Holiday Exhibition …2020 Style
I hope at least a few of you were able to visit the recent Annual Holiday Exhibition which ran from November 28 through December 31, 2020. It was held at River Art Gallery and Gifts in North Tonawanda, NY. This was a live exhibit which is something special these days with so many arts events having to be virtual. Of course, masks and limited attendance were the order of the day. Nonetheless, it was a “real” show with real art physically on display. Something to be excited about during these strange times.
There were a great number of pieces in all manner of styles and subject matter. Some were traditionally realistic and others totally abstract. Media ranged from pastels and oils to fiber and found objects. Such an eclectic mix can make a juried show like this very challenging to judge and curate. But as you can see from the online tour (still viewable on Youtube), the presentation and display of the work came off beautifully. By searching “River Art Gallery” on Youtube, you can find this show as well as a previous exhibition for your viewing pleasure.
Though billed as a “holiday” show, accepted artwork didn’t have to be holiday themed specifically, and indeed the vast majority of it wasn’t. But either way, this annual event added to the festivities of the season. I was flattered that one of my two sculptures in the show was awarded honorable mention. As noted above, there was a diverse mix of styles on display, and this was reflected in the awards too. Some of the top awards went to stylized pieces, and some to more traditional works.
In summary, this was an enjoyable, entertaining, and refreshing treat for the senses during a time when we could all use a little more of that. River Gallery has a way of consistently providing such delights to the art community.