The Occupation by Anders Shafer

On Thursday, February 23, local artists and art enthusiasts gathered for the artist reception of Wisconsin ArtsWest, the thirty-eighth annual juried art exhibit sponsored by the library.

The first ArtsWest show opened in September 1979. With ArtsWest Two in April 1981, it became a spring show and has been held annually since then. Since its inception, ArtsWest has provided a venue for thousands of artists to exhibit their talent and creativity, as well as the opportunity for everyone in the community to experience and support the arts in a uniquely personal way.

This year, 84 artists from 22 communities submitted 150 works to be judged for entry into the show. The juror for the exhibit is David H. Wells, the Director of the Edgewood College Art Gallery and collections and an independent community-based curator in Madison, Wisconsin.

Cash awards for the artists were initiated in 1984. Prizes for ArtsWest 38 were selected in person by the juror prior to the artist reception held on Thursday, February 23. The exhibit may be viewed at the library through March 31 during regular library hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. A virtual gallery and program are also available on our website. Let us know what you think!

The prize winners are:

Best of Show
Anders Shafer, Eau Claire
The Occupation

First Prize
Lukas Carlson, Eau Claire
Carlos G. Garcia-Ruiz 

Second Prize
Ann Lawton, River Falls
Chasing Sleep

Third Prize
Tiffany Lange, Menomonie
Cookie Cutter

Honorable mention was given to:

Mark Anderson, Eau Claire
Artist’s Studio Apartment

Daniel Atyim, Eau Claire
Between the Mounds

Debra Ferries, Eau Claire
Borrego Blooms

Mary Jo Fox, Willard
Three Sunflowers 

Mary Hermanson, Eleva
Black and White Lace

Gail Schellinger, Eau Claire
Struck by Lightening

Sandra Starck, Eau Claire
Ms. Jenny Wren

Carlos G. Garcia-Ruiz by Lukas Carlson

Chasing Sleep by Ann Lawton

Cookie Cutter by Tiffany Lange