WATERVILLE — The work of dozens of artists from around the state will be on display through April at the Waterville Public Library as part of the annual Maine Open Juried Art Show.
The show, now in its 25th year, was founded in 1990 by members of the Waterville Art Society and is meant to give beginning and local artists a chance to showcase their work, as well as expose the public to local art. The show, which opened on Sunday, is juried, meaning not everything that is submitted gets in.
Artists can submit up to two works each. The pieces are judged by a three-person panel that selects category winners as well as works to display in the library. About 85 artists entered the show this year, and about 120 works have been chosen for display.
“The purpose of the show is to promote awareness and provide an art competition in central Maine, that’s really why they started it,” said Jennifer Olsen, the executive director of Waterville Main Street, which is partnering with the library and art society to put on this year’s show.
In addition to prizes for the best works in categories by medium, such as watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels and other media, there is a Best in Show and other awards.
This year’s judges include Ramey Mize, a fellow at the Colby College Museum of Art; Marsha Donahue, the owner of North Light Gallery in Millinocket; and Lisa Wheeler, program manager at both Waterville Creates and Common Street Arts.
“Depending on the judges, sometimes it’s a little more contemporary, sometimes it’s more traditional,” said Amy Cyrway, president of the Waterville Art Society. “Last year was a really nice, well-rounded show.”
The work will remain on display at the library through April 25, and an awards ceremony and a reception are scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the library. The public also is invited to vote for its favorite pieces for a People’s Choice Award that will be announced at the end of the show.
“Waterville really does have a lot going on in the arts and in many different disciplines,” Olsen said. “This is a way to really showcase the art that is produced locally both for people who are regular art audiences and people who maybe don’t see art every day. The fact that we’re partnering with the library and putting the display in the library is a really cool way to be proud of who we are as a creative community.”
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
Twitter: @rachel_ohm
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