The Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center welcomed the return of its annual juried members’ show with a reception Thursday evening. The exhibit, which runs through July 20, highlights 71 unique pieces created by local artists across two-dimensional and three-dimensional media.
“Everything blended nicely. There are some really lovely pieces here,” said co-chair Karen Schwartz.
John Lee, assistant professor of painting and art history at the College of William and Mary, served as the show’s judge. He said he was impressed by the artists’ contributions.
“It’s one of those instances where everyone cares about what they’re doing, what they’re making,” Lee said. “Nothing’s half-baked. There’s some integrity.”
Lee said when he judges art, the medium and subject aren’t his focus.
“That’s not what moves me,” he said, adding he instead focuses on what he called the piece’s “visual expression.” “It’s about how the work is composed.”
The professor and painter picked his top favorites and also gave out nine merit awards to some of the show’s standout pieces, which earned cash prizes for the artists.
Sue Danehy earned first place for her oil-based portrait, “Confusion — Hot or Cold?”
“It’s composed beautifully,” Lee said, noting the many colors found in the flesh and the detail found in every inch of the painting’s human subject.
For runner-up, Lee chose an acrylic landscape painting, “Nature’s Peace,” by Sally Wiseman, which he said might appear generic at a quick glance.
“But there’s some rich colors,” he said, also praising the fluidity of the different objects as they meld into one another.
WCAC board member Bill Smith said the show highlights how individual artists have improved over time, partly thanks to the center’s positive environment, where different creative minds inspire one another.
“I think the variety of talent is just really impressive,” Smith said. “People have really done some of their best work.”
The opening reception also incorporated the center’s recently finished patio out back, where snacks and wine were served.
The patio and the gallery itself are both handicapped-accessible, something Melody Loftheim said is a welcome change compared to WCAC’s previous North Boundary Street location.
There, the second floor exhibit space was out of the question for those unable to take the stairs. At the current Westover Avenue site, all can explore anywhere they’d like.
“That is good, especially when you’re a community arts center,” Loftheim said.
Want to go?
The show runs through July 20 at the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, 110 Westover Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free and open to the public.
