Naperville Art League names contest winners

Fifteen area artists won honors this week in the Naperville Art League's 14th annual public art competition called "#SillySeriousness."

Fifty entries, encompassing original work in a variety of media, were displayed and considered for the awards judged by artist Pamela Carron. The winners were announced at a Sunday reception at the Naperville Fine Art Center and Gallery.

The Best of Show winner was Patricia Melekus for "Rape of Europa" in acrylic.

Awards of Excellence went to:

• Jeannail Carter for "Too Many to Choose From" in colored pencil, pen and ink.

• Scott Harding for "Pumpkin Top" in oil on linen.

• Gary Schirmer for "The Ripley Effect" in oil.

Honorable mentions went to:

• Cynthia Boudreau for "Bubbling Up" in fiber.

• Marissa Burch for "Treehouse" in mixed media.

• Kathleen Geisinger for "Winter at Geneva Lake" in photography.

• Beth Hobby for "Mask: Autoportrait" in assemblage

• Valerie Lorimer for "Her Life Was a Circus" in mixed media.

• Judy MacLeod for "The Sisters" in mixed media.

• Kevin Pranaitis for "Am I Brave, Daddy" in photography.

• Sally Sharp for "Seriously?" in oil and cold wax.

• Judy Tucker for "Picasso in Piecing" in fabric.

• Marita Valdizan for "Life as it Happens" in mixed media wire crochet.

• Charles Williams, Jr. for "Maze" in acrylic.

"I was very impressed with the quality of artwork we received for our '#SillySeriousness' competition. Even more amazing is the depth of intimacy that the pieces exude," said Debbie Venezia, executive director of the Naperville Art League.

As a requirement of the competition, each artist included a statement explaining why the piece fit the theme. The statements were displayed to give viewers a deeper understanding of the artist's intention.

"Personal issues such as self-perception, spirituality, family, politics and love fill the gallery," Venezia said. "You can feel the passion surround you and it becomes an emotional experience."

The "#SillySeriousness" exhibit runs through Friday, March 30, at the gallery, 508 N. Center St. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturdays.

For details, visit www.napervilleartleague.com.