2018 ART OF THE STATE (AKA WHO'S A HAPPY GIRL!)

Art of the State is recognized as the official, statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. This year jurors selected artwork from five categories: craft, painting, photography, sculpture and work on paper.  After submitting my artwork in February, I didn't give it much thought as the odds of getting in are about the same as being accepted to Harvard University.

 

I was spending a month in the magical town of San Miguel de Allende in the mountains of Central Mexico during the time the jurying results were due.  When the date came and went, I didn't give it much thought until I read on Facebook that my artist friend Rob Sigafoos (check out his work!) had one of his amazing metal sculptures selected.  Since I had heard nothing, I called The State Museum of Pennsylvania.  It was then that I learned that one of my huge floral paintings had been selected.  Evidently, results were sent via US Mail, not email.  The museum offered to email my letter, which started with:    

"Congratulations! Your artwork has been chosen to be exhibited in Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2018 at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, June 24 – September 9, 2018.  There were 104 works chosen for the exhibition from nearly 1,800 entries."

My giant (48 x 60-inches) sunflower painting pictured on the right, Showstopper, is the chosen one.  If I could do a cartwheel without causing bodily injury, I would be doing one after the other, I am that excited! 

The 2018 Awards Juror is Scott Schweigert.  He is the Curator of Art and Civilization at the Reading Public Museum, in Reading, Pennsylvania and will be selecting the awards in each of the five categories.  Jump Street will present the awards at the opening reception on Sunday, June 24, 2018. The State Museum Purchase Award and the William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing, the State Museum Docents’ Choice Award and the Jump Street Spirit of the Arts Award will also be presented at the same time. 

The Art of the State exhibition will run from June 24 to September 9, 2018 at The State Museum of Pennsylvania located at 300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

The opening reception is Sunday, June 24, 2018 from 1 to 4 pm.  Click HERE for directions.