Jurist Douglas Gray praised art in the 2009 MEA/MAEA show. "There are many pieces that resonated with me and pulled me back in again and again," he said.
Winners announced in annual art contest
EAST LANSING – Christopher Bocklage of Ypsilanti won Best in Show in the 45th annual MEA/Michigan Art Education Association Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition. Seventy-nine works of art were selected for the exhibit from 165 entries.
The exhibit is on display at MEA’s East Lansing headquarters, 1216 Kendale Blvd. It is open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 4, excluding April 10.
Bocklage teaches art education at Eastern Michigan University. He is a former high school art teacher. Bocklage’s graphite and charcoal drawing is titled “Summer Haze #9: No Breaks…” The piece is one of eight featured in the exhibit that will be purchased for display in MEA facilities. Bocklage also received an honorable mention award for another graphite and charcoal drawing, “A Break in the Haze #3.”
Jurist Douglas Gray, an art professor at South Carolina’s Francis Marion University, was impressed with the strength and diversity of entries submitted for consideration this year.
“I made a point to preserve that diversity in both the final selections and among the awards,” said Gray, who juried the show March 7. “There will most certainly be something for everyone to enjoy.”
In addition to Bocklage’s work, several other artists received awards. They are:
Honorable mention:
Virginia Falk of Ann Arbor (“Horse Barn,” watercolor)
Ryan Davis Flathau of Battle Creek (“Sunset & Pathway Badlands National Park, South Dakota,” pigmented inkjet print from scanned negative)
Gerald Mackey of Battle Creek (“Bundle of Branches,” digital collage, pigmented inkjet print)
Jim Matherne of Essexville (“Velma & Tiggie,” watercolor)
Jim Schulz of Ann Arbor (“Fall Roads,” clay)
H.J. Slider of Caledonia (“Capitalism 101,” assembled sculpture)
Lewis Smith of Lansing (“Lake Michigan Northern Shoreline, U.P.,” infrared)
Thomas Thiery of Adrian (“Hard Night’s Day,” watercolor)
Sharon Wood of Lansing (“Burr Pond,” ink on paper)
Juror’s Choice:
Jan Brown of Novi (“Point of View,” ink wash)
Katherine Burkhardt of Royal Oak (“Moored Gondola,” photo etching)
Sally Giroux of Saginaw (“Inner City,” fiber quilt)
Craig Hinshaw of Davison (“Double Boys Vessel,” stoneware)
Garin Horner of Ann Arbor (“Touching Mystery 2,” collaged silver gelatine negatives and Xerox transparency)
Pat Miller Coy of Paw Paw (“Sandhills of Bellevue,” watercolor)
Randy L. Simmons of Croswell (“The Struggle Within,” acrylic)
MAEA Purchase in honor of 2009 Art Educator of the Year Claudia Stieber of Roseville Community Schools:
Pat Rist of East Lansing (“Poppies,” watercolor)
MEA Purchases:
Garin Horner of Ann Arbor (“Touching Mystery 2,” collaged silver gelatine negatives and Xerox transparency)
Heidi Irvine of East Lansing (“Soweto Sisters,” pastel print)
Terry Junger of Shaftsburg (“School House Doors,” mixed media)
Pat Miller Coy of Paw Paw (“Sandhills of Bellevue,” watercolor)
Randy L. Simmons of Crosell (“Perfect Union,” graphite drawing)
Sharon Wood of Lansing (“Au Sable River,” ink on paper)
Thomas Thiery of Adrian (“Hard Night’s Day,” watercolor)
Updated: March 13, 2009 3:08 PM