Eugene Weekly : Eugene Celebration : 8.25.11

Eugene Celebration 2011:

It’s Good to be Queen Life in the slime-light with Eugene’s new Slug Queen

Reject Roundup Eugene Celebration’s “other” art show

Piercy’s Picks and More Eugene’s most mayoral art show

Ride Your Bike and Share It, Too B-cycling to save the planet and pocket book

Bed-Hur Drag-racing beds through the streets of Eugene

 

Piercy’s Picks and More
Eugene’s most mayoral art show

Like the Pet Parade and complaining about cost of admission, the Mayor’s Art Show is a Eugene Celebration tradition. No, it doesn’t mean the walls of the Jacobs Gallery will be covered with Kitty Piercy’s watercolors — the Mayor’s Art Show is a juried selection of work by some of Lane County’s finest visual artists.

“Zoe” by Caire Flint

“It’s a cool community event and it’s good exposure,” says photographer Claire Flint, who has displayed work in the show for two years running. 

This year, three jurors from the community selected the work of 46 artists from a pool of 270 entries. “Anyone can enter who is 18 or older,” says Jacobs Gallery director Beverly Soasey. “The goal is to select quality work, but the goal is to also try and get a variety and balance. We’re looking for a mix.” 

There are no stipulations for style, medium or form when evaluating entries, Soasey explains. “I’m really amazed these are all people from the area, really nice work,” she says of this year’s show.

The opening ceremonies will be held in the Hult Center lobby at 5:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 25 and will feature the music of Mood Area 52 as well as an appearance by Mayor Piercy. Local arts journalist and arts consultant Fred Crafts will be master of ceremonies at both the opening reception and awards presentation. Cash prizes will go to the three Juror’s Choice and Best of Show awards, while non-cash prizes will go to recipients of the Mayor’s Choice, the Director’s Choice and the Jacobs Gallery Board President Choice awards.  

Starting opening night, the community can vote for favorite pieces, and the Viewer’s Choice award will be presented at the First Friday Art Walk Sept. 2 at the Jacobs Gallery. 

The Mayor’s Art Show runs Aug. 25 through Oct. 8, in the Jacobs Gallery at the Hult Center. — William Kennedy