Work From Seven States Featured in Art Exhibition

More than 40 works of art that include paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media are on display during the Seven State Biennial Exhibition now through Nov. 27 in the Art Gallery at the University of Science and Arts.

 The exhibition represents 39 artists from Oklahoma and all six states bordering Oklahoma -- Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Colorado and Arkansas. The exhibition pieces are the result of the Seven-State Biennial Art Competition.

Every two years, artists submit original works to the competition. An art juror selects winning entries in multiple categories, judges the works and awards cash prizes. This year's exhibit awarded $11,000 to artists in cash prizes and purchases.

Paul Walsh from Roff received second place honors and a $1,500 prize for his tempera portrait A College Student.

"As in previous years, the artists competing in the Seven State Biennial have given us a diversely expressive and high quality body of artwork representing the region," said Layne Thrift, associate director of the USAO Art Gallery. "For it's size, this competition is one of the highest paying in the region."

"As I walked through the exhibition, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of skill and concept and the range from traditional to contemporary. For the most part, the works chosen ask to be studied and invite you to see into the artist's mind," said juror Sara Waters, sculptor, performance artist and professor of art at Texas Tech University.

Ted Conley of Ardmore was awarded the $2,500 first place prize for his painting Five Cherries. Paul Walsh from Roff received second place honors and a $1,500 prize for his tempera portrait A College Student. Walsh's work also received a purchase prize award from the gallery's permanent collection. The third place $500 award went to Christie Blizard of Lubbock, Texas for her sculpture Light Compression.

Five $100 honorable mentions went to Wilfred Loring, Lindsborg, Kansas; Mejo Okon, San Antonio, Texas; Dixie Erickson, Norman; Lucy Durfee, Austin, Texas, and Arlene Loring, Tom Bean, Texas.

In addition to Walsh, six other purchase awards were presented with a total $6,000 in prize money. Awards were presented to Wilfred Loring, Arlene Carson, Lucy Durfee, Mejo Okon, Chris Small of Oklahoma City, and Chance Dunlap of Durant.

The third place $500 award went to Christie Blizard of Lubbock, Texas for her sculpture Light Compression.

After USAO, the exhibition travels to the Charles B. Goddard Center in Ardmore for a show Dec. 15-Jan. 30.

The USAO Art Gallery is located on the first floor of Davis Hall on the USAO campus. Davis Hall is on the oval at South 17th Street between Grand Avenue and Alabama Street in Chickasha. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This event was made possible with generous support from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the USAO Foundation.


 

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Ted Conley of Ardmore was award the $2,500 first place prize for his painting Five Cherries during the Seven State Biennial on display now through Nov. 27 in the Art Gallery at the University of Science and Arts in Chickasha. The exhibition represents 39 artists from Oklahoma and all six states bordering Oklahoma. This year's competition awarded $11,000 to artists in cash prizes and purchases.