The Wildling Museum in Solvang will present a juried exhibition showcasing the National Lands of California this summer. Celebrating the National Lands of California will feature 57 artists and 63 selected artworks juried from a pool of 316 entries submitted by artists across the U.S., vying for $4,000 in awards.
An opening reception will be held 3-5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Wildling Museum, Main Gallery, 1511-B Mission Drive. The exhibit will be on display July 20-Jan. 20. Cash prize for first, second and third place winners will be announced at the opening reception.
Featured locations include Carrizo Plain National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, Death Valley National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Joshua Tree National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Point Reyes National Preserve, Redwoods National Park, San Jacinto National Monument, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Sequoia National Park, and Yosemite National Park.
The exhibition presents a range of diverse techniques and mediums, from acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings to block printing and photography, as well as mixed media works spanning neon installation to a painted hubcap found on a Yosemite roadside.
“The diversity of the entries is inspiring,” said competition judge George Rose. “As a native Californian who has spent a lifetime walking these parks, monuments and preserves, judging these entries has reminded me how fortunate we are to have these lands protected for all to appreciate, and to remind us that we all play a part in preserving them for future generations.”
Celebrating the National Lands of California highlights works showcasing idyllic vistas, while others challenge viewers to reflect upon the environmental impact tens of thousands of visitors can have on sensitive regions, with subjects ranging from endangered species to the dangerous effects of California wildfires.
“The hubcap (featured in ‘El (Hub) Capitan II’) was found in Yosemite National Park through Facelift, an annual week-long cleanup effort put on by the park,” said featured artist Mariah Reading. “With the combination of iconic features and high visitation, leaving no trace is of the utmost importance.
“I am most concerned about depicting environmental changes humans have caused and what steps must be taken to preserve the planet.”
The Wildling Museum thanks Nathan Huff, assistant professor of art at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, and George Rose, professional photographer and board member of the Wilding Museum, for judging the impressive diversity of entries, along with executive director and curator Stacey Otte-Demangate.
Works featured in the exhibition are available for sale with 40 percent of proceeds benefitting the Wildling Museum.
To RSVP, call the Wildling 805-686-8315 or email julie@wildlingmuseum.org
Support for Celebrating the National Lands of California provided by the Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Pete and Becky Adams, Tierra Alta Vineyards, and donors to the Patti Jacquemain Exhibition Fund.
Featured artists are:
Neal Abello, Illona Battaglia Aguayo, Kathy Barnhart, Stephen Berry, Nancy Bingham, Peggy Brierton, Sue Britt, Barbara Brown, Bob Canepa, Chris Chapman, Ted Chin, Robert Cooke, Carla Crawford, Taylor Crisp, Dennis Curry, Joseph Doherty, Celeste Evans, Kevin Gleason, Lynn Hanson, Chuck Harris, Patricia Hedrick.
Ivan Hernandez, Mark Hespenheide, James Hodgson, Christine Huhn, Susan G. Jorgensen, Gretchen Kieding, Christine Kierstead, Linda Kunik, Ed Lister, Dana Mano-Flank, Deborah Newman, Ana Phelps, Linda Sue Price, Kelly Radding, Robin Raznick, Mariah Reading, Ines Roberts, Hannah Rothstein, Ann Sanders.
Brenda Whitehill Schlenker, Samantha Schwann, Stephen Shachtman, Virginia Sharkey, Pamela Sloan, Libby Smith, Jen Snoeyink, Alan Sonneman, Geralyn Souza, James Stoicheff, Nic Stover, Cheryl Strahl, Janice Tieken, Chris Turnham, Blake Whitaker, Chad Williams, Nancy Yaki.
Judges are: artist Nathan Huff, photographer George Rose and Stacey Otte-Demangate, executive director of the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature.
The Wildling Museum is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends and closed Tuesdays.
For more information, and to volunteer and/or join as a member to support The Wildling, visit www.wildlingmuseum.org.
— Lauren Sharp for Wildling Museum.