An annual event now in its 11th year, GoggleWorks’ Juried Exhibition is designed to showcase and reward the talents of individual artists in all media. There is no theme—artists are simply encouraged to submit their best work. The grand prize is a solo exhibition in the Irvin & Louis Cohen Gallery, GoggleWorks’ premier exhibition space. First, second, and third prizes receive cash awards. This year’s call for entries attracted 257 artists from 17 states who submitted over 600 works for consideration. With a tremendous level of artistic ability evident, the pool was more diverse than ever.

“I would like to thank our juror Lisa Trempor Hanover, Director & CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum, for carefully reviewing the submissions and putting together a very strong exhibit. Her thoughtful process in tackling the difficult task of choosing our award winners is very much appreciated. Also, I would like to thank GoggleWorks’ exhibition committee for their hard work and volunteer hours to make this show possible. Last, thanks are extended to each of the talented artists chosen to participate. It is our pleasure to showcase their work and provide cultural quality to patrons of the arts in Greater Berks County and beyond,” says GoggleWorks’ Gallery Director, Lauralynn White.

Grand Prize / Charles Farrell

Overload, oil paint on wood panel, 24″ x 24″

I have recently started a new series of paintings in which I have departed from the perspectival space of figurative realism that defined my earlier work. The background space of this painting is intentionally flat and is patterned with graphic codes and symbols to which the figure in the foreground is responding. The figure is painted in a spontaneous, gestural way to exaggerate its emotional intensity. The flatness of the background pushes the screaming figure closer to the viewer, intensifying the visceral experience of the work. — Charles Farrell

First Prize / Florence Moonan

Eastbound (Orcas); venetian plaster, universal tints, iridescent gold oil pigment stick on board; 12″ x 24″

I have an intuitive approach to painting as I make decisions and take advantage of chance revelations. My work is informed by travel, family history, the natural world, and, above all, music. I currently work with Venetian plaster on board. A unique exploration emerges following the process of adding and subtracting layers. The plaster’s special quality helps me produce surfaces that are immediately appealing and as sensuous as a beautiful aria. These new works celebrate the memory of my youngest sister, and the few days three sisters reunited on Orcas Island—the entrancing island she called home. — Florence Moonan

Second Prize / Madeline Smith

Singing Fossils; flameworked glass, paint; 8″ x 5.5″ x 4″

My goal as an artist is to defy existing expectations about glass. I aim to create work that carries a sense of mystery, making the viewer question how it came to be. My art is inspired by the patterns found in the visual languages of nature. I reimagine microscopic life forms on a large scale. I create compositions with repetition and rhythm. Rather than copy nature as it exists, I observe anatomical elements from disparate forms of life. I select, amplify, and augment minute detail, and merge them to create biological chimeras. — Madeline Smith

Third Prize / Patricia Scialo

Pitcher Plant #1; gelatin silver, handmade paper; 17″ x 11″

My photographic works are created primarily from an intuitive starting point, transforming the subject through light. With the use of a lens, I start the process of image making; creating abstract forms that emphasize line and shadow. Through the printmaking process I continue to manipulate the image with various techniques such as hand applied light sensitive emulsions, encaustic, and graphite. Within the imagery I compose, I strive to create depth, giving the viewer the opportunity to look within, pause, and contemplate the subtleties of what lies beneath. — Patricia Scialo

Honorable Mention / Bob Hakun

Slave to Time; assemblage; 24″ x 40″ x 10″

I collect old discarded common items, some natural, some man-made. I look for old pieces that show the graphic effects of aging; the beauty and harshness of the breaking-down over time of all things into what they came from. I use items that are burnt, broken, rusty, crushed, bent, stained, and cracked. Sometimes the final art piece will seem to tell a story or convey a message about something, but it will not be clear as to what that message really is. It is open to interpretation by the viewer. — Bob Hakun

Honorable Mention / Emily Hracho

/r/girlswithneonhair I & II; weaving-acrylic and cotton yarn, spandex; 16″ x 216″ x 10″ & 28″ x 216″ x 10″

Focusing on a methodical collecting of the intangible, my work acts as a response to, or as a reproduction of, a series of gathered social situations. Through the observation of the language being used around me, I record what I hear or find and integrate it into sculptural installations. These phrases are a reflection of my generation’s identity. Habitually used words are reproduced in stitched fabric, embroidered, or woven on a loom. I create soft sculptures which interact with eachother spatially to signify the identity of a young contemporary speaker. — Emily Hracho

Honorable Mention / Julie Shea

The Passing of the Keys; oil on canvas; 22″ x 28″

Julie Shea is a painter residing in the Greater Philadelphia area. She works primarily in oils. Her recent work focuses on strength, structure, and what we leave behind. Exploring dreams and the resurfacing of forgotten memories, the juxtaposition of her realistic imagery begins to cross over to the surreal. Her female figures appear trapped somewhere inbetween. Julie graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Art Education and a minor in Art History. She currently is in her ninth year of teaching art.