Poet George Herbert, in his work "The Temple, The Church, The Flower," wrote "And now in age, I bud again." That thought was generously on display last Sunday at Durant Recreation Center in Alexandria during a reception and awards ceremony for the 22nd Annual Juried Art Show, "Young At Art."
Under the co-sponsorship of Senior Services of Alexandria and Goodwin House Foundation, the event showcased the works of 48 artists in a variety of creative mediums including photography. Of the 60 pieces on display three received top honors and five others honorable mention.
First Place went to Susan Walen for her multi-colored quilt entitled "Homage to Donna." Richard Whiteley's acrylic painting, "South Street," which depicted a scene from Easton, Md., captured second place. And, Stephen Hung, a resident of Frederick, Md., took third place honors for his photograph, "Misty Great Falls."
In addition to having their works on display each of the three top winners received cash awards of $150 for first place; $125 for second place; and $100 for third place. The five honorable mention designees each received a $25 cash award. Each year individual works are submitted in a wide range of mediums including oil, acrylic, water color, paper, textile, sculpture, and photography.
Honorable mentions went to Helen Dilley Barsalou's water color "Autumn Foothills;" J. Fenimore Elliott's photo portrait, "Samarkand Historian;" Darlene Kaplan's Chinese Brush painting, "Peacocks at the Roast;" Mona Kauppinen's pastel, "Firedancer;" and Peggy Wagner's water color "School's Out."
Jurors for the show were Lynda Smith-Bugge and Pauline McDaniels, directors of the art centers at Goodwin House Alexandria and Bailey's Crossroads, respectively. Smith-Bugge is a sculptor who has exhibited locally as well as in New York City and Sante Fe. McDaniels is a published writer, artist, actress, singer, and teacher. She taught art and drama locally for more than 20 years.
"No two shows are ever alike. We started with 100 plus submissions and from that evolved a theme and the works that best suited that theme," McDaniels explained to the assembled crowd of artists, family, friends and art lovers.
"It's not about promoting the best works. It's about promoting all of you. We hope this exhibit encourages each of you. Do not stop creating," she said.
"As an artist, myself, I often wonder why a particular piece gets chosen and another doesn't. It has to do with many factors and not necessarily the quality of one piece over another," Smith-Bugge said.
That advice not to stop creating was taken to heart by Mike Martinez, a resident of Soldier's Home in the District of Columbia whose painting of an American Indian Kachina Doll entitled "Big Horn Hunter" was on display. "I've been painting since I was a little boy, but didn't actually get serious until I was 29 years old," he said.
"I was born and raised in the Southwest but didn't really start painting about that area until I came east. I will be showing my work at Gallery West since the Soldiers Home doesn't really lend itself to being a good display locale," Martinez said.
Hung has been an active photographer since high school but didn't get serious about his talent until five years ago. "I like to hike and I'm really a nature photographer," he said standing next to another of his photographs entitled "Morning Catch," which focused on a large heron with a fish in its beak.
Another photo artist, Betty Baumgartner, had captured a "Rehobeth Sunrise" which was hung for the show. "I find the sunrise at Rehobeth always beautiful, even when it’s raining. I've been on the beach with my camera dressed in rain gear," she said.
"But, I'm old fashioned, I always work with film — never digital. My first camera was the old box camera. I like the feel of film and I find that the color is much better," Baumgartner said.
Jenkins works in oil. She had a landscape on display entitled "Monongahela Forest" depicting the Monongahela River flowing through a mountainous area of West Virginia.
"Our artists range in age from their mid fifties to late eighties," said Janet Barnett, executive director, SSA. The oldest artist displaying in this show is 88-year-old Annie King Phillips. Her entrant is a paper collage entitled, "A Froggie Would A Wooing Go."
Supporting partners in presenting "Young At Art" include: The Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Alexandria Commission on Aging, The Campagna Center, Friends of the Torpedo Art Center, and Retired and Senior Volunteers Program. The exhibit is on display at the Durant Center until Oct. 24.