The Morristown Art Association’s 53rd Annual Juried Art Show is currently on display throughout the month of June at Rose Center in Morristown.

The show was curated by members of the Morristown Art Association, led by show committee chair Carmalitta Barbour, who welcomed attendees to a reception and awards presentation held on Sunday afternoon in the Rose Center rotunda.

The show’s juror was Carl Gombert, Professor of Art at Maryville College, who had many good things to say about this year’s show and its award winners.

“I am both grateful for and honored by the opportunity to jury this year’s show,” Gombert wrote in a statement that was read by Barbour at the reception.

The Best of Show award was presented to Stephanie Swift for “Floridian Vanitas.”

The Brenda Dugger Memorial Award went to Sita Loop for “Raven Rising.”

Mike Sandlock received the Virginia Bellamy Memorial Award for his “Dragon Flier.”

Merit awards went to: Lois Armstrong (Green Green Grass of Home), Sharon Ball (Grizzly Country), Carmalitta Barbour (Finding My Own Way) and Betty Bullen (Hand Maiden). Honorable Mention wen to Mike Cagle (Yellow, Blue, and Black), Mike Everidge (Bunny), Dan Gibson (Fantasy), Deirdre McAdams (Two Bowls), Mike Sandlock (Cruso, NC-No Fishing Allowed) and Irene Weiler (Molly).

The Rose Center Award was given to Sharon Ball for “The Way it Was.”

Gombert’s evaluated each award winner.

Swift’s “Floridian Vanitas” was described by Gombert as an “exquisite little painting.”

“It is delicately and expertly painted and balances a wealth of art historical references with a subtle wit. Symbols of death, decay and the fleeting nature of existence lurk within the still life,” he said.

Loop’s painting, “Raven Rising” is both a striking formal statement and powerful evocation of myth, according to Gombert.

Sandlock’s sculpture, “Dragon Flier is clever and witty.

“I appreciate not only the innovated re-use of ordinary objects, but also the art nouveau palette,” Gombert said.

His assessment of the other show awards winners continued.

“Sharon Ball’s ‘Grizzly Country’ is expertly composed and strikingly dramatic. Betty Bullen’s portrait, ‘The Hand Maiden,’ is more than a convincing likeness; it is a successful exploration of complementary colors as well. Lois Armstrong’s landscape ‘Green, Green, Green Grass of Home’ is charming and rewards the viewer who looks closely. Carmalitta Barbour’s collage, ‘Finding My Own Way’ evokes a sense of memory and nostalgia through careful layering, effective composition and subtle historic references. Mike Cagle’s work ‘Yellow, Blue and Black’ is simple but not simplistic. This piece effectively creates a striking composition reminiscent of early modern paints. Irene Weiler’s portrait of ‘Molly’ the sheep is genuinely engaging,” Gombert said.

“Mike Everidge’s ‘Bunny’ is a great character,” Gombert said. “I would like to see a children’s book featuring this guy!”

“Deidre McAdams’ glasswork is impressive: simple, colorful forms engage the viewer,” he said. “Mike Sandlock’s drawing ‘Cruso, N.C. – No Fishing Allowed’ is subtle and humorous. The idea of a deer performing to an empty theater is amusing,” he said. “Dan Gibson’s painting ‘fantasy’ presents a gorgeous surface and the interplay of a flat abstract pattern with representations of bottles and flowers is interesting.”

In summary, Gombert said, “I firmly believe that artists sharing their work with an audience is a type of gift giving. To all the artists participating in this show, let me say, ‘Thanks again for sharing your gifts.’”

The Morristown Art Association encourages the community to view the show at the Rose Center June 5-29, Monday-Friday, in the Edith Davis Gallery. For more information about the MAA, visit morristownart.org.