Best of the Blue Ridge Juried Exhibit

An annual juried art competition and exhibit established by the Ashe County Arts Council to showcase outstanding original visual art in Ashe County and the surrounding region. The artwork will be judged on qualities of concept, execution of ideas and subject, and uniqueness of expression.

Dates:

Entry Drop-Off: October 7-8, 10 am – 5 pm
Exhibit: October 10 – November 18, 2024
Reception & Awards: October 11, 5:30 pm

Thank you to our Award Sponsor: Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff

Best in Show: $500 CJAS Gift Certificate

First Place: $250 CJAS Gift Certificate

Second Place: $150 CJAS Gift Certificate

Third Place: $100 CJAS Gift Certificate

Honorable Mention: Rosette

JUROR: STEPHAN DRAGISIC

Stephan Dragisic is the Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. Previously, Stephan served on the leadership team of Reynolda House Museum of American Art for more than thirteen years. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History from High Point University, Dragisic has a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Essentials from Wake Forest University. 

Community service has been and will remain important to Stephan. While at Reynolda, his service to the community included serving as a trustee for the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, President of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, and Arts Day Committee Chair for Leadership Winston-Salem. Additionally, he has served on the Diggs Gallery Advisory Board, Delta Arts Center 50th Anniversary Committee, Board member of the Downtown Arts District Association, and the Salem College 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Stephan has been a part-time resident of the High Country for the past twenty years.

Eligibility: 

All visual artists 18 years of age and older residing in Ashe County and its contiguous counties (Alleghany, Watauga, Wilkes, Grayson and Johnson) are eligible.

•  Work must be original and executed within the last 3 years and not previously exhibited at Ashe Arts Center.

•  Work must not have been created as part of a workshop.

•  Eligible works include paintings, drawings, hand-pulled prints, and two dimensional collage works (non-sculptural.)Photography, computer generated, or digitally altered imagery are not permitted.

•  All works must be framed or gallery wrapped with painted edges and ready to hang with wire. Work that is overly fragile or not ready to hang will not be considered.

•  The maximum dimension is 44 inches including the frame.

Entry Procedure:

The entry fee is $10 per piece, non-refundable. Each artist is allowed to enter up to two works. Diptychs count as two entries. Checks should be made payable to Ashe County Arts Council. Partial fees are not accepted.

Preparation and Delivery: Works must be hand-delivered to the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson on Monday, October 7, (10am-4pm) or Tuesday, October 9 (10am-4pm.) Slides and photos of work will not be accepted; the exhibit selection and awards will be done directly from the submitted works.

Pick Up:

Works not accepted into the exhibit must be picked up from the Ashe Arts Center between Wednesday, October 10 and Thursday, October 11.