Jurying 101
New mixed media small works—12" x 12" each.
Ever wonder how art show jurors are selected and how they come up with their decisions? I always wondered myself until I was asked to be a juror last month. First, I am sure this process varies for every show, every sponsoring agency, and every jury. But you have to start somewhere. I was asked by the Hopkins Center for the Arts to serve as one of two award jurors for their annual Members Nonjuried Exhibition. Yeah, there was no jurying for entry—any member of the center could submit one work, and it would be accepted. Jurying was a second phase—to determine 12 monetary award winners. For me (and probably for the participating artists), this was an ideal first jurying experience. At least no one was left out of the show because of my opinion! And the awards were nice but not big bucks. This was not a life or death experience, for me or the artists. Or my fellow juror. Actually it was a great experience, for me.
Our process: we walked around the exhibition, noting works that immediately grabbed our attention or ultimately stood out for one reason or another. We “tagged” our favorites with colored post-its. There were some works that we both tagged. That was the easy part. Then we talked about our “whys” – emotional impact, use of color or shading or texture, composition, creativity….not from the perspective of what they teach in art school (actually I have no idea), but from our personal responses to the work. And as we narrowed it down to 12, we talked to each other about our “whys.” Once we had our dozen, we had to assign specific awards (three levels plus one best of show). More talking. More looking. More consensus building. We were relieved to have completed our task—only to learn that we would need to talk about each award-winning work at the reception.
We split the list. We made a few comments that reflected our deliberations. No one booed or seemed distraught during the presentation. Some even commented positively about our efforts. It helped a great deal to have a compatible co-conspirator. No real arguing. No real bargaining. Actually it was fun. But I’m not ready to be the gatekeeper for a truly juried exhibition. (This exhibit by the way is open through May 17 and I think it is a very cool collection of work from about 140 artists of all backgrounds. See below.)
The Whirl of Art in May
I think May is always my busiest month at the studio with the annual Art-a-Whirl® fast approaching (May 16-18) – almost as fast as the tulips burst into bloom and tree pollen showering the yards and walks. I was busy creating new work in March and April. Now I won’t likely pull out a new canvas before Memorial Day as I hurry to put a coat of varnish on those new paintings, ponder how to hang more work without suggesting a hoarding disorder, keep up with social media posts, and conjure titles for new work. (I refuse to call anything “untitled” although I understand why that is so tempting.) And meanwhile the normal life of a studio artist won’t stop just because Art-a-Whirl is coming—juried shows have deadlines in May, supplies that dwindled during the winter need replacing, and websites always need updating. Fortunately, June and July tend to be a little slow. Summer can be a perfect time to try out some new materials and ideas. Once I clean up from Art-a-Whirl.
“Title IX" 20 x 16, mixed media on narrow canvas.
Open Studios—Art-a-Whirl Preview and the Big Weekend!
Casket Arts Art-a-Whirl Preview/Second Saturday, May 10, 11 am – 4 pm. My favorite Second Saturday is our Art-a-Whirl Preview, one week before the big weekend. I pretty much have everything ready for Art-a-Whirl and the studio might never be this clean for the rest of the year. And I will have live music in my studio. Pianist and composer Mary Louise Knutson will return at 1 pm for a set of solo jazz that for sure will include some original compositions. And a special treat—her former piano student Will Gannon returns for a second set at around 2:30 pm. Will played in the studio before while still in high school, and now he returns after finishing his first year at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. As for the main attraction (I hope), fresh art, I’ll have most of my new work from winter and spring on display, including a new set of small mixed media works on wood panels (see top images) and new acrylic and mixed media paintings in both my Urban Abstractions and Imaginary Landscape series. There will be sets of notecards and some new Artworks Flower Pots in both large and small sizes. I’ve also added some new 16 x 20 abstract paintings on narrow canvas at very affordable prices ($95) – see “Title IX” above. I expect many studios will be open for this AAW Preview, but parking should be easy. This is a good chance to check out original art without the crowds of Art-a-Whirl. (Northrup King, California, and some of the other studio centers in Northeast Minneapolis will also be open.) 681-17th Av NE, Mpls.
30th Annual Art-a-Whirl®, May 16-18, throughout the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Hours: Friday 5-10 pm; Saturday Noon-8 pm; Sunday Noon – 5 pm. This year marks the 30th annual studio crawl throughout the NE arts district, the largest such event in the U.S. and frequently rated among the top three open studio events in the country as well. Sponsored by the Northeast Minneapolis Artists Association (NEMAA), the event typically draws over 30-50,000 art hounds visiting over 600 artists in studio buildings and private studios throughout the area. Again NEMAA will offer a trolley route connecting the major buildings to help ease traffic and parking. At Casket Arts, we will have food trucks daily; live music in the 4th floor lounge (Blues and Americana on Friday night, jazz on Saturday); beverages from Corner Coffee’s cart on first floor; chocolates from Groveland Chocolates, also first floor. Various studios will host guest artists and art demos, and again Casket will host the Speakeasy Fundraiser for the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District with a bar with craft cocktails in the lower level. And of course there will be lots of art in all mediums. Studio 218 will be open for all hours. Visit www.nemaa.org for maps, artist directory, and more information.
On Exhibit
Hopkins Center for the Arts Annual Members’ Nonjuried Exhibition, through May 17. A very eclectic and serious showing of works from 140+ artist members of the Hopkins center, I had the pleasure of serving as an Awards juror (see above). A lot of established artists from the metro area belong to Hopkins, as well as many up-and-comers. All mediums are represented and it’s hard to remember that there was no jurying for entry. Any member could submit one work. The show covers the entirety of exhibit space (one smallish gallery and the long hallways of first and second floor) and as always, Visual Arts Manager Jim Clark has done a masterful job of hanging this large and diverse collection. Although I had to recues myself from the awards, I was able to submit one work, “Tipping Point.” 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins; gallery open daily; www.hopkinsartscenter.com
“Tipping Point,” 30 x 40 mixed media.
Supercharged Printmakers, “Dot, Dot, Dot” at Casket Arts #119, through May 30. This large printmaking studio in the Casket Arts Buliding often holds juried exhibits, particularly in conjunction with building events like Art-a-Whirl. “Dot,Dot,Dot” is the theme with no specifics as to what that means—open to the artist’s interpretation. The exhibit will be open during Second Saturday and Art-a-Whirl. I am pleased to have figured out something for this theme—my acrylic painting “April Snow” is included. Casket Arts #119, 681 17th Av NE, Minneapolis; www.superchargedprintmakers.com
Burl Gallery, Artistic Kaleidoscope Cycle III, through May 31. Each year this gallery presents juried exhibits based on a general theme that encourages diverse submissions. 2025’s theme, “Artistic Kaleidoscope,” encompasses “transformation through perspective,” “ever-changing possibilities,” “diversity and complexity,” “creativity and imagination,” and “the initiative to sustain beauty”…. “the kaleidoscope is a metaphor for art.” I am pleased that my acrylic mixed media “Classified Documents” was selected for this show. 308 Prince Street, St Paul (Lowertown), www.burlartgallery.org
Visit Studio 218!
I know my mailing list is filled with people who love art and hate crowds and slow traffic. Actually I am one of those people myself. With Art-a-Whirl coming, I suggest to those who fit that description—come to Second Saturday on May 10. You can still decide to check out Art-a-Whirl the next weekend. And if you are crazy busy this month, remember that our Second Saturdays are every month! I will be open on June 14 and August 9. Note I will not be open July 12 (photographing the Northfield Jazz Fest). However, I am in town most of the summer and happy to set up a time for you to visit the studio. Visits are not limited to actual shopping for a purchase—come for fun! Check out what I am doing, let’s chat about art, maybe talk about a commission if you have something in mind. Or just catch up. It’s a nice setting to have coffee! (And air conditioned in Studio 218!)
Andrea
612-501-8812
andreacanterartworks@gmail.com
Andrea Canter
Artist and Owner
andreacanterartworks.com
Andrea Canter Artworks
The Casket Arts Building
681 17th Ave NE, Studio 218
Minneapolis, MN 55413