February 11, 2022
Press Release
Women in the Arts 2022 “Celebrating the Genius of Women”
11th. Annual Art Competition
The artists listed below were selected to be in this year’s competition and recognition events at the Orlando Public Library. The jury decision is final and no individual reviews are provided.
The exhibition opens March 10 through April 22, 2022. The Women in the Arts Awards reception and “Meet the Artist” gallery walk is March 26 at 2:00 PM. All events are free and open to the public.
Total entries: 121 | Local 48.4%; U.S. 17.2%; International 34.4%.
Artists recognized: 18 | Local: 4-Finalists; 7-Honor Awards; 4-United States; 3-International
Artists indicated on the entry form, their level of expertise based on their years of proven experience and work in the visual arts.
Level I, Emerging 2+ years
Level II, Professional 5+ years
Level III, Masters 15+ years
Level IV, Emeritus: 25+ years
Finalists | Local Artists
A collection of work was selected from each artist. The artists’ names are listed alphabetically.
Congratulations!
Allison Pasarew
Orange County, Florida
Mixed media
Level III. Masters
Diane Baires
Polk County, Florida
Charcoal on paper
Level II. Professional
Dr. Eileen Hernández
Orange County, Florida
Mixed Media
Level I. Emerging
Janessa Douds
Lake County, Florida
Acrylic on wood Level I. Emerging
These artists were selected finalists and are eligible for cash awards after the final voting by members of Women in the Arts’ Jury team at the finalist’s art exhibition at the Orlando Public Library.
Honor Awards | Local Artists
This year the selecting team was awarded seven Honor Awards with cash prizes. These artists are invited to exhibit their winning art at the library.
Congratulations!
Level I – Emerging Awards
– Ella Snyder
Seminole County, Florida
“Alone In The Grand Canyon”
Photography
– Erica Brown
Seminole County, Florida
“Katie’s Dream”
Oil on canvas
Level II – Professional Awards
– Cherie Montonye Dowd
Osceola County, Florida
“Starting Over”
Oil on Canvas
– Janis Nunez
Orange County, Florida
“The Displaced”
Mosaic
Level III- Masters Awards
– Kira Gondeck-Silvia
Seminole County, Florida
“Portrait Of A Panic Attack”
Digital media painting from self video-photograph
-Vanessa Balleza
Orange County, Florida
“Te Miro”
Oil on canvas
Level IV- Emeritus Awards
– Pamela Loudon
Orange County, Florida
“Tearing Me Off The Wall”
Digital Photograph
Recognition | U.S. and International Artists
Selected artwork from the seven artists will be on digital display at the exhibition during March and April at the Orlando Public Library. Artists are invited to attend the Women in the Arts Awards event on March 26 and receive recognition as this year’s honorees. United States
Congratulations!
Level II – Professional Awards
Julie Orsini Shakher
Hollywood, Florida
“Entwined No. 2”
Silverpoint on board
Level III- Masters Awards
Andrina Carey
Ormond Beach, Florida
“What’s Next Self Portrait”
Oil on panel
Callie Danae Hirsch
Brooklyn, New York
“Pandemic Daydreams VII”
Acrylic on canvas
Level IV- Emeritus Awards
Beau Wild
Port Orange, Florida
“Silence of Violence”
Acrylic on canvas
International
Congratulations!
Level II – Professional Awards
Ndunde Bulimo
Nairobi, Kenya
“Women In Headwrap”
Woodcut print
Vardit Goldner
Israel
“Consolation”
Social Documentary Photography
Level III- Masters Awards
Helena Wadsley
Vancouver, Canada
“Annie Dalton”
Garments and pigment installation
Awards 2022
Local Artists Awards
● Cash award: 1st. place, $500.00, 2nd. place $450.00, 3rd. place $400.00., 4th. place 350.00. Honor Awards: Level IV-$300; Level III-$250; Level II-$200.00;
Level I-$100.00. Total cash award this year: $ 3,100.00.
● Patron’s Choice Award Certificate. Library patrons are invited to vote for their favorite piece in the exhibition on-site or online at facebook.com/oclslib March 10-19. The winning artist will receive a Patron’s Choice Award certificate.
● On-site exhibition at the Orlando Public Library gallery. March 10-April 22.
● Online exhibition of selected art at the OCLS social media site.
● Public recognition at the Women in the Arts Awards reception on March 26.
● Publicity on printed and/or online media outlets.
● On-site professional group portrait on March 26 by Studio T Photography.
● Memberships to the Mennello Museum of American Art and Orlando Museum of Art in Orlando, Florida. U.S. and International Artists In-Kind Awards
● Award Certificate from Women in the Arts Inc. to selected artists.
● Digital exhibition on-site of selected art at the Orlando Public Library. March 10-April 22.
● Invitation to attend the 11th. annual Women in the Arts Awards event.
● Public recognition at the Women in the Arts Awards reception on March 26.
● Publicity on printed and/or online media outlets. No cash awards.
● On-site professional group portrait on March 26 by Studio T Photography.
Jury
Art Competition Jury
This jury selects local finalists and honor awards.
Maria Guerrero
Women in the Arts Inc.
Founder & Executive Director
Sandra de Nijs
Women in the Arts Inc.
Advisory Board
Susan Torregrosa
Women in the Arts Inc.
Board of Directors
Finalist Jury
This jury votes on placement of the local finalists. Cash prizes are awarded by Women in the Arts based on this placement.
The jury invited for this process includes: Museum curators, art educators, past competition winners, a representative from the Orlando Public Library, and Women in the Arts board of directors. U.S. and International Artists Juror
Maria Guerrero
Women in the Arts
Founder & Executive Director
Press Contact
Maria Guerrero
Founder & Executive Director
Women in the Arts Inc.
Phone: 407 900-5918
Email: womeninthearts@gmail.com
Web: www.womeninthearts.org
Tatiana Fagen
Community Outreach Coordinator
Orange County Library System | Community Relations
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: 407 637-4268
Email: tfagen@ocls.info
Web: ocls.info
Partners and Sponsors
This program is funded by Women in the Arts Inc. in partnership with the Orlando Public
Library, Studio T Photography, The Mennello Museum of American Art, and Orlando
Museum of Art.
