NORMAN, OKLA. –The third National Weather Center Biennale, which opened April 23, 2017 at 1:00pm is a breathtaking show. Five winners were chosen with a total of $26,000 in prizes.
Juror Joe Goode made brief remarks when announcing the awards, reminding artists that they should all be proud to have been selected for this competitive exhibition. Also to remember that his is only one opinion, and there are many directions the awards could have gone. His primary interest in selecting the awards was to recognize artists who are using their materials in an innovative way, or who took creative interpretations of the theme.
This year’s best of show award went to Artemis Herber, of Maryland. Her works are made mostly of cardboard and recyclable products. Meteorite features an incorporated black rock. Herber receives $10,000 in prize money for her work.
Best of Photography award went to Saskia Vaughan of Texas. Vaughan is a dentist by trade and uses photography as an artistic release.
Best of Painting award went to Lex Halakan of Florida. His works are an emotional connection to the sky and sea focusing on oils and pastels.
Best of Mixed Media award went to Jean M. Judd of Wisconsin. Judd’s work is stitched thread on rust pigmented textile. Her quilt captured times gone by.
Each of the category winners received $5,000 in prize money.
This year an award for People’s Choice was given to the work with the most votes from the public. Judith Brandon of Ohio won the $1,000 prize. Brandon is best known for her interpretations of planetary events.
“The weekend was filled with weather and art and what a wonderful weekend it was.,” said Dr. Berrien Moore III, Director of the National Weather Center. “We were happy to host 33 artist from all around the United States. We heard stories of artist reconnecting as well as new friendships forming and that’s why we do this show. Weather brings people together.”
The Biennale exhibition of selected works, including the prizewinners, officially opened on April 23, 2017 and will close June 19, 2017. Additional information about the exhibition is available at www.nwcbiennale.org and the biennale’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The National Weather Center’s website is www.nwcnorman.org; the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art’s website is www.ou.edu/fjjma and the Norman Arts Council’s website is www.normanarts.org.
