Hello, everyone. June has been quite a month for art shows and festivals, so there are lots of winners to share — and more festivals are on the horizon.
I was invited to judge a photography show and jury an art show this month. Let me explain the difference. In judging, the entries have already been accepted and the judge or judging panel must come to an agreement on first, second, third and best in show
A juried show — and this also includes many art festivals — tasks the juror or jury to first select which entries will be included in the exhibit or event. Then, it requires them to evaluate which will receive awards — a serious responsibility for all involved.
Every year, Scene Magazine receives tens of thousands of nominations and votes to help Clevelanders find the best of the best in Northeast Ohio. The 2025 results are in. Here are the winners in Best Artist: Eileen Dorsey, first place; Adeline Thompson, second place; and Grace Frank, third place.
Winners of the Best Art Gallery are 78th Street Studios, first place; Negative Space Studio and Gallery, second place; and Willoughby’s own Stella’s Art Gallery, third place.
Log on to clevescene.com for the complete list of winners.
On to the results of our local shows.
Stella’s Art Gallery
The June show, “Landscapes: Real or Fantasy,” opened on June 13 with an awards reception complete with a full house and live music at Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave. The event also included the opening of “The Art of Stillness” by Jennifer Vincik in the Annex Gallery.
“Landscapes” received a record 117 entries, resulting in only 40 percent of the artwork being juried into the show. I served as juror and judge, spending more than three hours reviewing, comparing, eliminating and awarding the artworks included in the show. There are many powerful pieces, and being selected was an honor in and of itself. Very good pieces were eliminated due to the caliber of the competition and exhibit space.
The show was divided into “Fantasy” and “Real.” Congratulations to the Best in Show winner, Carol Agnew.
The winners in “Fantasy” are Noah Astrup, first place; RAMA, second place; and Jason Lubowski, third place.
The winners in “Real” are David Simmerer, first place; Tanya Briscoeth, second place; and David Simmerer, third place.
The show includes a variety of media, and things are not always what they seem. For example, ‘Stones’ by David Simmerer appears to be a photograph, but it is not. It is an extremely well-handled watercolor!
Please take your time wandering through the landscape scenes and cast your vote for the People’s Choice award. I’m sure not all agree with my decisions, so please choose your favorite.
It’s time to start working on the July competition, “The Opposite Show.” Explore duality in this challenging theme where the only requirement is that your piece clearly represents a pairing of opposites. Day vs. night, up vs. down and so on. Interpretations can be literal, symbolic, conceptual or emotional — whatever floats your boat … or sinks it. All media are welcome.
Entries will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 1, 2 and 5 and from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on July 3. The awards reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 11. Call 440-266-9111 or visit stellasartgallery.com for complete details.
Lake Metroparks
The 38th annual Amateur Photography Contest presented by Lake Metroparks is on display through Aug. 3 in Forest Hall at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland
The panel of judges included Joseph John, Black & White Photography; Roni Leatherman, Roni Leatherman Photography; and yours truly.
For those who enjoy numbers, there were 165 entries submitted by 65 participants, of which 10 were juniors — 14 or younger. The exciting part was that 29 had never entered the photo contest before!
The Best in Show winner in the Adult Division is Doug Wilson.
The winners in “Landmarks of Lake Metroparks”: Christy Buser, first place; Sebastian Knez, second place; Gary Dell, third place; and Stewart Unsdorfer and Anthony Gazso, honorable mentions.
The winners in “Lake Erie” are Gary Dell, first place; Stewart Unsdorfer, second place; Randy Zilenziger, third place; and Nic Cassell-Greene, Brenda Traffis and Daryl Thomas, honorable mentions.
The winners in “Floral” are Moe Whitehouse, first place; Earl Linaburg, second place; Donna Crooks, third place; and Christy Buser, Rob Lewis, Emma Melaragno and Diana Guttu, honorable mentions.
The winners in “Landscape” are Denyse Kerr, first place; Stewart Unsdorfer, second place; Brenda Traffis, third place; and Patricia L. Meyer, Karen Barzal and Melanie Foster, honorable mentions.
The winners in “Wildlife” are Alexis Lawer, first place; Evan Brzeczkowski, second place; Earl Linaburg, third place; and honorable mentions to Katie Reynolds, Linda Kelley, Moe Whitehouse, Tammy Mellert, and Randy Zilenziger.
The winners in “Black & White” are Doug Wilson, first place; Anthony Gazso, second place; Jim Legat, third place; and Evan Brzeczkoswski, Alexis Lawer and Daryl Thomas, honorable mentions.
The Junior Division was composed of all the aforementioned categories judged as one group. The winners are Evan Engelking, first place and Best in Show; Indigo Edwards, second place; Desmond Cook, third place; and Annie Reynolds, Addy Nowacki (3), Evan Engelking, Abby Bonk, and James Komaromy, honorable mentions.
This is a beautiful show. Please check it out. There is a People’s Choice to vote for and five display cases highlighting antique and vintage cameras and memorabilia on loan from the private collection of Michael Pittenger, who has been collecting them for over 35 years.
For more information, call 440-256-1404, ext. 2123, or visit lakemetroparks.com.
Cleveland Museum of Art shows off ‘Art and Stories From Mughal India’
Valley Art Center
This year’s incarnation recently held, Art by Falls is presented by the Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls. It is a highly competitive fine arts festival celebrating its 41st year. The winners are recognized by their booth display as well as the artwork presented.
Congratulations to this year’s Best in Show winner, Robert Lagestee. The winners in 2D are Michael Miller, first place; Joel Fremion, second place; and Davis King, third place.
The winners in 3D are James Wilbat, first place; Alison Lowery, second place; and Tim Niewiaski, third place.
Honorable mentions were presented to Cathleen Mazur, Michelene Thompson, and Jennifer Armstrong.
Art by the Falls had a record 161 vendor booths this year. For more information about the event and summer class schedule, visit valleyartcenter.org or call 440-247-7507.
Wildwood Cultural Center
The Wildwood Arts & Wine Fest will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on June 21 at the Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor. Admission is $2 for those 9 and older, with 8 and under coming in for free.
For more information, call Wildwood Cultural Center at 440-974-5735.
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