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Annapolitans know the cost of climate change, as do people in many cities. This show will focus on the theme of rising water levels, the effect they have on the world, and solutions for or the disasters because of changing tides. Entries are open to all original 2-D or 3-D artwork. MFA will display selected works online in Curve Gallery from August 15th through September 30th, 2020. Show Chairs are Richard Niewerth and Wil Scott.
Former Director of Education at The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, Delaware
Jennifer Polillo is a professional artist, art educator, and former Director of Education at The Delaware Contemporary. She earned a certificate in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and a BFA from the University of Pennsylvania. Jen has been a teaching artist for 20 years and continues her artistic practice through commissioned work as well as local and international artist residencies. Jen has won numerous awards for both her painting and photography.
Congratulations to all of the artists who participated in Maryland Federation of Art’s call for the Rising Tides exhibition. It was a pleasure for me to be the juror and to view each and every submission. I applaud all of you for your efforts. Nature has always been a source of inspiration for artists and the current climate crisis that is affecting our natural world is reflected upon by artists in many different ways. This exhibition is a true representation of the various entries submitted, as it includes photography, painting, digital media, and mixed-media works. Many artists chose to portray the consequential devastation of our rising tides and others simply depicted the delicate beauty that is currently at risk. The pieces that I ultimately chose for this exhibition speak to the compelling beauty and fragility of our natural environment. Art has the ability to communicate and create awareness around important issues. As humans, we feel an intrinsic need to take responsibility for the things we feel connected to. Art can help us to reconnect with nature and can also reveal the dismal consequences of our actions and inactions. The images that had a visceral effect on me and demonstrated a particular mastery of craftsmanship and concept earned the top three prizes. Honorable mentions go to those works that I felt also deserved direct acknowledgement. For those artists whose work was not selected, I urge you to continue to create and submit your work, and I leave you with the words of Vincent Van Gogh; “If you work with love and intelligence, you develop a kind of armor against people’s opinions, just because of the sincerity of your love for nature and art. Nature is also severe and, to put it that way, hard, but never deceives and always helps you to move forward.