City Hall was unusually active this weekend, with artists from all over the Central Valley dropping off their entries for the 29th annual Spring Juried Art Show. Judging took place on Sunday and the show is now on display at the Turlock City Gallery inside of City Hall.
“The artwork is phenomenal this year,” said Larry DeTomasi, Turlock City Arts commissioner.
This year, 67 pieces were submitted for judging and 37 of those were chosen to hang in the City Hall gallery. DeTomasi said the number of entries was down from last year, mainly because the arts commission was not able to send out mailed invitations to artists because of a lack of funds. They spread the word through e-mail this year.
“The turnout wasn’t great, but we didn’t have the money to advertise it like we normally do,” DeTomasi said.
The show was judged by three independent critics who chose winners, second, third and honorable mention in each category. Hope Werness and Dean DeCocker, both professors of art at California State University, Stanislaus, acted as judges along with local artist Don Hall. Candy Klaschus, chair of the Turlock City Arts Commission, said that the judging was fair and efficient this year. In the first round of judging, pieces were chosen for display in the gallery. More than half of the submitted pieces made the first cut.
“I think that once again it proves that we have many talented artists in this area,” Klaschus said.
The Turlock City Arts Commission received $15 for each piece entered into the show. All art in the gallery is for sale, and TCAC will receive 25 percent of the purchase price on all art sold through the show. The commission will also choose one piece for their Ornament Award. The winning piece will be displayed on the commission’s holiday ornaments, which will be sold to raise funds for future commission projects.
Awards and cash prizes will be presented to winners at the reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 10 at City Hall. “Quentin,” from the drawings and graphics category, won best in show. The piece is a pastel drawing of a cowboy created by Joan Cardoza.
The show will hang in the Turlock City Hall gallery from now until March 10. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during public meetings at City Hall.
To contact Andrea Goodwin e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003
