A total of 190 entries were received from 103 artists. From those, 60 paintings from 45 artists were chosen for the Exhibition.  As expected, the quality of the entries was exceptional.

JUROR STATEMENT 2019 NC Statewide Show  Lyn Asselta:

“As a juror, there are several things that I feel contribute to the makings of an exceptional show. First and foremost, I look for originality, both in content and composition. I look for works that have an emotional quality to them. I look for works that are technically well presented but that go beyond technical perfection. I was pleased to find in this group of entries, paintings that were exciting, intriguing and that begged me to look closer.

“For those artists whose work was chosen, I offer my congratulations and I am pleased to have had the honor of selecting your work. I hope you are pleased, too, with the works that will hang beside yours in this show.

“For each and every artist who entered paintings, I offer my congratulations, as well. It is a feat of courage to enter a show and the confidence to do so only comes after the hard work of pushing yourself to greater heights with your work. In a field of many outstanding entries, there is always a limit to how many can be chosen. If 60 are chosen, you will never know if you were the 61st. I have long believed that those near misses are the fuel that makes us want to be better, to learn more, to put even more of our hearts into our paintings.

“To all the artists and to the coordinators of this statewide exhibit, thank you for entrusting me to this task. My hope is that the show will be an inspiring example of what can be achieved with our wonderful, unique medium of pastel.”

Congratulations to all whose artwork will be included!  Below is a list of the accepted entries.

The opening reception and presentation of awards will be in the gallery with the show Saturday, May 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. at the Hickory Museum of Art, 243 Third Ave, NE, Hickory, NC 28601.  Driving directions at http://hickoryart.org/.  Lyn Asselta, show juror, will be joining us for the reception. We hope you will be able to attend. If not, we encourage you to view the show during its stay.  Gallery hours are posted on the HMA website.

The 2019 NC Statewide Pastel Exhibition will run from May 4 to August 18, 2019at the Hickory Museum of Art

Lyn Asselta (juror) will conduct a live painting demonstration from 1pm till 4 pm on May 4th. The Demo will be in the Education Classroom area of the Museum.  Information about this Demo, and online registration are available on the APS website… mid-way down the home page., www.appalachianpastelsociety.org.  Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door.