2nd Annual Best in Show Group Art Exhibition
By Angela Romeo
Opportunities to exhibit art are constantly growing. Palm Springs based Fusion Art is an on-line gallery and hosts monthly juried on-line group shows. During the month of November Fusion Art will host its 2nd Annual Best in Show Group Art Exhibition.
In addition to its virtual presence Fusion Art’s hosts its Annual Best in Show Group Art Exhibition in a “brick and mortar” location. This art exhibition features the winners from each of Fusion’s monthly themed exhibitions. The 2017 show includes artists who participated in the online exhibitions from October 2016 through September 2017. Fifteen artists are participating and the artwork includes a diverse collection of traditional art, digital art and photography. The winning artwork encompasses themes such as Landscapes, Colorful Abstraction, Figures & Faces, Cityscapes, Animal Kingdom, Waterscapes, Leaves & Petals, the Natural World and Artist’s Choice. The participating artists are as diverse as the themes. This year work from the following artists will be on view: Victor Schiro, Jeremiah Gilbert, Kathleen Greenwood, Sylvia Freeman, Nancy Pallowick, Christopher Lane, Catherine Martinez-Perez, dbJR, Cher Anderson, Nathalie Beck, Alexandru Popovski, John Moses, Carl Owen and local photographers Stephen Baumbach and Michael Owens.
“Fusion Art was founded by my husband, artist Chris Hoffman and myself,” said Valerie Hoffman. “We formed the gallery out of a passion for art and the artists who create it. The on-line gallery promotes and connects new, emerging and established artists with collectors and art enthusiasts, worldwide, while offering the opportunity to participate in art competitions, exhibitions and experiences.”
“We began as an online gallery, went to online and store front gallery and now back to a virtual gallery,” continued Valerie. “We ultimately chose to close the Palm Springs space to focus on worldwide promotion for all of the gallery’s winning artists, rather than just localized promotion of only the few that we could fit in the physical space. There are so many talented artists without gallery representation. We want to help them get their work seen on a worldwide basis. But we also understand the importance of having an artist’s work hanging in a physical space. With our 2nd Annual Best in Show Group Art Exhibition and our Artist Spotlight, selected artists have opportunity to be included in a physical exhibition, not just a virtual one. This physical event is important for the artist and for the viewer, which is why we host the annual group show. This year we are fortunate to host it at the Stephen Baumbach Photography Studio and Gallery located in the Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District.”
“We have experimented with different themes for different competitions. Some themes are more popular than others. The ones that were the most popular we repeat annually and quarterly,” continued Valerie. “The 2017-2018 exhibition schedule is equally challenging and exciting for the artists and the jurors. We have a list of judging criteria that we use when evaluating the artwork submitted to the competitions. The criteria are creativity, originality, interpretation, quality, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of chosen medium. All the Best in Show winners have exemplified skill and talent in each of those areas.”
The Fusion Art Best in Show Exhibition will be held at Stephen Baumbach Photography Studio and Gallery located in the Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District The exhibition runs from November 1st through the 18th. There will be an opening reception the November 1st from 6-8pm coinciding with the monthly First Wednesday Artwalk. The Backstreet Art District is located on Cherokee Way, just off Hwy 111, behind the Mercedes Dealership and the Estate Sale Company. For additional information, please contact visit www.fusionartps.com.
