Annual Carnegie art showcase now open

From a record-breaking 292 entries, jurors have selected 90 works that are on display in the annual Carnegie Art Showcase exhibition taking place this summer at the Carnegie Arts Center in downtown Turlock. The juried exhibition is a celebration of artistic excellence, awarding a total of $2,350 in prize money. The show will be on view in the CAC’s Ferrari Gallery now through Aug. 30 and a free public reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

Works in all media were submitted by artists from Central California and beyond. The final group selected for the exhibition includes works by 54 artists representing 24 different regional communities.

The exhibition is always open to entries in all media, which this year include paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, ceramics, wood, photographs, fiber arts, collage, mixed media, and installation works. CAC Director Lisa McDermott said that the exhibition “represents the wide range of creativity that we find in the visual arts of this region. We are reaching more artists every year and seeing an increasing variety in the works we get to feature.” She points to the selection of many established local artists for the show, as well as several artists who are appearing in the CAC galleries for the first time.

“This is what makes the show unique and exciting every year.”

Gallery Talks with several of the award-winning artists will take place at 6 p.m. on July 24 and Aug. 28.

Judges for the 2025 Art Showcase were: Martin Azevedo, printmaker & Art Department Chair, CSU Stanislaus; Franka Gabler, award-winning photographer; and Daniel Van Gerpen, painter & graphic designer.

Award Winners this year are:

— Best of Show: Larry Whatley, Aura #2, oil