The Power of Small
Juror: Diego Sanchez || Catalog || Flier
Awards:
- First: His Master's Voice photograph by Virginia Rutter of Fredericksburg, VA
- Second: Adorned with Paint image transfer by Bob Worthy of Montross, VA
- Third: River of Death and Despair clay board with ink by Phyllis Graudszus of Unionville, VA
Honorable Mentions:
- X Marks the Spot oil painting by Christine Dixon of Ashburn, VA
- Truck Cab photograph by Mary Johnson-Mason of Culpeper, VA
- 1942 color pencil drawing by Michele Frantz of Nokesville, VA
- Memory pigment print by Robert Hunter of Colonial Beach, VA
- Bonbon # 4 mixed media by Anna Redwine of Columbia, SC
Juror's Statement
I was delighted to be the juror for The Power of Small Exhibition at the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts. Our notion of what is "small" varies a great deal according to our cultural and social bias. One can also argue that our concept of what is small has a great deal to do with geography. Compared to other countries our abundance of space seems to define our way of life as well as the amount and size of things that we own. The dictionary defines "small" as something that is less than normal or usual. The interesting part about this definition is that we don't question that what is normal for us may not be normal for others. These were some of the thoughts floating around my head on my way to jury this show at the FCAA.
I firmly believe that when it comes down to works of art "size" has very little to do with quality. I often create a small study before I completely commit to creating a final painting. The study often ends up being a fully developed small painting which has just as much value as the large painting. However often in our society we tend to equate size with material value. There is a wonderful quote by Van Gogh that speaks to the power of small: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together". Without the small "things" we can't accomplish great things. Small accomplishments and failures are critical to the creative process. Mother Teresa once said, "The lord likes small things best, especially those done with love". As a juror, I tried to look for joy and honesty in the works that I selected, a love for the process depicted in these small works of art. I try to look for new ways of seeing the ordinary or mundane. A new vision that provides me with a new insight. Noam Chomsky, linguist and political activist, writes that "discovery is the ability to be puzzled by simple things."
I hope that my rational is clear to the viewer when they experience the show. I appreciate the opportunity and would like to thank the FCAA for the opportunity to serve as the juror for the Power of Small exhibition. I would like to congratulate all of the participants and the award winners.
