Judge:  Justin Kronewetter is the director of the Richard Ross Art Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University. He is a professor in the fine arts department where he has taught painting, drawing and photography since joining the faculty in 1972. Justin is best known for his fine art photography. He has exhibited widely and frequently served as juror for art shows throughout Ohio.

Judge’s Selections & Comments:  I am impressed with the wide range of works in this show. While there are many different levels of artistic accomplishment represented, it is obvious that each mark has been created as a serious act of creative expression.  As in most ventures, “practice makes perfect.” So to those whose efforts were not singled out as the recipients of awards , keep trying. For those whose works were singled out for recognition...CONGRATULATIONS!

Dennis Zimmerman’s (Best of Show) The Painter  was obviously painted by a very skilled hand. I am impressed by the expressive brushwork. A limited palette, but very harmonious color scheme...Excellent presentation!

Rich Clem (1st Place)  I am struck by the rich color and expressive application of paint. The painting (Topless) captures the stillness of a sun drenched winter day.  I am intrigued by the title.  The frame fits the painting perfectly.

Renate Burgyan-Fackler (2nd Place) Aristide Bruant in His Cabaret & Jan Avril, Jardin de Paris: Working in bronze is anything but easy and these two works exhibit a time commitment beyond what others are willing to give.  The artist has a keen sense of human anatomy and more than a passing interest in history.

S. Betz Gallagher (3rd Place) The paintings of Mary Cassatt come in mind when looking at Summertime. There is the same type of domestic scene and impressionist style of paint application. Even so, this artist has a style of her own, and a personal color palette too.  The intimate scale is appropriate for the subject matter.

 Among the Honorable Mentions are many works deserving extra attention:  Rodney Dean Hayslip’s The Sun Returns  reminds me of regionalist painter Grant Wood.  Not a bad comparison! Like Wood, this artist gets a lot of mileage out of a few simple shapes.  As the title suggests, I sense the passing rain and the return of a mid-summer’s day.  Jim Glover’s Almost Frozen suggests the first hint of Spring, the promise of sunny days ahead.  Tree branches in the foreground create a sense of space between the viewer and the buildings beyond the snow covered field. Charles Rowland in his Old Stockholm really captures the feeling of “the street.” Objects highlighted by sun seem to “dance” against shaded background.  Lines of perspective guide the viewer into the action. Vivian Ripley (Peony II): I am impressed by the expressive application of the pastel, the vibrant colors, and extremes of light and dark contrast. I feel the sense of movement yet the calming effect that a flower garden brings to those that are attentive.  In Melodie Thompson’s Farmer’s Hope  I see open space with grass or grain bending in the wind. Is it the high plains of the western states? The colors suggest a parched earth and the brushwork captures the shifting direction of the never ending wind.  Finally, Jan Allmon’s Gentle Breakers puts the viewer “at the scene.” I can hear the breakers and feel the spray carried by the wind.  Colors are enlivened by the light. An excellent range of light and dark contrast!

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