The Fine Arts Exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair continues to grow in popularity, and this year was no exception. A record-setting 3,185 entries were submitted across eight categories, with just 343 artists selected. Among them are 37 artists with ties to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District, including 12 award winners.
“Dawn” by Brooke Bartholomew. The hands are painted with oil on linen. (Josh Blanc)
Painting/Mixed Media
With 1,070 entries and 113 accepted, Painting/Mixed Media was one of the fair’s most competitive categories. Congratulations to:
Kristi Abbott (MN State Fair Foundation Friends of the Fair Award & MN State Fair Foundation First Glance Award), Brooke Bartholomew (3rd Place), Anna Chambers Goldberg, Francene Christianson (Honorable Mention), Marc Clements, Sandra Felemovicius (Artistry Theatre and Visual Arts Award), Paul Fosaaen, Karin Jacobs, Sanjukta Mitra, Mat Ollig (4th Place & Minnesota Figure Study Collaborative Award), Dyan Padgett, Alison Price, Lynne Sarnoff-Christensen (Minnesota Artists Association Award), Michael Schmidt and Dominique Winders (C. Crist Delmonico Memorial Award).
Sculpture
Of 185 entries, 21 were accepted. District artists include Barbara Bridges, James Church (Simon & Kain Family Award), Kordula
Coleman, Dean Lucker and Layl McDill.
“Eggplant Trophy” by Katayoun Amjadi. The cast porcelain piece uses 18k gold luster and cast resin. (Josh Blanc)
Watercolor/Gouache/Casein/Tempera
Of 197 entries, 23 were accepted, including Michael Gaughan.
Drawings/Pastel
Of 205 entries, 23 were accepted, including Cory Favre, Kevin Kramp (Patty Carmody Smith Award of Excellence), Joyce Lyon and
Kimberly Wetzel.
Printmaking
Of 78 entries, 12 were accepted, including Faye Passow, who received 1st Place.
Ceramics/Glass
Of 154 entries, just eight were accepted. Congratulations to
Katayoun Amjadi (1st Place), Susan
Feigenbaum (Honorable Mention), Kathy Mommsen (Judge) and Claudia Poser.
“Baby Lucky” by Marc Clements. The piece is collage and paint under resin. (Josh Blanc)
Textiles/Fiber
Of 154 entries, 18 were accepted, including Kristina Fjellman (Honorable Mention and Allen and Carrie Clark Award for Excellence in Content and Form) and Laura Wennstrom.
Photography
Photography was the largest category, with 1,142 entries and 115 accepted. Artists selected with ties to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District include Katie Muggli, Steve Ozone and Donna Webb.
The State Fair experience extends beyond the Fine Arts Exhibit. Studio Here artists with ties to the District will be featured on upcoming dates, including Sushila Anderson on Aug. 31, Layl McDill on Sept. 2 and
Betsy Hsiao on Sept. 3. They will spend 12 hours working and demonstrating their practice in the Fine Arts Building.
For the hundreds of talented artists who didn’t make the cut this year, there are still opportunities to see their work. Douglas Flanders & Associates, 5025 France Ave. S, will host its third annual “Minnesota State Fair Reject Show” from Aug. 29 through Oct. 10.
In St. Paul, The Burl Community Art Gallery, 308 E Prince St., #130, will host its sixth annual “Rejected” show through Sept. 26. Both exhibitions will feature several artists with ties to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District.