Texas City Painter Wins Best of Show in Galveston Art League Contest by:Mary Vinnedge

Eddie Filer of Texas City was awarded Best of Show for the portrait “Vincent” in the Galveston Art League’s Spring 2019 Juried Show. Houston artist Shirley Moore Leago served as judge for the competition, which occurred April 30.
     The Galveston Art League is currently exhibiting Filer’s painting along with 127 additional 2- and 3-D works of art that were accepted into the show (out of 159 total entries). Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays; this exhibit will end May 26. It’s always interesting to check out the award winners and see whether you agree with the judge. Most pieces are for sale.
The Galveston Art League holds three juried shows each year – winter, spring, and fall. But do you know what the term “juried show” means? It’s defined as a show at which exhibiting artists are required to present their work to one or more “jurors,” or judges, who select the artworks that will be allowed into the show.
     Of course, each hosting organization has its own set of criteria for competitions. The Galveston Art League uses one judge who receives an honorarium for his or her service. GAL requires that artists must be at least 15 years old to compete and allows a maximum of three entries per person. The judging is “blind,” meaning that the artists’ names are covered so the judge doesn’t know who executed the work.
    The Art League has five entry categories: works on canvas or board, works on paper, photography, 2-D mixed-media such as collage, and 3-D such as sculpture, pottery, and art dolls. The judge determines Best of Show, first- and second-place, and honorable mentions in each category with six or more entries. Award recipients – especially Best of show winners like Filer – benefit from having juried-show awards to list in their resumes.   
    Galveston Art League members pay $15 each for their first two entries and $5 for a third. Nonmembers pay $20 per entry. (Click on www.GalvestonArtLeague.com/join.html for membership information; memberships are tax-deductible.)
    The Art League posts a prospectus that contains full details about its upcoming juried shows in the black sidebar on the website homepage – the entry form, judge, framing requirements, and other important information. Sharon Jones, the Art League’s exhibition director, finds the judges and creates the prospectus. (If you have questions or know of a qualified judge, call her at 409-682-3515.)
    Juried shows represent a major part of the Galveston Art League’s mission. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1914 to promote the visual arts and arts education. To become a sponsor of a GAL event, exhibit, or activity, please call 409-938-1671.
    For more information about the Galveston Art League, please visit www.GalvestonArtLeague.com or email [email protected].
    (written by Mary Vinnedge)

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