For the Reporter
Auburn artist Wendy Ray captured first place in the sculpture division for her work in the CVG Show at Bremerton’s Collective Visions Gallery.
The Saturday, Jan. 20 show – one of the largest and most prestigious art competitions in the Northwest – was open to the public at the downtown Bremerton gallery, 331 Pacific Ave., three blocks from the ferry terminal.
The exhibit continues until Saturday, Feb. 24, and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A total of 283 artists from 83 cities and towns throughout Washington submitted more than 900 images for consideration. The competition’s three jurors – Paula Stokes, Teresa Saia and Harry Longstreet – chose 125 pieces from the submissions for inclusion in the show.
Jurors chose the recipients of more than $10,000 in cash prizes awarded to 10 artists in multiple categories, including the Best of Show Mayor’s Award of $1,500. Additionally, there were more than $2,500 in purchase awards by area businesses, a $300 People’s Choice Award sponsored by the West Sound Arts Council, nine $25 Jurors’ Awards, and a $1,000 Best of Kitsap Award sponsored by the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest.
Ray’s entry is a welded tree, titled Rocky Solitude, that it is “growing” on out of steel scraps.
“The base is a remnant from the granite in our kitchen,” she explained. “I decided to take a Saturday welding class at Green River College after admiring some of (volunteer teacher) Greg Bartol’s work at an art show that we were both participating in. (Barton) was selling his welded art, and I was there with my oil paintings. He encouraged me to sign up for the class, and I haven’t looked back.
“I still paint, but I am now also part of Greg’s Studio B welding group, and I feel very fortunate to have found my way down this unexpected path,” Ray added. “Almost everything that I have made is made with repurposed materials – from car part table bases, to wall art, to sculptures.”
Exhibition co-chairs Phil Baumgaertner and Cindy DuVall say: “The 2018 show attracted top quality artists from every quarter of our state to submit their best work. Attendees and collectors will find a museum quality show of work ranging in size from large sculptures, paintings and fiber art pieces to small prints, photos and jewelry, ranging in style from exquisite traditional work to provocative contemporary works and deeply personal expressions. Some of these artists are well established professionals, and others are emerging talents in the world of art. Our state is very rich with talent.”
For a complete list of accepted artists and exhibition events, visit CVGShow.com.
