Renowned jurors shine spotlight on County artists

Art in the County’s 20th anniversary opening night reception. Pat Hyduk photo

Three renowned Canadian art professionals have made their selections for this year’s 20th anniversary edition of Art in the County.

“The selections, drawn from the County’s abundant talent pool, is a result of a thoughtful process of jurying, bound by a collective approach to certain artistic criteria, and individual professional experience and refinement,” said Tara Wilkinson, communications representative of the Art in the County committee. “The jurors were solely responsible for the content of the show and for choosing the five jurors’ choice awards and five honorable mention awards.”

The jurors were impressed by the high quality of works submitted in a variety of media.

“Such diversity speaks to the County’s active artistic community and to the level of creativity and professionalism of the artists,” they noted.

Tara Wilkinson congratulates textile landscape artist Suendrini who won the Manly E. MacDonald Award for her work titled “County Rd 12, Prince Edward County. Sean Wilson photo

In celebration of 20th anniversary, a first Manly E. MacDonald Award for Excellence was also chosen.
Napanee author, Charles Beale, who wrote “Manly E. MacDonald – Interpreter of Old Ontario” established the “The Manly E. MacDonald Award of Excellence” in honour of this famous Canadian painter and in celebration of the show’s 20th Anniversary. Beale presented the award to textile landscape artist Suendrini for her work titled “County Rd 12, Prince Edward County” … a work of art created with reclaimed and new textiles, and valued at $28,000. In their remarks, the jurors noted that the work was “Respectful of the landscape tradition and creative in the innovative application of the textile medium”.

At the opening ceremonies, cheers erupted as each of the following Prince Edward County artists was announced:

JUROR AWARD WINNERS:
Sharon Fox Cranston,    Pastel, Silver Ribbons
Doug Johnson, Photography, Washing day, Havana, Cuba
Erin Johnston, Photography, Vivian Revealed
Milé Murtanovski, Oil, Coriander and Cilantro
Sharon Fox Cranston, Acrylic, In the County VI

HONOURABLE MENTION AWARDS:
Laurie McGugan, Oil on giclée print, Ayr pit
Milé Murtanovski, Oil, Embroidering the Truth
Tammy Love, Collage and acrylic, “N”
Florence Chik-Lau, Ceramic Sculpture, You, Me, We
Caroline Shuttle, Fused glass, Splash Series # 6, Hanging Splash

The show continues to Sunday, July 14th upstairs at Books & Company, 289 Main Street in Picton, Ontario from 10a.m. to 6p.m. daily (until 5p.m. Sundays, until 3p.m. July 14th). Admission is $3 and children 12 and under are free of charge.

Art from an impressive range of media is showcased including paintings (oil, encaustic, watercolour and acrylic); and works in glass, fibre, metal, ceramics, pottery, mixed media, photography, wood, fabric and sculpture. All works are for sale. The Peoples’ Choice Award is determined by visitor ballots and will be presented at the close of the exhibition.

In addition, a unique “Artist in Residence” program is planned. Nine Prince Edward County artists representing a wide range of art disciplines will share their respective processes with visitors to the show.

For more information, visit www.artinthecounty.com.