Gualala Arts' "Salon and Salon des Refusés" Continues in June Judge's Announce Award Winners
The call to artists this spring brought more than 100 works of art to the halls of Gualala Arts for the recently opened Salon and Salon des Refusés. For this year’s judges, April and Ron Dammann, the amazing quality of art was not a surprise as they’ve been judges in the past at Gualala Arts. They were judges for Art in the Redwoods in 2013, and for the 2017 Salon, where they shared judging duties with Karen Shapiro. The public is invited to view the art from 11:00am to 4:00pm every day.
The Dammann’s background in art and their affinity for the community makes it no surprise that they were asked to judge this year’s Salon. Their lives have been informed by art as both collectors and scholars. April Dammann is an art historian and art gallery archivist who has written four biographical art histories. She has degrees in French literature from UCLA, the University of Rochester and the Sorbonne, and she developed a career in screenwriting and theatrical production during her years in Hollywood.
Having earned a B.A. in art history/anthropology at the University of Arizona, Ron Dammann became a third generation art dealer with the Stendahl Galleries of Art, which his family operated for more than a century. His experience restoring, selling and appraising painting and sculpture increased the prestige of the historic gallery and led to his role as president.
The judging, which took place in the week leading up to the May 15 opening of the Salon, took in a wide variety of art. In addition to the top awards—Carol Chell’s watercolor “Cypress Shadows”, Joseph Rokovich’s photograph “Reflection”, and the “Paper Wings” sculpture by Susan Nutter, additional judges awards were announced. Those additional awards included Jane Casner Mothersill’s oil on linen image of a woman “Dreaming”—winner of the Refusés Founder’s Award, and “Fog”, an acrylic on canvas by Barbara Leon. One visitor commented that “looking into [Mothersill’s] ’Dreaming' was as inviting and calming to her as if it was she who was seated at the window looking out over the sea”. “Fog”, many have agreed, has a great deal of depth and detail, drawing the viewer in to appreciate the piece even more. As April Dammann said, “seeing it from a distance is a different experience than seeing it close up. . . . There are subtleties in the work but also things that are quite bold”. Sophia Sutherland’s ceramic piece, “Saving the Mermaid From Drowning” was described by Ron Dammann as being a “very strong piece, almost like a dancer, a ballet dancer, a modern dancer”.
A brief (7-minute) video of April and Ron Dammann discussing the exhibit and some of the awarded art is available by going to GualalaArts.org and clicking the link on the Salon page. The 2021 Salon and Salon des Refusés, with more than 100 works of art to explore and enjoy, continues every day in both the Burnett Gallery and the Foyer. And the entire collection is available to view online (and purchase online, if you wish). Gualala Arts is at 46501 Old State Highway, Gualala. More information is at 707.884.1138.
Images:
Top: "Reflection" by Joseph Rokovich
Middle, "Dreaming" by Jane Casner Mothersill
Bottom: "Saving the Mermaid from Drowning" by Sophia Sutherland
