2025 Art Speaks Juried Exhibition
2025 Best in Show - "Imbalance"
by Mark Miltz
Nineteen awards were given at the opening reception and awards ceremony of the 12th Annual Arts Speaks Juried Exhibition on April 26. The exhibit showcases the work of 66 artists living and working in Virginia, 18 years and older. Both 2D and 3D media are represented in the show and $6,850 in prize money was awarded. View the award-winning works below.
The exhibition will be on display April 26-May 26. You may also view and shop the collection online.
2025 Art Speaks Exhibition Sponsors
THANK YOU, Sherri and Harvey Hamm and Hunt Thompson!
From the Juror/Judge's Point of View
It is always illuminating to learn firsthand the perspective of a juror/judge his rationale for awarding prizes. This year's juror/judge, Diego Sanchez has graciously shared the following comments to provide insight into the process.
AWARDS OF MERIT
Anchorite (wurzelkind) - Barbara Henning-Loomis
"Someone who lives in seclusion, usually for religious reasons."
It is rare to see silver- and copper point being done today. It is a very time-consuming and labor-intensive process. It is created by dragging a silver rod or wire across a surface, often prepared with gesso or ground of Chinese white. Traditionally, soft metals were used like lead, copper, and silver. Artists who worked in silverpoint include Jan van Eyck, Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer and Raphael. This beautiful and ambitious piece reminds me of the elegance of classical art, almost an homage to the human body.
Water Tower West Point - Levi Jones
It is interesting to see how a small painting like the water tower can have such a large presence. This painting of a water tower captures a striking balance between industrial structure and natural beauty. The artist's use of light infuses the scene with warmth, casting elegant shadows that bring the tower to life. Subtle textures and carefully chosen materials add depth, emphasizing the tower's age and resilience. The composition transforms a utilitarian subject into a graceful and poetic focal point.
The Alchemy of Dreams - Petya Ivanova
The painting portrays a young woman, radiant and serene, embodying the timeless spirit of her heritage. The title of this painting gives an insight into the symbolism honoring the beauty and harmony woven into women's identities. A magical process of transformation or creation, drawing deeply and rooted in myths, symbols, and rich traditions. Each brushstroke breathes life into ancestral stories, celebrating both personal and collective memory with profound elegance.
The Peace Pilgrim - Collette Mann
I love the symbolism behind this mosaic. A person, a traveler who journeys from place to place for religious reasons, or in this case, for peace. I am amazed to see the amount of detail that Colleen was able to get by cutting small pieces of tile. I love the rich, colorful surfaces depicting different buildings, different cities. I enjoy the way in which she creates space by the female figure in front of the buildings and the white bird, the closest element to the viewer, the symbol for peace. A much-needed peace in so many different regions of our world.
William and Mary Magnolia - Joann Sybil Lawson
This beautifully rendered acrylic painting is of a section of a magnolia tree. I selected this painting because the way in which the leaves were depicted: shining with a deep, glossy green, catching the light like polished emeralds. Their thick, leathery texture feels ancient and resilient. The leaves remind me of stories of the south, stories of seasons past.
3-DIMENSIONAL AWARDS
Third Place: Blue Nebula Vessel - Russell Turnage
This is a beautiful vessel that invites the viewer to touch its smooth and round shape. I love the complexity and intricate patterns created by the glazes, resembling a Nebula. A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, a bright patch of light on a dark night.
Second Place: Mrs. Hokusai's Washday Woes - John Tobin
I was attracted to this piece because of its whimsical nature. I love the combination of humor and the art historical reference to the amazing Japanese print Great Wave. You can see her reaction as the great wave emerges from her washing machine, overflowing from her tiny washing machine. The concept for this piece is wonderful. I enjoy the creative use of materials, paying homage to a wonderful printmaker who influenced many European impressionist artists.
First Place: Spirit Bear - Katherine Maloney
There is something noble and dignified about this sculpture. I get a sense of respect for our environment. The bear reminds me of many Native American images paying respect to and honoring animals and nature. The white bear generally represents strength, leadership, purity, and perseverance. In some cultures, white bears are seen as sacred and connected to the spirit world, while in others, they symbolize the power of nature and the harsh beauty of the arctic environment.
2-DIMENSIONAL AWARDS
Third Place: Sunlight of Spring - Jeannine Johnson
It is obvious what is so appealing about this photograph. Light creates a soft, warm environment by embracing and defining the elements in this composition. The green tablecloth brings our eyes to the focal point of the composition, the area where the daffodils and pitcher almost touch. This area creates a type of visual tension nicely balanced by the negative space around the forms.
Second Place: Paris Studio Blues - John Alan Stock
This piece probably has one of the most complex compositions in the whole show. I love the balance created by the representational elements and non-representational elements. The limited use of color creates the illusion of space by lines. I can see a love or interest in architectural forms and the manipulation of space.
First Place: When Decay Meets Rejuvenation - Charlie Frances
I love the point of view in this watercolor painting. We tend to look down at the world, and here Charlie has shifted our point of view. The vegetation feels monumental and almost menacing. The loose and expressive application of paint is dramatic and very effective, engaging the viewer through this decaying field of flowers, reminding us of life and death, the cycle of life.
BEST IN SHOW
Imbalance - Mark Miltz
There is a sense of mystery about this painting. I was first drawn to this painting because of the wonderful handling of the medium. I enjoy the way in which the different parts of the painting are put together, creating a smooth transition between forms and space. It is clear that this is an experienced painter who knows how to control and manipulate his materials. I love the female figure, represented as a shaman, a wise woman who has access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil, justice and injustice, balance and imbalance. In one hand she has a scale and in the other a feather, two symbolically charged symbols. There is a sense of mystery about her and the writing in the background. Is she getting ready to complete a ritual? Is she practicing divination and healing? Or is she a judge?
Juror/Judge Diego Sanchez
Diego Sanchez was born in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. He earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the Painting and Printmaking Department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the inaugural recipient of the Artists of the Year Award—Theresa Pollack Arts Award and has been honored with the Virginia Commission for the Arts 50 for 50 Artists Award.
Throughout his career, Diego has actively contributed to the arts community by serving on several boards, including 1708 Gallery, Art 180, Culture Works, and The City of Richmond Public Art Commission. He currently holds the position of Head of the Art Department at St. Catherine’s School and serves on the board of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.
Diego’s artwork has been widely exhibited across Virginia and internationally, with shows in Peru, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Colombia, and France. His works are included in numerous prestigious collections, such as the University of Richmond, William and Mary School of Business, VCU Anderson Gallery, Sidney and Frances Lewis, Pam and Bill Royall, Media General, First Market Bank, Capital One, Federal Reserve Bank, Markel Corporation, Dominion, Phillip Morris, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
The exhibition will be on display April 26-May 26, 2025, and available online for viewing and purchase subsequent to the reception.
2025 Exhibiting Artists
