The West Virginia Juried Exhibition is a biennial reminder of the vibrant artistic spirit thriving in the Mountain State.
EVERY OTHER YEAR SINCE 1979, the West Virginia Juried Exhibition—organized by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History—has highlighted the very best artistic endeavors in the state. It has evolved to become a premier juried show, not only in West Virginia, but also across the country.
“The artwork in this show is simply astounding,” says Charles Morris III, director of museums for the state agency. “The judges are consistently amazed by the talent and creativity on display.”
Artists from across the state and region submit their work for consideration, Morris explains, in media from painting, textiles, and sculpture to digital art and photography. The selection process is rigorous, with judges often expressing great difficulty in selecting the winners in a field of “such outstanding submissions.”
The exhibition’s impact on individual artists goes beyond the $33,000 in prize money that’s up for grabs. The works chosen to receive the Governor’s Awards and Awards of Excellence also become part of the West Virginia State Museum’s permanent collection. “We exhibit these pieces and rotate them with a variety of different themes,” Morris says. “The past 20 years of winners, collectively, have really helped us to create one of the top contemporary arts collections in the country.”
The biennial show also helps the artists grow businesses, he says, with many reporting that having their work in the state museum collection has opened up opportunities to exhibit in other places. “So many artists tell us how much the juried exhibition helps them in the long run with both marketing and selling their art,” Morris says, “essentially even helping to launch artistic careers.”
The next West Virginia Juried Exhibition is set for November 2025, and preparation is underway. Morris urges all emerging artists creating works in the Mountain State and beyond to participate. “Do not hesitate to submit your work. Many artists underestimate their own abilities. But it’s a chance worth taking. The exhibition remains a pivotal opportunity for artists to gain exposure and recognition, regardless of their prior exhibition experience.” wvculture.org/agencies/arts
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SUMMER 2024 ISSUE
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