For the Tomahawk Leader
RHINELANDER – Nicolet College in Rhinelander will host one of Wisconsin’s premier art exhibits next month.
An opening reception of the 36th Northern National Art Competition will be held in the Nicolet College Art Gallery on Thursday, June 15 at 5 p.m.
“Top contemporary artists from the across the country submitted works for this juried competition,” said Jenny Bonardelli, Nicolet College Arts and Events Manager. “Only the finest pieces were selected, resulting in an amazing collection that rises to a very high standard.”
The event is co-sponsored by the Northern Arts Council, which awards $8,500.00 in prize money to artists judged to have created the best works.
The reception will include a light buffet, wine, live music by Darlene Cole and commentary from this year’s judge, F. Lennox “Lenny” Campello.
“Known internationally for narrative-driven paintings and drawings and technology-infused mixed media works, Campello has worked as an artist, gallerist, curator, art critic, instructor, author and arts blogger in the Greater Washington, D.C., area for over three decades,” Nicolet stated. “He was named one of D.C.’s ‘most interesting people’ by the Washington City Paper in 2016.”
Nicolet said Campello pored over 612 images submitted by hundreds of artists from 43 states, in the end selecting 96 pieces for the exhibit.
“Everyone is invited and encouraged to join us at our opening reception,” Bonardelli stated. “It’s always a remarkable evening in celebration of the artists whose work has been chosen for the exhibition. It’s always an enjoyable experience to take a leisurely stroll to savor the exhibition while enjoying a glass of wine and a plate of hors d’ouevres and then to join exhibit juror and judge Lenny Campello as he shares his remarks on the curation of this prestigious national show.”
Tickets for the opening reception are $20.00 and can be purchased at Child’s Frame Shop in downtown Rhinelander, any Northern Arts Council member, or from Bonardelli, who can be contacted at [email protected] or 715-365-4669.
Admission to the exhibit will be free after the opening reception.
The Nicolet Art Gallery, located in the Northwoods Center on the Rhinelander Campus, is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; Fridays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Northern National Art Competition exhibit will run through Friday, July 28.
