This year, the American Women Artists Spring Online Juried Show generated over 1,200 entries by 454 artists across the United States and Canada. Claudia Seymour, Diana Reuter-Twining, and I chose 120 paintings and sculptures for the final show. From those, I selected the 15 award winners.
I shared these thoughts about the entries: “This past year has challenged us all — to stay connected, engaged, hopeful, creative. But in the face of these challenges — and with extended time in their studios, artists have found new themes and creative possibilities to explore in their work. In the entries of AWA’s Spring Online Show, we saw paintings and sculptures that were uniquely ‘of the moment,’ making statements or observations about experiences shared around the world. There were, of course, others that offered more personal viewpoints about the political and social conflicts that have also been signs of our time. Most inspiring for me, however, is that the body of work submitted gave testament that art and artists endure. No matter where these women found their inspiration, they’ve bestowed us with artworks that both delight and challenge.”
Open to all 2021 AWA Associate and Associate with Distinction members working in either 2D or 3D, the Grand Prize ($2,000 cash award) went to Daniela Werneck for her watercolor painting “The Retreat,” Second Place went to Marcia Holmes for her soft pastel painting “Rose Bouquet,” and Third Place went to Lori Putnam for her oil painting “Safe Harbor.”
WERNECK, DANIELA
The Retreat, Watercolor on Clay Panel, 18 x 24 (Katy, TX)
Grand Prize winner Daniela Werneck wrote: “It was a beautiful surprise that could not have happened at a better moment. Being chosen among so many talented women makes me feel very honored and grateful for the opportunity.”
In addition to the Grand Prize winner, the show included these wonderful watercolor paintings.
Travel Buds, Watercolor, 22 x 17 (Summerville, SC)
The Long Climb, Ink and Watercolor on Paper, 9 x 6 (Fort Collins, CO)
OUTING, Watercolor, 20 x 16 (Alhambra, CA)
The Sisters, Watercolor, 24 x 18 (Monroe City, MO)
Tribes, Watercolor, 22 x 22 (Rogers, AR)
Daphne, Watercolor, 30 x 20 (St. Augustine, FL)
Shay, Transparent Watercolor, 22 x 30 (Buckhannon, WV)
Ode to Dirac Between Ecstasy and Fear, Watercolor, 30 x 22 (San Diego, CA)
Cascade Dance, Watercolor, 30 x 22 (Bainbridge Island, WA)
Day of the Iguana, Watercolor, 18 x 28 (Port Washington, NY)
Reservations Required, Watercolor, 20 x 18 (Saint Simons Island, GA)
Shopping In Glasgow, Watercolor, 28 x 25 (Owings Mills, MD)
SHELTER, Watercolor, 24 x 18 (New York, NY)
The Family Favorite, Watercolor, 8 x 16 (Kensington, CA)
Conservation, Watercolor, 16 x 32 (IL)
AWA is dedicated to providing professional opportunities for women in the visual fine arts. The Spring Online Juried Show offers an exhibition opportunity for Associate members who can gain the experience of preparing work for a national juried competition. Some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the U.S. and Canada participate in this competition.
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