Arts & Entertainment

Gig Harbor’s Stockdale earns top honors at art show

For 19 years, Peninsula Art League has presented an open juried art show that invites artists from throughout the United States to exhibit their work. This year’s show runs through Nov. 27 at the Harbor History Museum on the historic downtown waterfront.

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The show includes 50 artworks by artists from as far away as California and Colorado, as well as many from the Puget Sound area. Wenatchee artist Jennifer Evenhus selected the entries and judged the show and also taught a “Moments in Time” workshop on painting pictures of objects that hold special memories.

“When I jury a show, my first impressions are very important,” said Evenhus, who does two or three “walk-throughs” before she starts to narrow down her favorites.

“I look for those pieces where the artist was willing to take risks — with color, design or subject matter,” she said, adding that she is drawn to “an artist who has no fear, has a unique style and is not afraid to ‘break the rules’ for the success of the piece.”

After several walk-throughs, and several pages of notes, she takes yet another look at the pieces that have captured her attention.

“Finally, I begin to mark down my choices for awards, and I often change them around as I live with them, revisiting them again and again. I’m careful to also look at those that I hadn’t chosen, one more time, to make sure I wasn’t overlooking a diamond in the rough,” she said.

Finally, after much deliberation, she makes her selections. She announced her choices to win awards at a reception on Oct.8.

Gig Harbor artist Ann Stockdale’s oil painting, “Four Amigos,” was awarded the Best of Show ribbon at Peninsula Art League’s Open Show. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Gig Harbor artist Ann Stockdale’s colorful, abstract oil painting called “Four Amigos” was awarded the Best of Show ribbon.

“I love art that challenges me to look deeper. To spend time living with it. The kaleidoscope of colors (in this painting) captured my attention and refused to let go,” Evenhus said. “’Four Amigos’ kept me coming back again and again, exploring a multitude of stories. The whimsical style of painting will never get old. Every day you look at this painting you will see something new. It will bring music and joy into your life.”

“Four Amigos” will be remain on display at the history museum for a month after the show closes as part of the Best of Show award, according to the museum’s executive director, Stephanie Lile.

Lisa DeBaets, of Redmond, won the First Place 2D award for “In Your Presence.” Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Evenhus selected a mixed media painting, “In Your Presence,” by Redmond artist Lisa DeBaets, for the First Place 2D/Multimedia award. “This abstract caught my eye on my first stroll through the gallery,” she said. “I love the bright bold colors and it’s one of my favorite color combinations -– orange and turquoise. The composition is compelling: the diagonal orange field pulls your eye in and up, then back around. The dark areas give the painting depth and the gold foil gives it a sense of glamour. It’s a wonderful piece.”

This mixed-media painting, “Ephemera,” by Ed Whitmore of La Jolla, Calif., won the First Place 3D award. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

First Place 3D/Multimedia went to a three-dimensional painting called “Ephemera” by Ed Whitmore of La Jolla, California.

“This is a unique use of paint effects on wood — or is it oxidized metal? Is it an ancient river seen from outer space? The flowing texture is organic and compelling,” Evenhus said. “I love the fissures in the surface and the light blue against the orange of the wood makes it pop. It’s a real a conversation starter.”

Carlene Salazar of Onalaska won the first-place ribbon in photography for “Into the Darkness.” Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

PAL member Carlene Salazar, of Onalaska, Washington, took the first-place ribbon in photography. Her dark, moody abstract photo called “Into the Darkness” showed Salazar’s willingness to take risks, Evenhus said, as she presented the award.

“Carlene took a chance on imperfection in order to be creative, adding a sense of mystery and exuding sensual energy,” she said.  “It isn’t perfectly focused, the exposure could have been better, but then you would not have a work of art, just a perfect picture of a flower.”

Vaughn artist Jacqueline Hickey’s acrylic painting “Color Play” won the First Place Juror’s Award.

Gig Harbor painter Pat Meras won Second Juror’s Award for “Still Life with Apple.” Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

“The Monarch,” an oil painting by Gig Harbor artist Joan Teed, won the Third Juror’s award. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Nine other awards were also presented, including First Place Juror’s award to Jacqueline Hickey of Vaughn for her acrylic painting “Color Play,” Second Place Juror’s Award to Gig Harbor pastel artist Pat Meras for “Still Life with Apple” and Third Place Juror’s Award to Joan Teed, also of Gig Harbor, for her oil painting of Frida Kahlo entitled “The Monarch.”

Gig Harbor artist Charles Salak won the Arts Commissioners’ Choice Award and an Honorable Mention ribbon. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Donna Trent, of Gig Harbor, was awarded an Honorable Mention ribbon for “Bouncing Back.” Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Honorable Mention ribbons went to “Street Artist” by Gig Harbor painter Charles Salak and “Bouncing Back,” an oil painting by Donna Trent, also of Gig Harbor. Salak also won the Commissioners’ Choice Award — selected by the city’s Arts Commission — for “Street Artist.”

Lea Basile-Lazarus of Gig Harbor won the Nail Enterprises sponsor award for “The Selected.” Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Three sponsor awards were also presented. The Nail Enterprises Award went to Gig Harbor artist Lea Basile-Lazurus for a paper pulp painting called “And It Goes On.”

“Point Defiance Teahouse” by Gig Harbor artist Dean Seagren won the Ebb Tide Gallery award. He’ll have a month-long show at the gallery as part of his prize. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

Ebb Tide Gallery selected Dean Seagren’s oil painting, “Point Defiance Tea House.” Seagren will be a featured in a month-long show at Ebbtide Gallery as part of the award.

Gig Harbor Now newspaper awarded its ribbon to a color pencil drawing, “Wooden Bowl with Onions and Garlic,” by local artist Larry Parkhurst.

The Gig Harbor Now sponsor’s award went to Gig Harbor artist Larry Parkhurst for “Wooden Bowl with Onions and Garlic,” a color pencil artwork. Charlee Glock-Jackson / Gig Harbor Now

“We loved the way you took two very ordinary, everyday objects — a few onions and some garlic cloves — and turned them into a beautiful work of art,” Lori Bonvicini said as she presented the award to Parkhurst.

Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite artwork when they see the show, and on Nov. 27 the People’s Choice winner will be announced. The History Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The show is funded in part by a grant from the city’s lodging tax fund.