She was one of my best friends. You know, the ones with whom you can talk forever and solve the world’s problems. Helen Norris was one of the Sidney Art Gallery and Museum’s first instigators back in the ’70s. Her dedication was fun and serious at the same time. After her passing in the mid-’90s, the annual juried open art show was named after her.
This year, I judged that Port Orchard show, a really exciting journey where one walks the path of discovery. Almost 80 entries and six categories. Where does an art judge begin?
First, without looking at the art, I establish the criteria of intent where the elements of design would begin that path: composition. What is composition? The arrangement of interdependent parts to form a coordinate whole. According to academic texts, those elements are color, line, space, texture, light and form or space. I also include the consideration of dominance, trend, impact and presentation.
It is said one becomes wiser with age. That wisdom is inclusion of thought that comes with maturity and time. My old academic thinking changed one day, when artist Augusta Asberry shook me to my core, introducing another direction. “Jazz,” she said. “My African dancers are like jazz, movement without a specific focal point.” There are many evaluation directions.
West Sound is a diverse area. I have been involved with art in many cities, from Anchorage to Little Rock, most having their own art style, but here, just about anything goes, diversity from age to style. Some may disagree, but what one would judge as first place one day may be a different decision the next month. It’s important that you enter, whether you win or not. That presentation is a community “positive.” Having had a gallery for over 25 years with thousands and thousands of visitors, I saw some needing a personal connection, reflection or release just by viewing the artwork of another.
On this special day, I first began with a walkthrough, taking in the immensity of creative expression, and it was more difficult than I expected. The Sidney Gallery’s six-person hanging crew did an excellent job — six categories that flowed like wild flowers in the summer breeze. And, thank you, Glen Wilkerson (Wilkerson Gallery on Bay Street in Port Orchard) for taking photos of the winners.
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