Major congrats are in order! Derek has not only been accepted into the 2011 West Virginia State Juried Exhibition(for Man with infant), he has received an Award of Excellence, which is a purchase award for $2,000 and a spot in the State Museum's permanent collection!  I'm couldn't be more proud! I also want to extend congratulations to Tiera Floyd for also taking home a $500 merit award for her piece Self, II. Tiera is an outstanding student from West Virginia Wesleyan's art department. I'm so happy for you both and to all the other artists who were juried into the show or won an award! If you are in Wheeling, WV be sure to stop by the Stifel Fine Arts Center and check out the exhibition. It is up through January 2012.

I meant to write a post about it, but neither of my works were selected for the exhibition.  You win some, you lose some right?  I don't want to take away from the celebratory nature of this post, but I thought I should let you guys know :)

If you are signed up with my mailing list, you will be receiving an invitation to the Arts Walk in my hometown of Fairmont, WV to commemorate the opening of the Alan B. Mollohan Gateway Connector! I am thrilled to have been invited to be one of the artists representing Marion County. You can find me there from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Gateway on Saturday, October 15, 2011. There will also be numerous other artists, musicians, actors, and vendors celebrating, too! The Gateway will be commemorated also with a special ceremony, the opening of the new Marion County Visitors Center, a 5-K Night Glow Run, and a huge fireworks show. So if you are in the area, come out and join us!