Local Artists to Turn Heads in 'Made You Look'
Meg Cranston, an internationally recognized artist, juries an art exhibition featuring 42 pieces by 29 Tri-County artists May 15-June 21 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. A free, public opening reception for “Made You Look: Westmont Annual Tri-County Juried Exhibition” is Thursday, May 15, from 4-6 p.m. The winner of the James A. McIntyre Memorial First Place Art Award, a cash prize of $1,000 donated by the McIntyre family, will be announced at the reception. A cash award, donated by the Westmont Art Council, will also be given to an honorable mention winner.
Cranston, who chairs the fine arts department of Otis College of Art and Design, works in sculpture and painting. She has co-authored several books, including “Meg Cranston: Hot Pants in a Cold Cold World” and “More Than You Wanted to Know About John Baldessari: Volume 1.” Last year, the museum exhibited a piece by Cranston in the show “Impulse and Connoisseurship: Selections from the Forde Collection.”
The juried exhibition, which Westmont began more than 20 years ago, provides a rare opportunity to showcase the talent of the local area. “Outside of L.A., it can be difficult to find places for artists to show their work, and we are thrilled to be able to offer our museum for local artists,” says Judy Larson, Askew professor of art history and museum director. “Having a juror as avant-garde as Meg gives us an interesting and fascinating group of pieces to exhibit.”
The artwork of photographer Keaton Hudson, who just graduated from Westmont with degrees in art and English, has been selected for the show. “It’s always exciting for us to see students actively pursuing their art careers and having a juror as prestigious as Meg choosing their art is an added bonus,” Larson says.
For the second straight year, the juried show will also feature the artwork of Ben Johnson ’10, Westmont communications coordinator.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed Sundays and college holidays. For more information, please visit www.westmontmuseum.org or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162.