Fall Show

2023

Dec 7

About

The Fall Show is one of our most popular shows attracting artists from NorthWest Ohio.

Judge’s Statement

It has been my pleasure, and my honor, to be the sole juror for the Findlay Art League’s “Fall Show” three different times now off and on in recent years. Each time, like this time, I marvel at the impact that contemporary art has, and that contemporary artists have, on viewers like me. For instance, the piece that I selected as “Best of Show” completely and totally surprised me, stunned me even. That piece forced me to open my eyes once again in a way that I thought I had already done, a long, long time ago. Contemporary art wakes me up, it energizes me, it makes me pay attention to the world around me, to the world around all of us, and it makes us all pay attention to our innermost thoughts and feelings as well. That is surely one of the many powers of art: we’re all more alive when we’re surrounded by art and by artists. I am, therefore, super fortunate since I interact with contemporary artists and teach the history of art every working day in BGSU's School of Art. I would not trade my day job for any other.

As it always is, selecting the works to be included, and then selecting the award-winning works, was all very difficult for me. But, jurying this show also filled me with joy and a renewed sense of imagination and wonder, and it literally opened my eyes at times. The works selected and those pieces honored with prizes are, in my opinion, all of very high quality: technically, aesthetically, and conceptually. Therefore, I’d like to send my congratulations to all of the artists who got into the show, and especially to those artists who have won awards. would also like to note that many of the excluded pieces were also fascinating and beautiful to me. Thus, in addition, I would like to thank and commend all of the artists who submitted their works for consideration. Finally, as a longstanding resident of NW Ohio, I would like to thank the Findlay Art League's forward-thinking founders, its current superb staff, and its numerous community supporters for creating, running, and maintaining such an outstanding organization. Congratulations and thanks again to all involved with the Findlay Art League!

Andrew Hershberger, Professor Bowling Green State University