The judge’s litmus test: originality
Guild of Creative Art’s 13th annual Juried Show will run through Oct. 26

“Blue Hydrangea Afternoon” watercolor by Roberta Carter Clark of Little Silver

Originality and the treatment of different media were the juror’s criteria for selecting award winners in the 13th annual Juried Show currently at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury.

“When you look at a painting, you look for a lot of qualities; the first is originality,” explained Anthony Ventura, who judged the 229 works submitted.

“So many artists imitate others; they don’t have their own style, their own way of painting. Very important is the artist’s own way of painting, the originality of the painting. That’s number one.”

“Afternoon Light” watercolor by Thomas C. Wilczewski of Long Branch

Second to this criteria, Ventura said, is the artist’s expression of his or her medium.

“Certainly composition and design, colors and values are all very important, and the way the medium is treated,” said Ventura, an accomplished painter and teacher. Each medium has its own beauty about it.”

Ventura’s pick for first place went to Dorothy Freda of Allentown for her oil painting “After the Parade.”

“Girl at the Beach” bronze by Doug McIlvain of Tinton Falls

“It was a smaller painting done in very rich and beautiful colors,” he said. “The colors were well orchestrated in harmony with each other and the composition was absolutely exquisite. It struck my eye. When I went around, I knew that was the one.”

Santo Pezzutti, Red Bank, garnered second place for his oil “Interior.”

“I found it was very beautiful,” Ventura said. “It is all in muted tones and the composition was very pleasing. The technique of the painting is beautiful.”

“Coffee Shop, 9th & 40th” pen and ink by Dave McGrath of Long Branch

The judges’ criteria, Ventura said, are simple.

“We look for the high quality of each art piece, for all the elements that go into a great painting. It should have a complete unity of color and design and values. I tried to be fair to each medium. I tried to define some excellence in the drawings, sculpture and photos.”

Other award winners in the 13th annual Juried Show are:

Third place, Doug McIlvain, Tinton Falls, bronze sculpture, “Girl at the Beach.”

“Love and Duty” oil by James P. Oakley of Waretown

Fourth place, Fran McIlvain, Tinton Falls, watercolor, “Summer Farm.”

Others singled out for recognition include Jacki Olsen, Pocono Falls, Pa., photograph, “Joseph”; Doris Hyland, Old Bridge, acrylic, “The Mauve Room”; Ozzie Arnts, Wanamassa, oil, “Rocky Shore”; Dolores Ann Ziegler, Whiting, Mitchell Award for acrylics, “Something.”

Also, Val Dyshov, Morganville, Friedlander Award for abstract art, oil, “Reflection”; Dave McGrath, Long Branch, Kojola Award for realistic art, pen and ink, “Coffee Shop, 9th & 40th”; Scott Nickerson, Tinton Falls, oil, “Velasquez, Voltaire, Vase”; Roberta Carter Clark, Little Silver, watercolor, “Blue Hydrangea Afternoon.”

First place, “After the Parade” oil by Dorothy Freda of Allentown

And, James P. Oakley, Waretown, oil, “Love and Duty”; Thomas C. Wilczewski, Long Branch, watercolor, “Afternoon Light”; Guild Recognition, Donald Robinson, Edison, oil, “Summer Pond”; and Gail White, Wall Township, watercolor, “White Orchids.”

Hours at the Guild, located at 620 Broad St., are Monday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

“Interior” oil by Santo Pezzutti of Red Bank

Images courtesy of Rob McDonough