I was so thrilled to be selected for the 2011 People’s Gallery Exhibition at the Austin City Hall. One of my paintings, “Luminous Future,” was selected from among 1400 pieces entered by 325 local artists and arts organizations. This year the jurors were: Carla Nickerson, artist and Production Coordinator for ProArts Collective; Johnny Walker, artist; and Herlinda Zamora, Culture and Arts Education Manager, Mexican American Cultural Center. The exhibition was finalized and designed by Jean Graham, the City’s Exhibition Coordinator. (Thanks, everyone, for including me!).
I thought I was feeling better from several days of allergy-related illnesses, so Terry and I got spiffed up and headed downtown. We arrived at the City Hall just in time to hear a few words from the mayor, and to see Caprice Pierucci receive her People’s Choice award for her piece in the 2010 Exhibition.
It was wonderful seeing so many of my art friends there, and that so many of them were also selected for this show! Jill Alo and I were beginning painting and drawing students together in Minnie Miles’ classes at ACC back in the ’80s before she moved on to UT and I went up to SAIC. We also worked together at a framing shop while in school. We have been good friends ever since, and have been in several critique groups and art exhibitions together, so I was so happy to see her very sunny piece in this show.
I also have exhibited and been in critique groups with Sandy Lowder, whose lovely large painting was hung right next to mine. I love the abstract qualities that she always infuses into her paintings (which frequently begin in a figurative way).
Gladys Poorte also has an awesomely beautiful painting in this exhibition. Jill, Sandy, Gladys, and I were all in the “Topographies” show together at Studio2 Gallery in 2003, along with 4 or 5 other artists.
Kristy Battani from the Texas Wax organization, of which I was a part for a couple years, had a lovely encaustic work in this show, too.
There were several other friends and acquaintances whose work is in the show, but (for some reason) I did not get photos of their pieces during the opening (I simply must go back!).
Take a gander at the photos I did get below, and if you’re in Austin, I highly recommend taking an hour or so someday to go see all the awesome paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, assemblages, and installations in this show. You can even vote for your favorite piece.
The show is at the Austin City Hall through January 13, 2012, exhibited in the hallways, conference rooms, lobbies, balconies, large stairwells, and in the Mayor’s office–all throughout the first 3 floors of the City Hall. Mine is #92, in The Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office hallway on the second floor. Hours are from 8am-5pm M-F.
Austin City Hall
301 W 2nd St.
Austin, TX 78701
View a gallery of pictures from the People’s Gallery Exhibition opening.