JUROR'S STATEMENT

My criteria for making aesthetic judgments are:

• appropriate choice of image (subject matter)
• design (composition, form)
• passion and/or intelligence
• authenticity
• technique
• personal expression (not just about the artist, but a broader expression)
• knowledge of existing art
• content (expression, intent, the 'why') The content can be anything that is appropriate for the artist. The sole purpose of all of the other criteria above (including technique) is to deliver the content!

This exhibition is varied in expression, as it should be.
There are:

• quality abstractions
• paintings with surprising designs
• personal surrealism
• playful, decorative and serious surface texture pieces
• quality figure and head studies
• landscapes that surpass the ordinary
• quality realism

I did not try to choose a show that represents a sampling of all the entries submitted. I chose what I thought were the best paintings, and let that be the representation of the show, regardless of what it was. It turned out to be varied, as mentioned above. This exhibition honors those artists whose work has achieved a high level of quality. And, I hope, encourages those who did not make the show to coldly look at their work in relation to those who made the show, personalities aside, and in relation to the above aesthetic criteria, and learn from it - knowing that juried exhibitions, even though they can be learned from, are not a good way to judge your progress as an artist. I feel honored to be asked to be the sole juror for this fine exhibition, and say 'thank you' to those volunteers who so thoughtfully helped me, and to remind all of us that there would be no exhibition without the volunteers.
 
Alex Powers
Myrtle Beach, SC
 

ABOUT THE JUROR