By BILL MICKELSON
What’s Up writer
Collective Visions is thinking big this month.
Members and show organizers have been hard at work clearing the entirety of the gallery space to make way for the CVG show, the first statewide art show the gallery has ever hosted.
From a total of 600 works of art submitted by more than 250 artists from around the state, art consultant, curator and CVG show juror Susan Parke (well-known for her work as executive director of the Museum of Northwest Art in LaConnor) has selected 147 pieces that will make up one of the most diverse shows the Kitsap art world has seen.
Collective Visions president Alan Newberg is hoping this show will help put Kitsap on the map for artists throughout the state.
The CVG show likely caught more than a few eyes with its total combined purse value of $8,000, made possible by big name local sponsors. Prizes include: $1,500 for best of show, $1,000 to each first place in the three different categories and $300 for the people’s choice.
Submissions came from as far east as Ellensburg and Spokane, Bellingham to Ocean Shores from North to South and from all over Kitsap, Seattle and Olympia in categories of 2D, 3D and photographic art.
With a diverse collection, 8-foot tall statues that challenge the show’s size limit, tiny fine jewelry, mural-sized paintings, textiles, traditional oils and acrylics and abstract photography, it’s a wonder how they are going to fit it all in the downtown Bremerton gallery.
The show opened for its first public preview Friday during Bremerton’s First Friday gallery walk. The official opening, with award winners posted for everything but people’s choice, will be from noon to 6 p.m. today, with an artists reception, reward ceremony and juror’s lecture slated for that evening.
But the art will hang throughout the month, and Collective Visions is celebrating with a month full of events.
Look for an in-depth article and sights from the show in next week’s What’s Up.
CVG SHOW LIST OF EVENTS:
Feb. 2, Noon-6 p.m., Official opening at the gallery;
6 p.m., Artists’ reception at Kitsap Credit Union building;
7 p.m., Awards’ ceremony at KCU building;
7:45 p.m., Juror’s lecture with Susan Parke at KCU building.
Feb. 10, 3 p.m., Jeff Whyman lecture on 21st century clay art.
Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Geniuses of Jazz concert: Mark Lewis and David Friesen.
Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Member lecture, Harry Longstreet, photography;
8 p.m., Member lecture, Alan Newberg, painting and sculpture.
The CVG show closes at 5 p.m. Feb. 29.
Info: www.collectivevisions.com or call (360) 377-8327.
