41st Juried Art Exhibition

Artists: Miré Albornoz, Austin Andru, Mei Chan-Long, Charles Choi, Tyler Durbano, Lisa Graziotto, David Greaves, Madeline Harloff-Leech, Shaheer Hoda, Maranda Jones, Clara Kim, Norb Lisinski, Sandra MacKenzie, Jogi Makhani, Sandra McQuade, Justin Mezzapelli, Natalie Miller, Jihee Min, Karma Potter, Paige Rayne, Sharon Recalla, Cooper Robinson, Amber Rose, Valentina Salaices, Brigitte Sampogna, Harry Sumi, Lucy Sumi, Irina Teske, Caitlin Therrien, Claire Timmins, Julija Valdmanis, Nancy Watt, Laura Wichman, Janine Wheeler, and Kyle Yip.

For over 45 years, the VAC has produced a variety of locally-engaged exhibitions and public programmes that offer our community members an opportunity to learn and create through contemporary art. This year, we eagerly welcome back our Juried Art Exhibition after a two year hiatus—sharing artworks by our growing circle of artists from across the Durham Region and Greater Toronto Area. 

Following our call to artists in August 2022, the VAC received over 180 individual submissions. Narrowing selections from the incredible variety and quality of entries was a great challenge. Originality, artistic ability, and technique were the primary—but not sole—criteria used to select the final 35 artists. This exhibition showcases varied artmaking techniques and subject matter from artists working in painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, and video art. 

Emerging creators below the age of 18 join the exhibition for the first time in the juried show’s forty-one year history as selections are divided between two categories—Youth and Adult. Eight cash prizes are awarded between these groups, including six juried Excellence Prizes and two People’s Choice Awards selected by the visiting public. All are welcome to attend the exhibition for in-person voting prior to the Award Reception on Saturday, October 15—at which time all winner’s will be announced during the evening’s event. 

Adult Awards

Best in Show: Jihee Min, “Ottawa, 1993,” 2018, cyanotype on wood

Excellence Award: Charles Choi, “Isolation 3,” 2021, oil on canvas

Excellence Award: Sharon Recalla, “Grandpa! I Want That Bike!,” 2019, mixed media on wood panel

People’s Choice Award: Sandra McQuade, “Untitled,” 2022, acrylic on canvas

Youth Awards

Excellence Award: Madeline Harloff-Leech, “Strawberries,” 2022, watercolour and ink on paper

Excellence Award: Maranda Jones, “Fancy Shoes,” 2021, acrylic on canvas

Excellence Award: Valentina Salaices, “Mysterious Lizard,” 2022, graphite on paper

People’s Choice Award: Cooper Robinson, “Mr. Blobfish,” 2022, graphite on paper

The Youth Category Fees were sponsored by Ontario Power Generation through their Corporate Citizenship Program.

Jurors

Hannah Keating is the Associate Curator, Public Programs at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. She holds an MA in Art History from Carleton University and has held curatorial positions at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the University of Manitoba School of Art Gallery, and Artspace. In 2018, she was the Artistic Producer of Artsweek, a multidisciplinary arts festival in Peterborough, ON. In her current role, Hannah coordinates the RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program, supporting artists in the creation of new work and curating their solo exhibitions at the RMG. Hannah also curates a range of other exhibitions and events for diverse audiences and community partners, including public programs for the RMG’s contemporary exhibitions and an ongoing series of professional development workshops for artists in Durham Region and beyond.

Megan Kammerer is the Curator of Exhibitions at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington. She is a Toronto-based curator and art historical researcher who has held various positions with the Jackman Humanities Institute, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Blackwood Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Guelph. Her most recent practice is rooted in philosophies of communal care as she explores the visuality of modern social history and intersectional identity construction. Her academic research is published by the University of Toronto, where she holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Art History.

Jefimija (Mia) Vujcic is an emerging museum professional based in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Mia completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in Socio-cultural Anthropology and History. She is currently a Masters of Museum Studies candidate at the Faculty of Information, with a focus on diasporic community memory and museum practices. In recent years, she has worked in exhibitions and collections at the Oshawa Museum as well as the Ontario Heritage Trust.