Bainbridge Island painter Kelly Johnston has been chosen for inclusion in the upcoming 2020 Collective Visions Gallery annual show, one of the largest and most prestigious art competitions in the Northwest.
Nearly 400 artists from 93 cities and towns throughout Washington reportedly submitted 1,100 artworks for consideration.
The competition’s jurors, Liana Bennett and Beverly Hanson, chose 151 pieces from those submissions for inclusion in the show. The jurors will next choose the recipients of more than $10,000 in cash prizes, set to be given to 10 artists in multiple categories, including the Best of Show Mayor’s Award of $1,500.
Additionally, there will be more than $2,500 in purchase awards by area businesses; a $300 People’s Choice Award sponsored by the West Sound Arts Council; multiple $25 Jurors’ Awards; and a $1,000 Best of Kitsap Award sponsored by the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest.
Johnston earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting and drawing, with a minor in art history, from the University of Washington in 2000.
In addition to painting, she has worked in the interior design industry and created a line of handmade jewelry.
She returned to painting in 2013 and has since exhibited her work at the Bloedel Reserve, West Elm, Anthropologie, and numerous other venues throughout the Pacific Northwest, and has been featured in Create! Magazine, Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, HGTV Magazine, and on Domino.com.
Her work can also be found in three collections of limited edition prints available on Minted.com, McGaw Graphics and through Sebastian Foster Gallery.
Visit www.kellyjohnstonart.com to learn more.
Exhibition officials said in a recent announcement: “The 2020 show has attracted top quality artists from every quarter of our state to submit their best work. Attendees and collectors will find a museum quality show of work ranging in size from large sculptures, paintings and fiber art pieces to small prints, photos and jewelry, ranging in style from exquisite traditional work to provocative contemporary works and deeply personal expressions. Some of these artists are well established professionals, and others are emerging talents in the world of art. Our state is very rich with talent.”
The 2020 CVG Show will be open to the public Jan 18, starting at 11 a.m.
The exhibit continues through Saturday, Feb. 29.
The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
There will be a special grand opening event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 with an art walk-through and discussions led by the jurors from 1 to 3 p.m.
In addition, on each of the weekends of the six-week show, there will be a series of art events and art-themed movies at the nearby Roxy Theater, plus a concert by Pearl Django with vocalist Gail Pettis.
Collective Visions Gallery is located in downtown Bremerton at 331 Pacific Ave.
For more information and a schedule of exhibition related events, visit www.CVGShow.com.
