Las Vegas – September 14, 2016 – Jana’s RedRoom Gallery, a Las Vegas art gallery located in the Arts District, officially opened the Inaugural Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition winner’s exhibit Saturday, Sept. 10 with a gala reception and ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by City of Las Vegas Councilman Bob Coffin.

More than 100 people attended the reception during the course of the evening. Guests included artists, art collectors, Las Vegas dignitaries, and invited guests from Las Vegas and across the U.S. and Canada.

Councilman Coffin lead the ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the art exhibit and presented a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Las Vegas celebrating this landmark occasion in the history of the Las Vegas Arts District to Jana Lynch and her husband Kevin Stepp, owners of Jana’s RedRoom Gallery, and the Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition event directors MaryAnn Ferguson and Laurie Kalnin. Councilman Coffin’s speech underscored the importance of this competition for the Las Vegas art community.

U.S. Congressman Joe Heck’s representative presented a Certificate of Recognition for the Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition which stated “Thank you for providing and promoting an International stage for the art community within our great state.”

Jana Lynch thanked everyone for joining the celebration to open the exhibit and recognize the winners of the first Las Vegas International Art Competition and added, “Congratulations to all the winning artists. You should be very proud. You are all stars and can really brag about being a winner in an International art competition. I am so personally proud to have your artwork showcased in this fabulous exhibit.”

Jana’s RedRoom Gallery invited emerging and established artists to submit original art and showcase their talents to art lovers from around the world in the Inaugural Las Vegas Juried Art Competition. The competition closed June 30 with 207 artists entering more than 350 individual pieces of art. Artists from 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 11 countries, including Armenia, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Germany, Iran, Italy, Russia, South Africa and Switzerland entered the competition.

WINNERS – http://janasredroom.com/2016/09/bestinshow/ ‎

Nine jurors from across the U.S. and Europe judged the artwork submitted in nine categories: ceramics, drawing, glass, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and other art forms. The artwork on exhibit through the end of September includes the Best of Show grand prize winner, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category, and 19 Honorable Mention winners in a variety of categories. All artwork and prints of the winning art are for sale.

JURORS – http://janasredroom.com/2016/09/2016-jurors/ ‎

Denise Weaver Ross from Albuquerque, New Mexico was the grand prize winner with her drawing “The Jacks of Jupiter”. Denise will have a solo show at Jana’s RedRoom Gallery August 2017.

About Jana’s RedRoom Gallery, The Heart of the Arts District
Jana Lynch opened Jana’s RedRoom, a working art studio and gallery, in July 2012. Today, more than 200 artists are associated with Jana’s RedRoom. Jana created the Las Vegas Invitational Juried Art Competition as part of her goal to help artists develop International credentials and be introduced to designers, corporate buyers and art collectors around the world. Jana’s RedRoom Gallery is located in the Arts Factory, in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District at 107 E. Charleston Blvd. Suite 135, Las Vegas, NV 80104.

Read more here about the event – http://janasredroom.com/2016/09/overflow-crowd-at-gala-for-las-vegas-international-juried-art-competition/

Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition 2016 Jurors

James P. Bender
Bainbridge Island, Washington

Fabienne Blanc
Six Fours les Plages, France

Gil Gilbert
Brooklyn, New York

Lisa Jeremias
Chicago, Illinois

Luwana Masteller
Las Vegas, Nevada

Robert Mickelsen
Mims, Florida

Alyssa Miller
Essex, Massachusetts

Lisa Morris
Dallas, Texas

Frank Polito
Las Vegas, Nevada

 A CLOSER LOOK:

James P. Bender – Sculptor
Bainbridge Island, Washington

Jim is recognized for his significant contributions to Contemporary Northwest Coast Indian Art works. His work summons dignity and refinement, honoring this traditional art form through the use of clean, simple lines and impeccable craftsmanship.

While earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Seattle’s University of Washington, Jim began carving Northwest Native American art. During his early years, he studied under Bill Holm and Duane Pasco, noted artists who have made major contributions to the revival of Northwest Indian art. In appreciation of those who shared their artistry with him during his apprenticeship, Jim continues to pass on his craft by teaching other artists.

James lives and works on Bainbridge Island, Washington and teaches Contemporary Northwest Coastal Art and jewelry making at Wolfdancer Studio on Lopez Island, Washington. Earlier in his career, Jim worked at the Seattle Art Museum and the Ketchikan Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska. He attended University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington School of Art and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from University of Washington, Seattle.

James’ most celebrated pieces are two fifty-foot poles located at Victor Steinbrueck Park in Seattle’s Pike Place Market and five totem poles at Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim, Washington. Renowned for their elegance and sensuality, the totem poles are recognized among the finest and most viewed examples of contemporary Northwest Coast Indian Art in the United States. Visit www.nwart-jpbender.com for more information.

Fabienne Blanc -Artist
Six Fours les Plages, France

Fabienne was born and raised in the South of France where she attended the University of Nice and the Beaux Arts in Toulon. After living and painting in Hawaii for 20 years, Fabienne returned to the South of France in 2004 and currently resides in Six Fours les Plages. Known in Hawaii for her large watercolors of flowers, fruit and foliage, she has now adapted to her Mediterranean environment and paints local subjects such as fishing boats, reflection on the ocean and related images.

Fabienne has won numerous awards, including First Hawaiian Bank Acquisition Award and Best in Show Hawaii Watercolor Society Show. Collectors of her work include State Foundation on Culture and Arts, Hawaii; Campbell Estate, Hawaii; and numerous hotels, restaurants and offices, such as Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Ala Moana Hotel, Hyatt Regency/Guam, and Boracay Blue Water Hotel/Philippines. Several of Fabienne’s paintings were selected for the TV show “Hawaii 5-0” and the movie “The Descendants” with George Clooney.

Some of Fabienne’s recent solo shows include Galerie “Il était une fois” Sanary, France; Le Café Théatre, Monaco; Restaurant “Lou Figuier” Le Brusc, France; Galerie Tsadé Nice, France; Cedar Street Gallery Honolulu, Hawaii; and L’art à la bouche Sanary, France. To learn more about Fabienne visit www.fabienneblanc.com.

Gil Gilbert – Producer/Director/Photographer
Brooklyn, New York

Gil has more than 20 year of experience as a producer, director, editor and photographer. He worked as a producer/director for Sony Music Studios in New York City where he and his team earned a reputation for producing some of the most innovative work in the industry. At Sony, Gil produced a variety of projects including Billy Joel, Titanic, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, and Roger Waters. After leaving Sony, Gil worked for The Metropolitan Opera and earned several awards for his productions.

Some of Gil’s projects include Metropolitan Opera Peabody and Emmy Award winning series “Live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera” broadcast live to movie theaters worldwide; Ippolita Jewelry in-store promos for Saks, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus, as well as content for all websites; and Olana Foundation major fundraiser with videos honoring Martha Stewart and Marty Hecksher, curator for the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Since 2010 Gil has been working independently under Gil Gilbert Productions, a boutique production company located in Brooklyn, NY specializing in producing creative, tailored pieces for branding and promotion. For the last two years Gil has worked in Italy to provide content for the launch of Artemest, a new website featuring Italian artisans and their work. Artemest brings together more than 100 Italian artisans. Collections include fine art, furniture, sculptures, jewellery and a wide range of design objects that until now were not available outside of the artists’ studios. Artemest.com was launched in 2015 to great critical acclaim, and was featured in Elle Décor, Forbes, Financial Times, NY Times, W Magazine, and Wall Street Journal to name a few. Visit www.gildirects.com.

Lisa Jeremias – Owner, Corporate Images Fine Art
Chicago, Illinois

Lisa Jeremias is the owner of Corporate Images Fine Art, a corporate art consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois. For more than 30 years, they have placed beautiful artwork and provide custom framing for large and small corporations across the United States.

With a background of design and art history, Lisa’s goal is to have art become an essential part of her clients’ everyday experience. She believes that art adds value to an environment. She works diligently to deliver creative art solutions that reflect her clients’ culture, values, and overall image.

Lisa specializes in original prints, watercolors, paintings, fine art posters, giclees and wall sculptures. Her philosophy is to take a more adventurous approach in helping her clients choose works of art to create an environment that is uniquely their own. Lisa and her team work enthusiastically with all clients, whether they are a small local office or one of their major accounts.

Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition was a great away for her to view fresh original art created by artists around the world. For more information, visit her Facebook page: Corporate Images fine art.

Luwana Masteller – Owner, VastArray® Advertising Design
Adjunct Instructor, UNLV College of Fine Art, Art Department
Las Vegas, Nevada

Luwana established VastArray®, an award-winning graphic design and marketing services firm in 1995. Her clients include local, national, and international businesses, Advertising and Public Relations agencies, artists, non-profits and municipalities. She specializes in strategic graphic design, cohesive branding and identity development, integrated marketing solutions, and custom printing.

Luwana’s fine art experience includes printing (silk screen, etching, linoleum, wood cuts), sculpture (mixed media, slip, acrylic and metal casting, clay, metal, wood, welding), jewelry, painting, and illustration.

Luwana studied graphic design in Los Angeles and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she occasional teaches Graphic Design courses to degree seeking students. Prior to starting VastArray, Luwana produced custom fine and commercial art for private exhibition, clothes, set design and marketing, as well as coordinated specialty printing and served as art director at busy agencies.

Some of Luwana’s awards include Small Business Administration Nevada Home Based Business Champion of the Year; Graphic Design USA Awards for Corporate Branding Programs, Homer Awards for Best Single Product Advertising Campaigns, and an IABC Bronze Quill. Visit www.VastArray.com to learn more about Luwana and VastArray Advertising Design.

Robert Mickelsen – Flameworked Glass
Mims, Florida

Robert was born in Virginia and raised in Hawaii. He currently resides and works in his studio in Mims, Florida. Robert studied with some of the premiere names in flameworked glass art, including Steven L. Sebaugh at Glass Impressions, Greeley, Colorado; Paul Stankard, Lampworking Class at Penland, North Carolina; and Bill Gudenrath, The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

He shows his work in some of the finest galleries in the country and participates in prominent exhibitions each year. His work is exhibited in many prominent collections including the Renwick Gallery of American Crafts at the Smithsonian Institution, the Corning Museum of Glass, The Toledo Museum of Art, The Museum of Arts and Design, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Mint Museum, The Cleveland Museum of Art, and The Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village.

Some of Robert’s special honors and awards include Best of Category, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show; First Place Niche Awards: Non-functional Glass, Lampworking, Teapots; and selected for the Annual Pilchuck Exhibit at Seattle-Tacoma Airport. Robert served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Glass Art Society and was also Treasurer and Vice President.

Robert has taught extensively a the major glass schools including the Pilchuck Glass School, Penland School of Crafts, The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass, and The Pittsburgh Glass Center. He has filmed and produced two videos on his flameworking process and has published numerous technical and historical articles on flameworked glass. Learn more about Robert and his flameworked glass at www.mickelsenstudios.com.

Alyssa Miller – Metalsmith, AcMetalworks
Essex, Massachusetts

Alyssa has worked in a variety of fields within the jewelry industry. She earned her degree in Metals and Jewelry from Savannah College of Art and Design. Despite having a fondness for the southern way of life and the city of Savannah, Alyssa returned to New England to grow her career as an artist.

Today Alyssa owns AcMetalworks, which creates custom jewelry for jewelry collectors and boutiques. All of Alyssa’s creations are one-of-a-kind or made in small batches. Since nature is all around her, Alyssa incorporates natural themes and materials in her artwork.

Nature sets her pace of life, so following her example, each piece is individually hand crafted. In this time of mass produced, cookie cutter jewelry, AcMetalworks strives to return to the roots of wearable art. Each piece is as unique as the wearer. Meant to be worn, loved and stand the test of time.

Alyssa was featured in a MJAS feature article about jewelry design. MJAS is the professional association of Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design. Learn more about Alyssa and AcMetalworks at http://acmetalworks.com.

Lisa B. Morris – Owner of Lisa B. Morris Interior Designers
Dallas, Texas

Lisa is a Dallas-based interior designer with more than 25 years of experience working with clients to bring their interior design dreams to reality. She earned her degree in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Dallas. Prior to her commitment to residential design, Lisa was the lead interior designer and manager for Beverly Enterprises, the largest healthcare and retirement living provider in the United States.

Lisa believes art is an integral element in all her interior designs and it is often the basis for her inspiration. She was delighted to be introduced to new artists and their award-winning artwork as a judge for the Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition 2016.

In addition to her own clients, she often works directly with other interior designers and their clients to bring projects together. Lisa’s work with builders, remodelers and homeowners in the Dallas area ranges from remodeling a room to total home renovations. Her mantra is “Information is inspiration!” As Lisa becomes familiar with her client’s life style and design preferences she applies that information during the design process to create a beautiful, functional space that reflects their unique personality. Learn more about Lisa and her elegant interior design projects at www.lisabmorrisinteriors.com.

Frank Polito – Artist & Art Instructor
Las Vegas, Nevada

Frank has been an artist and art instructor for more than 40 years. His journey as an artist started with the help of an art teacher at East Los Angeles Community College. After many years of study, including a BA and MA in Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton and teaching certifications, Frank continued with his passion of creating art and teaching.

Frank earned his teaching credentials at California State University, Los Angeles. He is certified to teach at California Community Colleges and K-12 in California and Nevada.

Frank is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. After he served in the Navy, Frank was a part-time ceramics instructor at East Los Angeles College, where he started his art career 10 years prior. He owned a pottery studio and school in Leominster, Mass. and was a ceramics instructor in Watertown, Mass. Frank was an art instructor at Ramona Convent Secondary School in California and a Clark County School District art instructor in Nevada. He currently creates his artwork and teaches ceramics in Las Vegas.