Collage on paper. 24″x18″
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July 9 – August 3, 2008
Art League Gallery; Alexandria, Virginia
Map and Gallery Info
Megan Coyle’s “Figure Seated by the Counter” collage was on dislpay in one of the Art League’s monthly juried exhibitions. Megan’s portrait collage was awarded an Honorable Mention by the exhibition’s juror, Nan Haid.
627 works of art were entered into the July All-Media Membership Show and only 120 were accepted.
The Art League created the following juror’s statement with Nan Haid:
When jurying a show, Nan Haid first responds to composition and technique. Though Haid was drawn to and selected a variety of pieces for the July 2008 All-Media show at The Art League Gallery, many seem to have an introspective, contemplative feel.
“I have juried for The Art League on many occasions, and there is always a consistent strength to the work, particularly among the drawings and watercolors.” Haid comments that perhaps this proficiency is a nod to The Art League School classes. “This month, the prints also stood out as being strong and interesting.”
As an educator, she feels that artists have to understand the grammar, the structure, the language of drawing, painting, and creating before they can move on to working abstractly or subjectively. “You have to see, understand, and create works objectively before you can work subjectively.” For Haid, having a strong foundation in representational drawing is very important.
Haid selected “Nova Scotia Wetlands” by Frances Metcalf for The Larry Kirstein Award. “I like the fresh quality and the color in this piece. It has a sense of innocence and spontaneity. It is framed well – the mat and frame are in good proportion to the print.” The pieces awarded Honorable Mentions all have a charming, expressive, and subjective quality. Deron DeCeseare’s execution of “Coastal Pines IV,” “demonstrates his proficiency and know-how as an artist. To be able to successfully pull off a piece that has so few elements takes a lot of skill,” she remarks.
Haid avoided the selection of work with issues compositionally, technically, or with presentation. “Many pieces had overly prominent signatures. It’s a problem when a signature becomes so distracting for the piece, or when it become an element of the work,” she remarked.
“The quality of work at The Art League is always strong. Continue to believe in yourself as an artist and in your work. Continue to persevere. Confidence shows in your work.”
Haid last juried for The Art League in June 2006. Professor Emeritus of Art at NOVA’s Woodbridge campus, Haid has juried for many shows throughout the region. Her own work has been exhibited several times at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She exhibits extensively throughout the region.
