Arts Council Juried Exhibition

The best of local art is on display at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

The council finished the year with the 2012 Juried Exhibition, and it remains on display most of this month.

"The Regional Juried show has always presented an outstanding opportunity for the Arts Council to showcase local talent, found both in the exquisite artists of the area, as well as in the beautiful landscapes and varied terrain unique to our region," said council director Murielle Gaither.

This year's best in show winner was "Desert Sand," by John "Cowboy" Lynch. Lynch was awarded $500. According to Gaither, Lynch has been involved with the Arts Council as a member of the Visual Arts Cooperative for the past year. This is his first award at an Arts Council juried exhibit.

Second place went to ceramic artist Rusty Newton. Her piece, "Dream Catcher," is a large-scale sculpture intended to fit on a mantelpiece. Newton also submitted the sculpture "Casino Jack and Lucky." Gaither said that piece has received numerous inquiries. Casino Jack is a stoneware sculpture of a man who appears to be on vacation, wearing a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt and yellow pants, who is holding a cigar with his pet dalmation Lucky, who lies next to him.

“Purple Threads Play the Fields,” by Vicki Outman.

Juror's selections went to Victor Kantchev for his piece "Aspens," a photograph on canvas; Mary Ann Hartman for "The Workshop," an oil painting; and Vicki Outman for "Purple Threads Play the Fields." The people's choice went to Judy Brey for "Perfume and Roses," a water color.

Justin Henry Miller, an assistant art professor at Southeast Missouri State University, served as juror for this year's show. "The pieces selected for this year's show reflect the region's rich artists community and diverse approaches to art making," he said.

Other pieces include the three-dimensional "Mobile 4" by Eldon Benz; "Emily in the Birthday Chair" by Jean Rissover, a painting that features an upset child in a highchair wearing a party hat; "After the Rain -- San Diego" by David Carter and others.

More than 100 pieces were entered into this year's exhibit. Miller selected 38 finalists.

"With these pieces, I tried to select artwork that displayed high levels of technical resolve, but even more importantly those pieces that reflected the artist's pursuit to evoke emotive content."

Juried Exhibition second place “Dream Catcher,” by Rusty Newton.

Miller said he was impressed with the exceptional work of the artists.

Gaither said Miller did a good job selecting the finalists and his selections show the region through the artists' eyes.

"Miller did a beautiful job of whittling the entries down to 38 cohesive and synergetic pieces, which work together to paint a comprehensive picture of all that the Southeast Missouri Region and its artists have to offer," Gaither said. "As the exhibit shows, our artists' strengths do not lie simply in one technique, or medium, but are instead showcased through a variety of dynamic and interesting compositions, textures, colors and emotions."

Gaither invited everyone to view the exhibit and "engage with the region in a different way."

Want to go?

“Aspens,” by Victor Kantchev.

The show will be on display until Jan. 26 and will feature pieces by 20 local and regional artists. The gallery is at 32. N. Main St., and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, go online to www.capearts.org.

apicar@semissourian.com

388-3846

Pertinent address:

32 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO