THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605180087
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
When the 26th annual Seawall Art Show opens Saturday morning, there'll be some new faces among the 77 artists who will exhibit their work around the Portside Harbor.
``We have a lot of new artists from out of town, and people will see a lot of new work,'' show chairman Bobby Nash says. A graphic designer, he says the show also will have more ``fine-art crafts'' this year.
``This really is a nice show,'' Nash says. ``You know, I've been on both sides because I have shown in many of them, and I think this one is unique.''
The Seawall show is ``well-attended but not too crowded,'' Nash says, which gives people a chance to look at the work.
The show will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
An exhibition by middle and secondary school students from both public and private schools will run concurrently with the art show. The student show will be judged, and winners will receive cash prizes.
For small children, the Children's Museum of Virginia will set up an activity area designed to stimulate their artistic talents.
Although the Seawall Art Show comes under the auspices of the Portsmouth Museums, museums Director Betty Burnell says it is ``mostly privately supported.''
``We have many dedicated volunteers, and they are important to the success of the show,'' Burnell says. ``The artists who participate enjoy the hospitality here, and that's not always the case with outdoor shows. Many of our volunteers are themselves artists, and they understand the other side.''
Burnell, a life-long resident of Portsmouth, says she ``never thought this show would see 26 years.
``We're doing well to have spanned this number of years. The show has been through peaks and valleys, and I think we're headed for another peak.''
And, the show ``fits right in with the city's new focus on arts in Olde Towne,'' Burnell adds.
``We really are a place for the arts. It's exciting to see that happening.''
Artists will compete for a $1,500 best-in-show award plus about $4,000 in other prizes, including $1,000 for second place, $750 for third place and $500 for fourth place.
Larry Stene, a professor in the fine-arts department of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, will judge the show.
His work has been exhibited in many galleries around the country and locally at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center.
A graduate of Moorhead State University in Minnesota, he has a master of fine-arts degree in sculpture from the University of Illinois. He has taught since 1970 and was at North Dakota State University and Bemidji State University in Minnesota before coming to Virginia in 1982.
``The Seawall Art Show committee feels Prof. Stene's knowledge and expertise in sculpture, print-making, drawing and design will make him an excellent and impartial judge,'' Burnell says.
In addition to the juried prizes, local patrons have promised $5,000 in purchase guarantees. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo
One of the nice things about the Seawall Art Show is that it is
well-attended but not too crowded, which gives people a chance to
look at the work of the 77 artists who will be exhibiting. The
artists will compete for a $1,500 best-in-show award plus about
$4,000 in other prizes, including $1,000 for second place, $750 for
third place and $500 for fourth place.
by CNB