Prizes Awarded: Members Juried 2 at Concord Art

Concord, MA (Mar 2019) Concord Center for the Visual Arts is pleased to be hosting its annual member show called the MJ2 (Members Juried 2) art exhibition, from February 21– March 21, 2019 in the main galleries at 37 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA. The show is part of the series of juried art exhibitions that present work by member artists, that includes collage, crafts, graphics, mixed media, photography and printmaking. On view are 83 works of art chosen from over 382 entries. Leah Triplett Harrington, Senior Editor at Big, Red & Shiny a Boston's independent contemporary art magazine juried the entries for the show. Kate James, Executive Director of Concord Art, announced the best in show award winners during the opening on February 21, when six artists received special recognition including monetary awards for their work. Concord resident Nancy Gruskin and Cambridge resident, Philip Kelsey, won the annual Nancy T. Baldwin Memorial award for the best drawings in the show. Five other artists received juror awards for best in show. Those artists include; Peter Curran from Wayland, Wendy James and Kathy Rubado from Lowell, Doron Putka from Brookline, and Rochelle Zohn from Waltham. Concord Art is located at 37 Lexington Road, Concord, MA. Gallery hours are Tuesday–Saturday 10:00am–4:30pm and Sunday 12:00pm–4:00pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public. More information at www.concordart.org

About the Nancy T. Baldwin Award and the winners:

Two artists shared the Nancy T. Baldwin Memorial Prize at the Members Juried 2 Exhibition. Nancy T. Baldwin (1924-2000), an active artist and board member of Concord Art during the 1970's and 1980's. The prize was endowed by a generous gift by Baldwin's dear friend, Alice Moulton and is awarded annually at the MJ2 exhibition. Concord resident, Nancy Gruskin, was one of two winners of the Nancy T. Baldwin Award for her IPAD drawing entitled; “Lemonade Stand.” Juror, Leah Triplett Harrington remarked, “I'm impressed by this vibrantly colorful digital drawing. The composition is striking, and that you can see the artist's line work makes this work feel immediate and vivacious." Cambridge resident Phillip Kelsey was the second artist to share the award in recognition for his ink drawing; "Man Reclining". The juror remarked: "Intimate and peaceful, this portrait is a tender picture of a quiet moment. This work demonstrates a traditional approach to the medium, and I appreciate how the artist has used a time-honored approach to say so much."

The five remaining juror prizes were given to, Peter Curran of Wayland for his photograph, "Variations on a Theme, (Found LEGOS). The Juror, Leah Triplett Harrington remarked; "This work is subtle and sophisticated. Curran indexed LEGO configurations in a playful way, exploiting a minimal language of line, color, and shape."

Wendy James of Lowell, received a juror's prize for "Unzipped", A stoneware vase, for which the juror stated; "Sleek stoneware is punctuated by a vertical stretch of a zipper in this minimal, affecting work. The work is tantalizing in its smooth texture and exquisitely sculpted zipper."

Artist Kathy Rubado of Lowell, received an award for her collage entitled; "Self Portrait." The juror remarked: This self-portrait is traditional in its head-on, straight forward perspective, but its collage approach gives it a fresh feel. Further, the fractured aesthetic implies the way in which we can never fully know another person completely. But Kathy's gaze gives the work a feeling of positivity and power."

Doron Putka of Brookline won for her collage artwork called "Snow Melt in Concord", "There's something whimsical yet powerful here. Each collage element is carefully placed and strategic; each piece accumulates into a sumptuously delightful composition depicting a bucolic scene." according to juror.

And last but not least, Rochelle Zohn of Waltham won for her fiber art pice called; "In the Beginning" Leah Triplett Harrington remarked; "This intricately woven sculpture forms a tactile topography. Recalling a prehistoric Pangea, the work is seductive in its varying blacks and undulating grey tones."

The MJ2 exhibit of collage, crafts, graphics, mixed media, photography and printmaking will be up in the Main Galleries at Concord Art until March 21, 2019, located at 37 Lexington Road, Concord, MA. Concord Art offers art exhibitions, lectures, art classes, workshops and community programs, fulfilling its mission: to promote and advance the visual arts and artists, and to enrich and sustain our cultural community.

Contact: Kathleen Jacobs, Marketing Director: 978-371-2496 Or email at kathleenjacobs@concordart.org Visit concordart.org for updated info on exhibitions, classes, lectures, demos, and trips and tours.