'Uncommon' Contest
A closing reception for "Uncommon Merits" features an open art contest
The Taber Art Gallery will be holding a closing reception for its current group exhibit celebrating the non-traditional milestones in life that are often overlooked.
The "Uncommon Merits & Awards Art Exhibition" runs through Thursday, Oct. 25, and features the work of 18 New England artists who answered an open call for submissions.
The closing reception will begin at 6:45 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 25.
All the participating artists will receive "uncommon" prizes for their entries, said gallery director Amy Johnquest.
"We all know it is standard to win prizes for anything from best in show to a commendation for valor on the battlefield," said Johnquest, who co-curated the show with artist Jill St. Croeur of Florence, Mass. "In this exhibition, New England artists have created work in both 2-D and 3-D media, inventing new ways to recognize activities and behaviors that may have heretofore gone unnoticed."
The gallery will also be awarding one lucky person a $50 gift certificate to The Guild Art Supply store in Northampton. The contest is open to anyone.
Create your entry by picking up either a large or small sized certificate blank located at the interactive piece inside the Taber Art Gallery. Create your own version of an uncommon merit or award. The finished award must be posted at the gallery (on the bulletin board provided) by 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 to be entered into the contest. Be sure to include your name and e-mail address on the back of the entry.
The winner will be announced at the closing party. Johnquest said the judges are looking for witty creations on the theme of the show.
The contributing artists are: Robert Markey, Ashfield (sculpture); Elizabeth Solomon, Florence (sculpture); Jan Whitaker, Northampton (fiber); Darlene Duncan, Springfield (sculpture); Bruce Ackerson, Northampton (painting); Elizabeth Wilkinson, New Bedford (digital printing); Nan Fleming, Williamsburg (mixed media sculpture); Marta Rudolph, Northampton (mixed media sculpture); Maryanne Benns, Chicopee (mixed media sculpture); Alison Palaia, Norwalk, Conn. (mixed media); Lyn Horan, Holyoke (sculpture); Amy Dame, Easthampton (fiber); Perry Carter, Northampton (painting); Stacy Waldman, Easthampton, in collaboration with Amy Johnquest, Holyoke (mixed media wall installation); Jill St. Coeur, Florence (fiber and drawings); Dean Nimmer, Holyoke (mixed media sculpture); and Bruce Fowler, Holyoke (mixed media sculpture).
The Taber Art Gallery at HCC is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during regular school sessions. It is free and open to the public and located through the HCC Campus Library lobby on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke.
For more information, please contact Amy Johnquest, director of the Taber Art Gallery, at 413.552.2614.
PHOTOS: (Thumbnail) "Pat-on-the-Head for Intuitive Fortune," by Maryanne Benns of Chicopee. (Above). "A Swim in Ashfield Lake," by Nan Fleming of Williamsburg.
