"Using Middle America as her muse, Kowch draws the history of a particular place -- invariably rural -- to the surface as it collides with a new reality in layers of metaphor and moodiness. The faces of her women may remind you of characters in a Tim Burton film."
--Steve Parks, Newsday

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

A memorable evening at the "Caught In the Act" Exhibition Opening















Indeed it was a night to remember for me this past Friday at the opening of the "Caught in the Act" Exhibition, the 6th annual international juried show put on by the Northbrook Public Library located in Northbrook, an upscale northeast suburb of Chicago. The exhibit showcases work by over 90 different artists, and results in the purchase of an artwork for the library's permanent collection, in the quest to enhance the library’s profile as a place of visual culture.















I was the first place $2,000 Purchase Prize winner this year, and still cannot find words to describe how honored and humbled I am as a result. I need to pinch myself each time I think of Unexpected Company as now being part of a public permanent collection, for the multitudes to enjoy. I was honored to meet with the library's directors, the show's jurors, artists with work in the show, and some of the sponsors of this year's Purchase Prize, known as Friends of the Northbrook Public Library. What a night! Huge thanks to my mom for coming along and being by my side to celebrate with me, my brother who built the monstrosity of a crate to get the painting shipped there safely, my friends and models, Jen and Tori who couldn't make it out to the show (we can go visit the painting now, girls!), and of course, everyone involved with the Northbrook Public Library and the "Caught In the Act" Exhibition, for putting on such a great show, and supporting the careers of emerging artists like me with opportunities like this so that we can continue to do what we do. Thank you all!

You can learn more about the show, and browse the work of this year's contributing artists online at the official website here. Below are some additional photos from the show. To view more visit my Flickr album here.



Exhibition juror, Judith Joseph and Northbrook Public Library's Assistant Director, Eric Robbins, and I.




















9 comments:

Marcyanna said...

Congrats Andrea!

Andrea Kowch said...

Thanks, Marcyanna!

Kaylen Conley said...

What a wonderful and well deserved surprise! Congrats !!

Chelsea Kirchoff said...

Wow, Congratulations Andrea. It's well deserved!

Maureen said...

Congratulations! Wonderful paintings you've been posting!

Lauren said...

was that the painting you shipped? I have to send out a painting this weekend... scary!

Andrea Kowch said...

Thanks for the comments, everybody :) Lauren, yep, that was the one. Funny how it didn't look so big hanging at the show, despite how I could barely fit it in my brother's truck when I had to drop it off for shipping!

Dave Chow Illustrations said...

Simply put... WOW!

Again, congrats.

Alvin Richard said...

Bravo Andrea, very much deserved!