Standard Fine Art Gallery & Awards 2024

Welcome! Congratulations!

On behalf of everyone associated with the MasterWorks of New Mexico 2024 show of some of New Mexico’s finest paintings in most media and styles, I congratulate all artists who entered, and those who were judged award recipients! Our Jurors deserve praise, as well as our Judge, for giving time and expertise to this challenging jurying process. And a big thank you goes to all our volunteers from our arts organizations, award sponsors, and everyone else who invested time and support for this our 24th show!

Enjoy! – Barbara Lohbeck

JUDGE OF AWARDS STANDARD FINE ART DIVISION
DONNY WEBER
Jurors: Ric Dentinger and Peggy Immel

COMMENTS BY DONNY WEBER

For Donny Weber, every painting “needs a big idea”. From that idea, the work evolves. Originality, creativity, design elements, demonstrating mastery of the medium, and presentation are just a few of the key components leading to an award-winning piece. It is the skill exhibited by the artist in incorporating these components that differentiates the professional from the amateur. One of the key roles of the judge is to evaluate the inclusion and mastery of these features in any given work.

Of course, art also elicits reactions not only for the judge but for the observer, whether knowledgeable or novice. Does the piece tell a story? Is there an intellectual and/or emotional connection? Is there a uniqueness that is appreciated by the observer? Does it stir a memory? Does it speak to you? Given the diverse personalities a show like MasterWorks appeals to, the works by this year’s exhibitors are clearly pieces worthy of praise.

If “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” (Pablo Picasso), then we invite you to delve into the thoughts and visions of these artists. Your attendance confirms appreciation for their dedication to the language of art, their creativity and their hard work.

“I appreciate everyone’s hard work and I am honored to have judged the show. Thank you.”