On July 22, Women Artists of the West kicked off its 53rd annual national exhibition at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery in Newton, Kansas. The show, titled No Place Like Home,marked a stunning return for the prominent art group, which celebrates women artists all around the country.
Ashwini Bharathula with her award-winning piece, Chuck.
This year’s show featured 26 member artists and 18 guests, with more than 120 accepted works of art on display in Kansas. “Overall, it was a superb show in a gem of a gallery and demonstrates the depth of the organization’s talent,” says show co-chair Joe Frisillo, who says that festive music, a food truck and live models punctuated the opening night. “The gallery was abuzz with activities that made it memorable, fun and rewarding.”
Ashwini Bharathula, Chuck, oil on linen panel, 12 x 10”
The top award went to Ashwini Bharathula for her portrait titled Chuck. Other award winners were Patricia Ridge Bradley, Jan Marie De Lipsey and Cecy Turner. Two other winners were Debra Keirce, who won the Western Art Collector Editor’s Choice Award, and Linghui Wang, who won the American Art Collector Award of Excellence from this magazine’s sister publication, American Art Collector. More than $47,000 in awards were given out to the artists. In addition to a live audience that was present for the opening night, the group also livestreamed the event online.
Jan Marie De Lipsey, The Oldest Tree, oil on board, 10 x 20”
Women Artists of the West’s leadership includes co-presidents Mejo Okon and Amy Evans, vice president Brenda Morgan, treasurer Vicki Pederson and website manager Nori Thorne, as well as many other talented members who run other segments of the organization.
For more information about the art group, visit womenartistsofthewest.org. —
Powered by Froala Editor
