Sunday, August 14, 2016

25th Annual Athenaeum Juried Exhibition

by Patricia Frischer 
July 30 to Sept 3



The Athenaeum along with the Cannon Gallery in La Costa are known for their juried shows of high quality. At The Athenaeum the jurors this year were:Mary L. Beebe, Director, Stuart Collection, UCSD, Hugh DaviesPh.D., The David C. Copley Director & CEO, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Mark Quint, Owner, Quint Gallery

The work  is on view in the Athenaeum’s Clayes Gallery and Rotunda Gallery.

I was a little surprised that with such a prestigious group of judges that more well known artists did not enter the show for the 25th anniversary. For that to happen, I supposed the jurors would have had to promote the show amongst the artist they knew. Then, if those artist did not get in it would be very degrading. And many artists do not want to pay a fee to be rejected. But this was a good chance for many under-rated artists to be seen by a stellar panel. Such are the trials of the juried show concept. That is not to say that the work was not of high quality. We loved seeing a red dot on the ceramic fantasy of Irene de Watteville which got an honorable mention. And Madeline Sherry is coming into her own with two fine very large painting that show a tour de force of skill

Irene de Watteville

Madeline Sherry perfectly displayed between the windows of this lovely room.

Madeline Sherry

Cliff McReynold gives us a vision from sea to sky

You have got to love Dan Adams and his little duck and cat...but look close, there is a gun in his hand. The dark side of Adams?

Luscious gentle colors by Kaori Fukyyama

Beautifully rendered  shadows in this acrylic painting by Brad Maxey
First Prize went to Becky Robbins for her oil on board and encaustic

2 comments:

  1. As one of the artists in the current Athenaeum 25th Annual juried show I don't know if it is a compliment or a slur to be noted as an "underrated artist". (Catherine Ruane)

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  2. It was meant as a compliment. I feel that there are many artists that deserve more attention (they are not rated enough) and was glad to see them supported in this show.

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