6 November "Inaugural Juried Exhibition" Award Winners Announced at Opening Reception November 6, 2015 artists, Public, Riffe Gallery artist, arts, arts and culture, Inaugural Juried Exhibition, James Mellick, Lori Kella, Marilyn Simmons, Michelle Stitzlein, Mitchell Rose, ohio, Ohio Arts Council, Petra Kralickova, Riffe Gallery, Tyler Cann 0 Inaugural Juried Exhibition More than 250 people came out to show their support for Ohio artists at the Inaugural Juried Exhibition Opening Reception on Thursday, November 5, at the Ohio Arts Council’s (OAC) Riffe Gallery. Exhibition jurors presented three $500 Juror’s Choice Awards, and OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins presented the $1,000 Best in Show Award in a short ceremony. Check out the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony photos. The jurors–Tyler Cann (Columbus Museum of Art), Petra Kralickova (formerly of Ohio University), and Marilyn Simmons (SPACES)–chose 59 artworks out of nearly 400 applications though an online blind jury process. Each selected a Juror’s Choice Award and deliberated on the Best in Show during an exhibition preview. Tyler Cann’s Juror’s Choice Award Lori Kella, Tidal Wetlands, 2014, Digital chromogenic print Petra Kralickova’s Juror’s Choice Award Michelle Stitzlein, Pincushion Cordifolium, Fynbos Series, 2013, Recycled/repurposed materials Marilyn Simmons’ Juror’s Choice Award James Mellick, Get Out of Here!, 2012, Mixed hardwoods and copper details Best in Show Award Mitchell Rose, Globe Trot, 2014, HD video During remarks, exhibition jurors Marilyn Simmons and Tyler Cann mentioned how difficult it was to choose the award winners and stressed the importance of this work in the state of Ohio. Cann left everyone in the room feeling light and hopeful. “Even if there isn’t always a check involved, I hope you all continue to follow your artistic compass,” he said. You can view The Inaugural Juried Exhibition at the OAC’s Riffe Gallery now through January 9, 2016. Let us know your favorites by using #RiffeJuriesOhio on social media and vote for your favorite in person at the Riffe Gallery. While You're at The Riffe Inside Looking Out: Creative Works by Ohio Prison Inmates presents a diverse display of individual and collaborative artworks using both repurposed materials like soap and cardboard, and more traditional media like paint and textiles. Be sure to view the imaginative works on your visit to the Riffe Gallery in the lobby of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in the heart of downtown Columbus. ABOUT THE RIFFE GALLERY The Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery showcases the work of Ohio's artists and the collections of the state's museums and galleries. The Riffe Gallery is located in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, across from the Statehouse on High Street in Downtown Columbus. Like the Riffe Gallery on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website at oac.ohio.gov. ### Comments are closed.