Riverviews’ Emerging Artist Series presents: Jurgen Ziesmann’s “Somewhere Between Biology and Dreams,” on view from January 5th through February 15th, 2024.

Hundreds of artists from throughout the United States enter their artwork of any medium into this competitive event at which the juror will select finalists to exhibit at Riverviews Artspace in November and December of 2023. Now a nation-wide call for entry, the Riverviews Artspace Annual Juried Art Show has been a tradition for 15 years. Artists of any media and subject matter, from any US state can enter 3 works for consideration to the chosen juror, Laura Pharis.

From starting my journey playing D3 football not knowing what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, to transferring to a community college in Harrisonburg, Virginia where I started taking art classes. There I would first get the art bug while taking painting, art appreciation, and ceramics. A little after my first year there, COVID-19 hit which left me at home, and with hours of time on my hands. The path to creating wasn't always clear, straight, or easy to navigate, but it has been one of the most rewarding & fulfilling things I've ever done ready and I'm excited for the continued journey ahead.

My goal as an artist is to push impressionism and realism as far as I can take it. I want viewers to understand what they're looking at but also understand the essence of each subject. It's important to me to go against the grain of tradition that limits what each piece of art will look like.

My work is inspired by the beauty and drama of the natural world, which I attempt to capture and convey to the viewer through the strategic use of color and light. I am particularly fascinated with the ephemeral, shape-shifting cloud formations and kaleidoscopic light shows I witness daily, living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

To capture the beauty of a moment, a place, be it in nature or in a person, is a power of photography that I have fallen in love with. In my short adventures in the world, I have been blown away time and time again by these gems, sometimes hidden in plain sight. From the churning waters of Oahu’s shores, to the warm Texas sunlight filtered by trees and tall grass, I intend to share as much beauty as I possibly can. These moments speak to me, and maybe they speak to you as well. What draws you in more, fills you with peace or excitement? I personally enjoy the big, spacious scenes where nature is untouched, thriving and powerful.

These works each celebrate what we have, or mourn what has been lost. Whiteside's acrylic paintings feature dark voids in juxtaposition with lighter values, conveying not only a distinction between these opposing values, but also a sense of interlocked inseparability. Kaluszka's cyanotype photographs have a similar quality, with flat white silhouettes that both represent natural elements, as well as suggest a void where that same thing is missing. This is combined with hazy atmospheric qualities, as well as more traditionally photographed elements, resulting in imagery that is both recognizably physical and yet intangible, with familiar elements from a variety of contexts spliced together into mysterious dreamscapes. Kaluszka's sculptural ceramics and watercolors compel us to relish in the natural beauty that is perhaps accessible to many of us, but often overlooked and unconsciously missed.

Sharon K. Lester is a naive artist with no formal training. I began painting in 2016 after going to a sip and paint. I became obsessed with creating Art and have done so for the past 6 years. I am a retired USPS Rural Letter Carrier serving Appomattox County.

The natural rhythmic flow hypnotizes.

Through video, I isolate water from its natural surroundings and place it into circumstance that opens the audience to a state of receptivity and thought not normally associated with water. Images form a bridge between the consciousness of the water and the consciousness of the viewer. I don’t tame the water. It is uncontrolled except for compositional placement, contrast and time shifts. Improvising, to isolate, as to see the quiddity of the water within the space is the objective.

Cindy Wood teaches beginning drawing, pen and inks, charcoal, colored pencil, and watercolor painting at Tradewynd Art Studio. Her students consist of Jr. High through High School ages. They study Upper torso anatomy for Portraiture, and 3D Drawing. Their year consists of drawing studies and 2 Completed Projects of our studies by the end of the school year.

My art expresses themes of youth, self identity, femininity, love, and happiness; all things that are of great importance to me. I enjoy incorporating bright colors and whimsical characters in my pieces to ultimately bring joy to myself and others.