Art Valet: the ballots are in and the juror has spoken

From the top decending down, featured artist and their works for art show #Galveston, Delton Gerdes; Dawna Hasara with White Oleander; Ron Wooten with Time Traveler; George Covingtonwith Wild Ride. Contributed Photo

When you pursue a goal, often you end up doing things you never expected to do. Recently, I had the honor (or horror) of being invited to be the sole juror for an art show, and though I’ve done this before, I’m always surprised by the invite.

If you’re scratching your head, let me explain. Art galleries and other art organizations send out a call for art, generally with specific criteria they are seeking, like Texas artists, work done within a certain time frame, 2D works depicting a theme; in this case, Galveston.

To ease the burden of the selection process and more likely to drum up additional attention, a well-known or prestigious member(s) of the community or art world is invited to select the art to be displayed.

For this Galveston themed show there were about 150 entries that had to be narrowed down to 70 works. I take this very seriously, hence my earlier horror comment. To ease the the minds of those rejected, I wrote a statement about my process. That really boiled down to my personal experiences with the island.

“This was a particularly difficult show to jury,” I said. “There were a high number of amazing pieces that didn’t make the cut, and that was probably more due to my vision of the theme and limited entries allowed, than whether or not I liked the art.”

There you go, I’ve reached the pinnacle of success, I am invited to important positions in the art world, as well as quoting myself in my own newspaper column. Good thing I’m going to Galveston for the show this weekend, sounds like I may need a break … from myself.

Affaire d’Art presents #galveston. A juried show and competition that features 70 Texas artists whose work depicts their version of Galveston’s beaches, wildlife, community, neighborhoods, history, architecture and more. Prizes will be awarded by yours truly for first, second, third, and honorable mention.

#Galveston takes place from 6 -10 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Affaire d’Art, 2227 Post Office St, Ste B, Galveston, TX 77550. Visit affairedart.com.

In Houston Saturday evening, Hardy & Nance Studios and HomeAid Houston host “Home is Where the Art Is” Silent Auction benefiting HomeAid Houston in conjunction with Hardy & Nance Third Saturday Open Studios. The event is 5 – 9 p.m. at Hardy & Nance Studios, 902 Hardy Street.

Participating artists donate their choice of 25%, 50% or 100% from the highest bid sale on their art. In addition to art, auction items include Apple TV, purse by Elizabeth Purpich Collection, a chocolate fountain and gift baskets from local retailers.

Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the new Market at Sawyer Yards, find him at ArtValet.com