Michael was in the "Art Melt," a juried art exhibition in Baton Rouge... It took place in the Brunner Gallery, in the Shaw Center for the Arts. Close to 600 artists entered the show, only about 70 pieces were chosen to be in the show. From those 70 pieces, 8 awards were given and Michael won two out of the 8 awards!!! He won an "honorable mention" (which he received a ribbon for) and the "Forum 35" award (which he received a trophy for). The Forum 35 is a non-profit art organization in Baton Rouge who organizes the show among many other events. With that award, he will be on all the posters and postcards next year, which will advertise for the 2010 "Art Melt." In addition, one of the three jurors contacted Michael on the side, wanting to see more of his art. She is a gallery owner in Baton Rouge; if she likes the rest of his art, she may hang some of Michael's work in her gallery.

I included pictures of the pieces that won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes (which included cash prizes). Let's just say, I don't agree with the jurors' decisions! Art is very subjective, I suppose.

2nd place winner


3rd place winner

1st place winner - this picture actually doesn't do the work justice... I don't think it was deserving of 1st place, but an up-close photo would have shown the good drawing quality...


I couldn't resist taking a picture of this one... the artist used shredded US currency to make a collage of Obama. The photo of the eye is a close-up picture to show how tiny the pieces are. It must have taken the artist forever to finish this piece. He titled it "Dollars Not Change."

Michael and I had a great time together. We haven't had a "date" in a really long time! It was nice to dress up, have dinner and enjoy the art show all without kids!

Michael had another show earlier tonight in Covington. He didn't win any awards in this one, although it still looks good on a resume if you are even accepted into any kind of juried art exhibition. I have a lot of pictures from tonight, but I'll have to post them some other time... it's after midnight and I really need to get to bed!

Finally, Michael's interview at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College went well last wed.
They said it may take 2-3 weeks before they'll give him a call to let him know whether or not he has the job... talk about an excrutiating wait!