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Carnegie keeps arts alive for community
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Best of Show winner Eddie O. Rodriguez, “Grazie Mille,” oil on canvas

The Carnegie Arts Center may not be able to open its doors to the public at this time, but that isn't stopping the organization from sharing arts with the community.

The Carnegie Arts Center recently selected the winners for their annual Carnegie Art Showcase and has plans on showing the exhibit in a virtual format. Additionally, the Center is calling for entries for a new exhibition and is working with Stanislaus State on gathering proposals for a staircase mural in the university's new library.

The Carnegie Art Showcase is an annual all-media juried exhibition that is open to entries from artists, age 18 and over, residing in California. A panel of three professional artists selected 84 works from among more than 215 entries for this year’s exhibition.

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Award of Excellence winner Richard Gomez, “Inclusion,” spray paint on panel

The exhibition includes pieces by 52 artists from 23 different communities from across the region and the state. Works include paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, digital art and mixed media.

Best of Show was awarded to Eddie O. Rodriguez of Merced, for the 2017 oil on canvas work "Grazie Mille."

Awards of Excellence were awarded to Richard Gomez of Atwater and Vivian Patton of Groveland.

Awards of Merit were given to Frank Ayala of Merced, Carol David of Modesto, and Geri Patterson-Kutras of Morgan Hill.

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Award of Excellence winner Vivian Patton, “Columbia Tea House,” pastel on gessoed board

Honorable Mentions went to Ray Briones of Modesto, John Claes of Turlock, Susan Conner of Altaville, Marcy Duarte of Modesto, Jennifer Van of Denair, and Christopher Viney of Atwater.

A virtual version of the exhibition, with images of each of the accepted works, will be available soon for viewing on the Carnegie’s website, said Carnegie Art Center Director Lisa McDermott.

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Hudson Berdino, “The Liar,” oil on canvas

For those individuals creating art right now, the Carnegie Arts Center is seeking entries for a new show. In This Time is a juried exhibition for the Carnegie’s Lobby Galleries that will explore creative responses to the current state of our communities, our nation and our world.

"Throughout history, artists have confronted, examined and responded to the issues of their moment," McDermott said in a release. "Today, the crises that are actively defining this time – from quarantine to climate change, from social justice to economic uncertainty— fundamentally impact our lives. This moment calls out for artists to help us collectively make sense of who and where we are. In This Time we rely on our creative community to explore the issues we confront. Through the arts we have opportunities to connect, heal, share diverse perspectives, and envision possibilities for change."

Entries can be done in: Oils and Acrylics, photography and digital media, prints, drawings, watercolors, collage and mixed media, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, and decorative arts.

The exhibition will award a grand prize of $400, two awards of merit of $100 each and four honorable mentions of $50 each.

The jurors will be McDermott and Stella Bertalis, the Modesto poet laureate and author of "Alkali Sink: Poems."

Entries are due Sept. 20. the dates of exhibition are planned for Oct. 14 to Jan. 17, 2021.

All the rules and requirements can be found at https://www.carnegieartsturlock.org/call-for-entries.

For those individuals who work in a larger format, the Carnegie Arts Center is partnering with Stanislaus State for a public art mural. This call is for an interior Grand Staircase mural proposal in the renovated Vasché Library Building. The mural is projected to be on the south wall in the Library lobby near the staircase and approximately 805 sf in size. The estimated budget for the mural is $25,000.

The interior theme of the Library will be a celebration of the region’s agricultural roots. The Grand Staircase mural should reflect that theme through the unique landscape of the San Joaquin Valley’s farmland. Proposals should demonstrate the wealth of the region’s natural resources as well as the diversity of agricultural production.

Independent artists specializing in two-dimensional mediums may choose to submit proposals for consideration. Artists may submit letters of interest and qualifications, along with images or project renderings, to be considered for installation. Artists are encouraged to submit work that complements the university’s architecture and supports its mission.

For details on submitting a proposal visit https://www.csustan.edu/university-committee-public-art/call-proposals.