Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA)’s curatorial theme for 2023 is “Art in Common,” exploring the innumerable ways in which art can bridge differences of identity, language, culture, time, and place. As an intuitive form of communication, art can transcend our individual backgrounds—from the local preschoolers who participated in this year’s Young at Art to the international roster of Modern Art masters such as Henri Matisse and Alexander Calder featured in From Crisis to Color: Derrière le Miroir (“Behind the Mirror”)—to create a visual experience we all share. In a world that is increasingly divisive, art facilitates communication; and communication, in turn, fosters healing.

The artists, authors, and poets who worked together in Derrière le Miroir after the devastation of World War II understood that by combining art and language, they could create a visual communication more effective than either form alone. Inspired by their example, MMoA’s year of ART IN COMMON culminates in a juried exhibition theme of the same name.

Artists were invited to delve into the combination of language and visual art incorporating elements of the written word, pulling inspiration from a favorite piece of literature (novels, children’s books, poems, plays, etc), or paying homage to the creative juxtaposition of these two elements.

This year’s juror is Caroline Joy Adams. Adams is a multi-media artist, author, and teacher who holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and worked for years as a professional calligrapher in New York City.

Juror Statement

“I was honored to have been asked to jury this show, and  it was a wonderful experience spending time with each of the  pieces submitted,  and then  carefully selecting the award winners out of so many extraordinarily interesting and unique artworks. We ended up with a vast variety of mediums,  including oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, sculptures, mixed media,  drawings, calligraphy,  collage, photography, fabric quilts, silkscreen, and more.  The key commonality was that all of the pieces have delved into the combination of language and visual art, and therefore relate in some way to the power of words—whether  letters or words are actually embedded and featured in the finished art—which is the case with quite a few of the works – or whether a given work was inspired by a novel, poem, or other form of the written or spoken word, which shaped the artists imagination and creative process in a significant way.

Some of the pieces included are exquisitely beautiful to look at; others are whimsical, playful, dazzling, or vibrantly colorful; and others still are more dramatic and perhaps even harsh to the eye, yet carry an important, perhaps even urgent, relevant message, about the state of our world today. And this complex world we live in is certainly reflected in this show, which encompasses everything possible — from extreme beauty, love, delight, and compassion, to the agonizing, ongoing societal issues that also require our attention, including homelessness, war, insurrection, the pandemic, climate change, and more.

What I love most about the selections included is that a great many of them ask us to slow down, and take some time with them, really taking in the images and/or words they contain – as many of them present thought-provoking, intriguing questions about life. This, in turn, invites us to reflect on our own experiences—of love, family, relationships, community, creativity, responsibility toward others, towards our planet, and more. And I believe this is the great task of art—to ask the viewer/reader to participate in the process, by contemplating the questions raised, which can, at times, lead to some powerful conversations – and perhaps even deepened connections with those in our own lives. (And what could be a better result of a piece of art, or a museum visit, than that?) 

For example, one of the works included in the show is a lovely watercolor by Lisa Miceli, entitled “What is the Color of Hope?”.  And my own hope is that that visitors will allow this to spark a lively conversation with your museum-going companions, as you ask yourself — and one another — that same excellent question: “What is the color of hope, for you? (And—to take it a step further, what you can you do next to bring some of your own hopes in this life from dreams into reality?”) For when art can inspire us to open to deeper connection with others, or to greater contemplation – or to take action, it has truly offered us its most profound, priceless gift. And this excellent, unique show certainly gives us the inspiration we all must seek, so is well worth a visit (or more than one if you live nearby!) to view ART IN COMMON.”

Award Winners

Rudy Grunwald Award for BEST IN SHOW
J. Ott, Labor of Love, Oil on canvas

“I felt mesmerized by this lovely  oil painting the moment it caught my eye, as I absolutely loved the soft colors, the exquisite  use of light, and the intimate portrait of a woman thoughtfully  immersed in the world of words, though her student’s papers that she was grading, along with the glowing laptop, also filled with the endless energy of limitlessly flowing  words,  set atop the plush pink bedspread – along with the always good company of a curious, comforting cat.”

2ND PRIZE
Arthur Guagliumi, Graphia: 5×5, Mixed media

“This is a fascinating work, incorporating  exciting visual design, and many elements of  a great variety of different written  languages, and requires some deep time and attention to contemplate – and I also appreciated the  accompanying artist’s statement, as it makes a profoundly important point.”

3RD PRIZE
Diane Spira, Autumn Rill, Oil on canvas

“I loved the wonderfully soft,  flowing colors of this  painting, which feels like an invitation to just merge into this luminescent place – along with the excellent explanation of how the artists was inspired by the Victor Hugo novel, Toilers of the Sea (which I have not read, but now feel drawn to doing so!).”

HONORABLE MENTION
Eric Hovermale, A Faint Harmony, Photography

“This is a gorgeous photograph, paired with words that seem a perfect match to the mood of serenity and melancholy, and really drew me in.”

HONORABLE MENTION
Lisa Miceli, What is the Color of Hope?, Watercolor

“I loved the subtle use of color here, the way the words  were situated at the top, and the whimsical flower forest that the figures were immersed in. Such a wonderful and powerful question she asks here, and beautiful composition of all the elements.”

HONORABLE MENTION
Catherine Whall Smith, Love Letters…As the Numbers GROW, Fiber and photo

“I was drawn to this as an excellent example of the creativity that arose for so many of us artists during the deep challenges and losses of the pandemic times—and incorporates beautiful colors, patterns, and symbols into a unified design that is very appealing to the eye, and layered in deep meaning at the same time.”

HONORABLE MENTION
Cathy Weiss, An Abundance of Imperfection, Mixed media

“This is a powerful and intriguing work, combining a deeply meaningful poem on the theme of marriage, that I imagine many of us can relate to – and the overall design of the accompanying art, and the way it is mounted, makes for an exceptionally attractive and unique piece overall.”

PALEMA J. NELSON WATERCOLOR AWARD
K. Hartmann, A For Apple, B for Blame, Watercolor

“I loved the historical  inference, and  powerful message in this work, along with its elegant artistry and design. Definitely thought-provoking, and I  found the artist’s statement very illuminating as well.”

MARY BARTHELSON PASTEL AWARD  
Rita Dawley, Where’s Mom, Mixed media

 “A fun, whimsical, vibrant piece, it is something that most parents will find relatable and enjoyable to look at.”

Accepted Works