Plymouth Arts Council celebrates 24 years of community art exhibition
The Plymouth Arts Council held its annual Primavera Springtime Celebration of the Arts awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding artwork from local and regional artists. The 24-year-old juried exhibition showcased diverse mediums and honored several winners, including a student artist and a local resident sculptor.
The Plymouth Community Center hosted the awards ceremony for the 2021 Primavera exhibition, with Plymouth Arts Council member Anne Noonan introducing the event and its judge, Craig Campbell. Campbell, an artist with 40 years of experience, evaluated the submissions using a straightforward philosophy: the best artwork communicates visually without needing words or excessive technology, creating an immediate emotional response in viewers.
Campbell offered practical advice to artists during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of contrast in two-dimensional works like drawings and paintings. "Make the darks darker and the lights lighter," he suggested, noting that he observed some exceptional designs that were held back by muted contrast. He encouraged artists to continue developing their skills and studying other artists' work.
Several artists received recognition for their work. Leah Mikowski's photograph titled "Imagine a Day in His Shoes" earned Best in Show. Other award recipients included Nadia Wexaf for her adult artwork's "real presence," Marie Hayda for her acrylic painting's serenity and calmness, and Amy FitzGerald for her ceramic self-portrait's striking significance.
The Plymouth Arts Council also presented two additional awards. Megan Schultz, a student artist, received the Myrna Kaner Award for her piece "Cherries in the Rain." The award is named after Myrna Kaner, a charter member of the Plymouth Arts Council and educator. Addie Moscow, a Plymouth resident artist, received a special award from the council for her steel sculpture titled "The Heart of a Clown."
The Primavera exhibition draws participants from Plymouth and surrounding communities including Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Excelsior, and Prior Lake, making it a regional celebration of visual arts.
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Areas of Interest (5)
- The Primavera art exhibition celebrates its 24th year, showcasing diverse mediums from local and surrounding communities.
- Judge Craig Campbell, with 40 years of experience, highlights the importance of visual communication and visceral response in art.
- Critique of muted contrast in some award-winning potential pieces offers advice for artists to enhance their work.
- The Myrna Kaner Award recognizes outstanding student artists, honoring an educator and charter member of the Plymouth Arts Council.
- Plymouth Arts Council bestows a special award on a local resident artist for their exceptional contribution.
Notable Quotes (5)
This is the 24th year that we are hosting this annual exhibit at the plymouth community center.
I believe that the best artwork communicates visually so no words are needed not too much technology and when you look at it you have a re you have a visceral response.
If I were to say change the work in any way a good friend of mine who taught for many years said if you ever wonder about a two-dimensional work a drawing or painting how you want to make it better make the darkers dark darker make the darks darker and the lights lighter contrast make them higher contrast.
I saw some designs that were really exceptional but the contrast was very muted so i really encourage you to keep working be happy with the work you're doing look at lots of other work and carry on.
We have two more awards that we like to give out every year at the end of primavera and we have an award that's called the myrna kaner award which is named after the charter member of the plymouth arts council she was an educator and so we always like to give that to a student.
People (10)
Anne NoonanPlymouth Arts Council MemberIntroduced the event and the judge.
Introduced the event and the judge.
Craig CampbellJudge for the 2021 Primavera Art ExhibitionArtist with 40 years of experience, discussed his criteria for judging and highlighted award-winning pieces.
2 quotes
Artist with 40 years of experience, discussed his criteria for judging and highlighted award-winning pieces.
“I believe that the best artwork communicates visually so no words are needed not too much technology and when you look at it you have a re you have a visceral response.”
Explaining his judging criteria.
“If I were to say change the work in any way a good friend of mine who taught for many years said if you ever wonder about a two-dimensional work a drawing or painting how you want to make it better make the darkers dark darker make the darks darker and the lights lighter contrast make them higher contrast.”
Offering advice to artists.
Nadia WexafArtistHer adult artwork was recognized for having 'real presence'.
Her adult artwork was recognized for having 'real presence'.
Marie HaydaArtistHer acrylic painting was recognized for its serenity and calmness.
Her acrylic painting was recognized for its serenity and calmness.
Amy FitzGeraldArtistHer ceramic self-portrait was recognized for its striking significance.
Her ceramic self-portrait was recognized for its striking significance.
Leah MikowskiArtistHer photograph 'Imagine a Day in His Shoes' received Best in Show.
Her photograph 'Imagine a Day in His Shoes' received Best in Show.
Jackie FrizziniPlymouth Arts Council MemberThanked the judge and announced two additional awards.
Thanked the judge and announced two additional awards.
Myrna KanerCharter Member of the Plymouth Arts CouncilThe Myrna Kaner Award is named in her honor and given to a student.
The Myrna Kaner Award is named in her honor and given to a student.
Megan SchultzStudent ArtistReceived the Myrna Kaner Award for her piece 'Cherries in the Rain'.
Received the Myrna Kaner Award for her piece 'Cherries in the Rain'.
Addie MoscowPlymouth Resident ArtistReceived an award from the Plymouth Arts Council for her steel sculpture 'The Heart of a Clown'.
Received an award from the Plymouth Arts Council for her steel sculpture 'The Heart of a Clown'.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (2)
- 2021 Primavera Springtime Celebration of the Arts - Virtual Awards Ceremony
- 24th annual exhibit at the Plymouth Community Center
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Other Topics from This Document
Juried Art Exhibit
Award Ceremony
Artwork Judging Criteria
Award Winners
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