A lot more goes into an art show than just hanging select pieces of artwork. Just ask Judy Barnes, who has been the chairperson of the Meadowood Art Show since 2016. This year marked the 13th year of the annual show, forced to take a two-year break during COVID.
Judy took the helm from Diane McGovern, the show’s first chair, when Diane’s husband became ill. Because Judy had previously helped with the art show, she admits she was a bit reluctant at first “because I knew how much work was involved.”
As chair, Judy is responsible for staging and making sure the artwork is displayed correctly. She also is in charge of selecting jurors ⎯ usually two each year ⎯ and featured artist. “Finding jurors is kind of tricky. … I know that they’re qualified, that they are artists in their own right.” Selection of the featured artist chosen is often based on visits to other art shows, galleries, and recommendations from past jurors. This year’s jurors were Rhonda Garland and Jean Sinz, and the featured artist was Jean Childs Buzgo.
When asked how the jurors select which works will be included in the show, Judy replies that the jurors have their own likes and dislikes. They base their decisions on the artwork’s composition, originality, and other factors.
Judy is supported by a team made up of both residents ⎯ nearly 100 each year ⎯ and staff members. Under Judy’s tutelage, each of the resident volunteers is put in charge of areas such as registration, sales, and hospitality (greeting attendees, artists, other volunteers). The art show is just one of many events at Meadowood where residents volunteer to help.
Various Meadowood departments are involved as well: the office staff, which helps with printing of materials; the grounds staff, which organizes the display racks and panels; the housekeeping staff, which places all the tables and chairs and tables; and the culinary staff, which Judy says provides the wonderful appetizers for the show’s Friday night reception, reserved for artists and their guests only.
Patty Wynne, Meadowood’s Director of Development and Community Relations, is Judy’s right-hand woman, securing sponsorships for the Art Show’s Ad Book. “I couldn’t do it without Patty,” she says.
“Everybody is involved,” Judy said, and that’s a good thing.” Judy says involvement in planning the art show helps residents get to know each other. “We don’t call this a fundraiser. It’s more of a ‘friendraiser’ with 20% of the proceeds from the artwork sold, benefiting the Meadowood Benevolence Fund.” The fund gives residents peace of mind should they experience unexpected financial challenges or outlive their resources.
Thanks to this dedicated team, the Meadowood Art Show runs like a well-oiled machine. As soon as one show ends, they start planning the next year’s show. “I’ve already scheduled the featured artist for next year’s show,” she says proudly.
Judy explains that because it is a juried show, not all registered pieces are accepted. This year, 300 pieces of art were entered; 196 paintings were hung. “Just hanging them is a big chore,” says Judy. The event can be considered a resident art exhibition as well; of the pieces accepted, she says about a dozen were by Meadowood residents.
“It’s a juried show, which means that anybody can enter,” she explains. The entry fee, which is waived for residents, is $15 for one piece and $20 for two pieces. Only two entries are allowed per artist, and at least one piece must be available for sale. Judy says various art forms are accepted, ranging from paintings and photography to sculpture and decorative ceramics.
The monetary awards are rather substantial compared to other shows, Judy says, adding, “and we’re very proud of that.” This year, the Meadowood Residents Association contributed an extra bonus, enabling the show to award more in prize money.
“Artists really like our show, which is great because it draws a lot of people,” Judy says. “We’re right up there with shows that the artists are eager to enter.”
The annual art show is just one example of the culture of giving ⎯ from both the pocketbook and the heart ⎯ that makes the Meadowood community so special. Philanthropy is deeply rooted in the fiber of Meadowood, as evidenced by Judy and her team of volunteers. “Our volunteers are wonderful,” Judy gushes.
What can the community expect for next year’s show? Judy says that “each year we try to make it a little better.”