A Fresh Look 2025

On view June 4 – July 31, 2025

Artists from around the region have submitted seventy works of art to be judged for cash prizes. Artists were asked to show their most recent work, taking a fresh look at the world around them. The theme for this show is very open, allowing for a wide variety of subject matters to be entered. Awards were presented Saturday night, June 14th, at our public reception.

Participating Artists – Susan Arrowood, Todd Baxter, Kristin Blank, Ellen Devenny, Pat Edwards, Joan Fogle, Darlene Godfrey, Noah Hartley, Timmy Hord, Kimberlye Joyce, Janet Littlejohn Kaufman, Corrine Kay, Jackie Laine, Emma Kay Lewis, Bonita Lowe, Bertie McClain, Kathleen McDermott, Leonor Demori Neisler, Alex Pietersen, Patricia Pietersen, Danielle Ryan, Ron Shepard, Jean Wilder Smith, Taylor Stump, Pam Underwood, Austin Walker
 
Judge

Wil Bosbyshell Wil Bosbyshell received a BFA and MBA from the University of Georgia and spent six years as an officer in the US Army following his undergraduate education. After a successful business career in the private sector, Bosbyshell was awarded a residency at the Hungarian Multicultural Center in Budapest, which set the course for his artistic career. He has been a studio artist and member of the Charlotte Art League. For close to two decades, he was an arts professor at both the former Art Institute of Charlotte and Rowan/Cabarrus Community College. 

His work has been shown in numerous galleries and community exhibitions, including The McColl Center, Shain Gallery, Central Piedmont Community College, and Elder Gallery, where his participation in the 2018 group exhibition Vicarious received critical acclaim from the New York Times. His work can be found in dozens of private and corporate collections locally and nationally. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
 

Winners

Awards with Judges Comments
 

First Place

artist Kristin Blank with her first place artwork.

Kristin Blank – Dawn After the Storm – oil

This painting is successful in several ways. The unconventional subject of a metal trailer draws the viewer’s attention. The contrast in values allows for dramatic highlighted areas. The composition and perspective are excellent.
 


Second Place 

Artist Todd Baxter with his second place artwork.

Todd Baxter – Sweet Jane – oil

This oil painting jumps off the wall! Great use of cropping and divine proportion in the composition. Nice use of static elements like the life preserver ring contrasting with the motion implied by the flying bird and moving ropes and wires. Detailed areas draw you in but are used sparingly with large planes of color. 
 


Third Place

Third place artwork of a green fiels under a blue cloudy sky.

Pat Edwards – Amber Waves – pastel

This small pastel landscape uses color and mark making in a masterful way. The motion implied by the moving clouds and waving grasses draw the viewer in. Then the viewer is rewarded by the bold light and color of the distant tree line and mountain range.
 


Merit Award

Artist Taylor Stump with her merit award-winning artwork.

Taylor Stump – Green, Screened – acrylic

This conceptual painting with sculptural elements hits the right balance between humor and cultural commentary and a subtle health warning. Nice use of gel medium.
 


Merit Award

Artist Noah Hartley with his merit award-winning artwork.

Noah Hartley – First in Flight – oil

This is a wonderfully playful painting that is realistic in its depiction of bird, insect, and flower textures. The dynamic and surreal use of cropping, rotation, and overlap kept your eyes spinning around in joy. Nice pun in the title.
 


Merit Award

Artist Kimberlye Joyce with her merit award-winning artwork.

Kimberlye Joyce – Foxy Loxy – watercolor

Topflight watercolor painting that makes full use of the medium’s strengths: the splatters and great action. The bright white of the paper pushes contrast to exciting levels. The brush work is visible and dynamic.