult task of

picking the best of the best.

There were a large number

of representational nature

scenes, submitted in a

range of mediums: painting,

drawing, photography, and

mixed media. “These works

highlighted the beautiful

scenery that can be found

in Michigan and beyond,”

Chovanec said. “I was

delighted to see how these

artists were able to connect

to this classic theme, while

still making work that felt

fresh and new.”

For example, Ann

Dyer’s pen and ink drawing,

“End of the Storm,” captures

the rural beauty of the

Midwest. “I was impressed

with the complex layering

of color with ink and the

exceptional display of skill

in her work,” Chovanec

said.

“Lotus Flowers,” by

Dianne Carroll Burdick,

grabbed first place for its

quiet and calm presence.

“Its impact is heightened

by the removal of color,”

Chovanec said, “allowing

the viewer to delight in the

repetition of shape, and

pattern.”

There are a few pieces

that are near the gallery’s

exhibit-size limit, which is

62 inches in height, length,

and depth, according to

Teunis. “The gallery looks

extra full this year, “Teunis

said. “We even have one

piece this year that is a

sphere - and is at the size

limit in all directions.”

Sculptural submissions

ranged from large to small,

hung to free-standing,

abstract to functional, with

a wide variety of materials,

including: glass, tile, wood,

ceramic, metal, fabric, and

found materials.

“The skill and

complexity of these works

made selecting a limited

number for the gallery a

challenge,” said Chovanec.

Ted Evans’ large-scale

sculpture, “Traffic Circles,”

had an undeniable presence

when I first saw it.” This

sculptural form was

carefully and meticulously

constructed, using a

repeating design made

of wood. This intriguing

work shows conviction and

commitment to a unique

artistic vision. “A singular

vision is what drives many

artists to make things

that have only existed in

the imagination, and is,

ultimately, what drew me

to this unusual piece,” she

said.

Another popular

category is mixed-media

that included a variety of

paper collage works with

both representational and

abstract styles. “Change

Gon’ Come,” by Monica

Stegeman, was a powerful

combination of conceptual

themes and playful imagery.

“I was drawn to their use

of bold text with pattern,

collage, and paint. This

work appears to speak to

our better nature and gently

asks the viewer to be open to

the possibilities of change,

bringing a brighter future to

us all,” Chovanec wrote in

her juror’s statement.

Abstract works also

used a variety of mediums,

including paint, ceramics,

collage, photography, wood,

found materials. “I was

fascinated by Lou Vallance’s

painted collage, “Outer

Wear,” she wrote. “How

this painting felt like both

a macro and microcosm,

containing a multitude

of realities and potential

reads.”

Award Winners

Dianne Carroll Burdick,

‘Lotus Flowers,’ digital

photograph

Ann Dyer, ‘End of the

Storm,’ pen & ink

Ted Evans, ‘Traffic

Circles,’ sculpture

Monica Stegeman,

‘Change Gon’ Come,’

mixed-media on paper

Lou Vallance, ‘Outer

Wear,’ acrylic painting with

hand-printed paper additions

Honorable Mentions

John Andersen,

‘Fading Light,’ oil

Bob Brown, ‘Cattail,’

photography

Mercedes Ebbers,

‘Victory Song,’ acrylic and

paper on canvas

Rusmel Mora,

‘Eyioko,’ wood

Joyce A Recker,

‘Against All Odds,’ mixed-

media

Chris Scheil,

‘Perimeter 2,’ terra cotta

clay

Merima Smajlovic,

‘Kiss of the Future,’ mixed-

media

Joanne Swann, Hope

on the Horizon, Reduction

Print

Kelly Walkotten,

‘Misty Woodlands,’

photography, emulsion lift

Jackson Wrede, ‘Man

with a Glove,’ oil on linen

mounted to panel

Five equal cash

awards, totaling $3,000,

were presented.

The LowellArts

Gallery is located at 223 W

Main St, Lowell, MI 49331.

Gallery hours are: Tues-

Fri, 10am-6pm, and Sat,

12-5pm. More information

can be found at: http://www.

lowellartsmi.org/west-

michigan-art-competition

Best pieces from 136 artists, on display at LowellArts, during West

Michigan Art Competition.

West Michigan Art Competition displays best pieces from Lower West

Michigan.

105 N. Broadway • 897-9261 • [email protected]

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