Oil Painters of America’s 27th annual National Juried Exhibition
Oil Painters of America heads to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for its 27th annual National Juried Exhibition.
Located on the Yampa River, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a picturesque locale that offers adventure and activities for visitors to explore. Its natural beauty often beckons artists to interpret its mountainous terrain. Along with artists being inspried by the region, there is arts and culture all around with several fine art galleries and the Steamboat Art Museum calling it home. The museum was founded in December 2005 with the mission “to collect, preserve and present fine art to the public with a primary focus on the culture and heritage of Northwestern Colorado.” It has played host to exhibitions from some of the most lauded national art organizations.
June 1 through September 3, the Oil Painters of America will present its 27th annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils at the museum. The show will feature works by 215 Associate and Signature members hanging alongside a selection of pieces from Master Signature members of the organization. Among the juried paintings are Darcie Peet’s Italian countryside Up to Montalcino—tuscany and the portrait Brass Earrings, by Eric K. Johnson, which captures the spirit of his sitter. Another work on view is John C. Moffitt’s Trompe l’oeil Wells Fargo Special.
In describing the painting, Moffitt says, “The title Wells Fargo Special refers to the Colt ‘pocket pistol model’ revolver, often called the Wells Fargo Special, hanging upside down from the lock and key toward the bottom of the painting. The first take conveys only the obvious Western-themed Trompe l’oeil homage, but if one carefully follows the composition upward, perhaps in a modern context, Wells Fargo Special may reveal something entirely different.”
To kick off the National Juried Exhibition an opening reception will take place at the museum on June 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. The reception will be immediately followed by the awards ceremony, from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. at the nearby Chief Theater, where the 2018 winners will be revealed. Serving as this year’s juror of awards is Craig Tennant OPAM, who will bestow approximately $100,000 in prizes including a $25,000 Best of Show.