Works showcased virtually
South Shore Arts 77th annual Salon Show takes online approach
Tradition blends with technological innovation in 2020 to put the spotlight on more than 60 winning artistic works at the 77th Annual Salon Show presented by South Shore Arts.
The usual “in-person” free exhibit hosted through Jan. 24 in the expansive gallery at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, has an alternative option this year via an internet connection. For the first time, patrons can view all of the pieces at www.southshoreartsonline.org as a free virtual stroll of the exhibit space.
“This year, we decided to even have the annual awards ceremony as a virtual event, rather than gathering in person,” said John Cain, executive director of South Shore Arts, emphasizing that since March, the nonprofit arts organization has taken added precautions for the safety of staff and patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In some ways, this is an opportunity for even more people to attend and participate by having the show and awards available online.”
There were more than 280 works submitted this year, with 62 art creations selected for the 2020 exhibit, which opened Nov. 21. Awards will be announced at 4 p.m. CST Dec. 11 via Facebook and the South Shore Arts website with more than $10,000 in prizes presented to artists courtesy of donations by the Surovek Family and Tracy and Marc Schwimmer.
Among the works on display in the 2020 exhibit are a menacing mythological cyclops, sporting purple painted toenails, and titled “Cyclops with a Purple Pedi” captured as an oil painting by Chris Cosnowski of Chicago; a 3D mixed media photograph of a bakery worker, framed in loaves of bread and featuring motion activated sound titled “The Baker” conceived by artist Joel DeGrand of Beverly Shores; and a black and white photograph of a bison preserved in aluminum titled “Buffalo Roams Alone” by Michael Gard of Valparaiso.
“In addition to the winners’ ribbons displayed with the works, nearly all of these pieces are for sale and the prices are listed in the gallery with the description plates and also included with the online exhibit viewing,” said Bridget Covert, director of exhibitions for South Shore Arts and also a local artist whose own photographs have been featured in previous shows.
The South Shore Arts Annual Salon Show began in the late 1930s as a yearly display of custom creations in the art department of Minas Department Store in downtown Hammond. In 1989, the show was moved to the galleries at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
Covert said while there are new “breakout” artists highlighted each year during the Salon Show, it’s not unusual for returning established artists to be honored in multiple years. For example, one of the favorite focal point pieces of the 2017 show was a framed mixed media combination of photography, paint and raised embellishments assembled to make a towering 6-foot tall somber bee keeper, cradling a smoker and swarmed with honeybees. Titled “Bee Keeper,” it was created by DeGrand, who gave artistic life and sound to this year’s “Baker.”
The 2020 show has works created with a range of talents and materials including sculpting, fabric, glass, paint, photography, paper and repurposed materials.
The juror for this year’s show was Lauren M. Pacheco, a Mexican-American proud of her heritage and who was born and raised on Chicago’s southwest side. Pacheco, an awardwinning conceptual artist, said she is a first-generation college graduate, and has degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northwestern University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She moved to Gary four years ago and works as an associate faculty lecturer, and the director of arts programming and engagement, for the school of the arts at Indiana University Northwest.
Covert said the annual salon show not only draws public attention, but also raises awareness and support about the many programs organized and offered by South Shore Arts.
“During a normal year, we have more than 400 classes filled with both children and adults eager to learn everything from ceramics, photography, painting to drawing and cartooning in our studios at our Munster location and the
South Shore Arts satellite locations,” Covert said.
“This show not only encourages artists of all ages; it also stimulates the imagination and offers escape.”