Oscars 101

By  Susan Russell

As Juror of the Grace College Student Art Show 2014, I found the quality and variety of work presented to be outstanding, making the jurying process both a joy and a challenge. With six categories of entries (Painting, Drawing, Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration, & 3D), there were more than enough works deserving of awards!

In choosing “the best of the best,” I looked at the overall success of each piece, determined by a combination of several criteria, which each of the winning pieces exemplified.

1. Design: The immediate visual impact of each piece; how this was carried out through well-thought-out composition, often including simplification or stylization of form, manipulation, abstraction, and/or repetition of form, with careful attention to color, contrast, detail, and balance.

2. Craftsmanship: The best works showed a consistently high level of workmanship and presentation throughout the entire piece.

3. Innovation: I was delighted to find many of these young artists taking risks in the use of unexpected materials, as well as finding fresh methods of handling familiar media. Innovation was also evidenced by a uniquely personal vision or perspective.

4. Communication: Fine art goes beyond “craft” in that it is a way of speaking. The winning works had to show the strength of the artist’s ability to communicate (concept, idea, mood) through their chosen medium, to the viewer.

So, to the “best of the best,” including all of the top-notch Grace College art students represented in this show, I would like to thank you for the pleasure of jurying your work, and may you continue to make your voice heard in the art world and beyond.