The Heartland Artists Gallery is gearing up for their 31st Annual Juried Regional Art Exhibit that showcases the area’s most talented and creative artists from Northern Indiana and surrounding states. From September 27th to November 1st, dreamy watercolors and pastels, bold oils and acrylics, unique sculptures, brilliant stained glass and fiber arts, textural mixed media and much more will make up this year’s exhibit of nearly one hundred sixty pieces of artwork. Artists and art lovers alike will certainly see that this year’s show is brimming with technical talent, wide-ranging subject matter, and thought-provoking creativity.
The 2019 Fall Show’s judge, Ejenobo “Jena” Oke, is a fiber artist and associate professor of Art at Manchester University. Her works range from loom-controlled weavings to batik quilts to sculptures that incorporate ceramics, paper, felt and basketry materials. Oke received her B.A. in Art from Manchester (College) University (1997) and her M.F.A. in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University (2001). She currently teaches courses in studio art and art history and serves as the Director of Galleries and Chair of the Department of Art at Manchester University.
Ms. Oke says about this year’s exhibit: “I truly wish [the Gallery] would have let me pick more works to award! What an incredible show!!! I see pieces that make my heart ache, pieces that make the teacher in me want to crow with pride, and pieces that make me proud to be a member of this amazing grouping of people we call “Artists.” That so much beauty and expression of humanity takes place in your lives is a testament to the good you do in this world. Congratulations to All.”
Ten Awards will be given to the following artists on Saturday October 5, at 3PM at the Gallery in Downtown Plymouth. There will be a Community Open House from 1-4 with refreshments and opportunities to meet the artists. The winners are: Best of Show – “Daylily”, by Ann Lebryk; First Place – “Sweet Temptation” by Marilyn Kruger; Second Place – “Sisters” by Gerrie Govert; and Third Place – “Lost Memories Found” by Todd Hoover. Creativity Awards include: “Growth” by Stephanie McDairmant and “Needle & Thread” by Sarah Luginbill. Merit Awards include: “In Circle Agate” by Mary Szymczak; “Chip-a-monk” by Kathleen Ward; “Our Place Among the Stars” by Julie Becker; and “They Say I Look Like Van Gogh When I’m Drunk” by Avon Waters. The Popular Choice award, to be determined by votes from the public, will be given to the chosen artist at the end of the show on November 1st.
Anna Kietzman, President of the Heartland Artists, says about this year’s exhibit: “Each fall, we eagerly anticipate what our area’s finest visual artists will create and submit. We are blown away by both the number of submissions this year and the quality of the artwork. Every time I walk through the exhibit (and that’s a lot!) I notice something new. I see something that stops me in my tracks and captivates me. It’s that good of a show. I think that many folks tend to associate quality artwork with big cities or established art communities, like in Michigan, but we have unbelievable talent right here in Northern Indiana. We’re putting Plymouth and Marshall County on the map for arts and culture and the Gallery is excited to be able to support these fantastic artists and for the public to see this exhibit.”
As a nonprofit arts organization, the Gallery relies on sponsors and members of the community to support our largest exhibit of the year and we are grateful to the following sponsors of this year’s exhibit: The Gibson Foundation, Marcia Price Art Fund, CTE Solutions, Beacon Credit Union, Ren & Beverly Van Gilder, and Fernbaugh’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. We thank you for supporting not only this exhibit, but for helping bring art to our community.
The Gallery’s mission is to support area artists; to bring and teach the arts to our community. Our nonprofit gallery gives area artists a venue to show and sell their art. Our art classes fulfill our mission for educating and the classes assist in our financial means to maintain the Gallery. For more information visit www.heartlandartgallery.com or Facebook or call 574.936.9515. The location is 101 N. Michigan St., Downtown Plymouth. Gallery hours are Tues. – Sat. 10-4 and Sundays 1-4 in the month of October.
