The Show Must Go On! 

Exploring new territory can be exciting. Learning to show and talk about art in a digital world is a challenge for most of us. There are many attempts at breaking this barrier one can explore for information. Museums and galleries are offering online exhibitions and curator’s talks. Artists are posting films of themselves and their work. Dance performances are particularly interesting or perhaps more easily accessible, as they are dynamic. But presenting still images poses many problems.

In the case of two-dimensional works, we are learning how important photography becomes when color, texture, and scale are perceived in an entirely different manner. In the case of the Emeryville project, the privilege of actually visiting artists’ studios as well as hearing their personal comments about the work has always been a vital part of the jury process. This year jurors were required to review submitted works on line and visitors to the exhibition will also do so seated in front of their monitors. This demands an entirely different attention and approach. Kathryn Funk and Christine Koppes were generous with their time and skills as this year’s jurors.

Discussions on screen can be exciting and stimulating or crushingly boring. We are beginning to have a new appreciation of actors and commentators who can demand attention on a small screen.

We also now have a new appreciation of gallery and museum spaces where we could once wonder leisurely, move in close, retrace our steps in order to take a second look, sit on that bench and contemplate an extraordinary work. We are certainly gaining a better appreciation of the struggles of children and teachers in this era of online learning.

After thirty-four years, the well-proven methods for producing the annual Emeryville Celebration of the Arts were suddenly no longer relevant. Credit for keeping the exhibition alive by re-creating it on line is due to determination of administrator Sharon Wilchar and to Linda Lee Boyd who, unlike many of my generation, navigates the digital world with ease and grace.

Reviewing the online gallery, you will find new works by many old friends as well as entries by new members of Emeryville’s large creative community.

Enjoy the show!

Kathleen Hanna
Curator

Jurors

Kathleen Hanna
Curator

Kathryn Funk

Christine Koppes