Juried Art Show to Lift Off at Museum

Montecito’s only juried art exhibition moves to the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art after a one-year hiatus, featuring the works of 58 different artists May 17-June 30. “LIFT 2012” celebrates the lift off of the college’s new museum space with a varied collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and printmaking. The exhibition opens with a free public reception Thursday, May 17, from 4-6 p.m.

Howard Fox, curator emeritus of Contemporary Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, juried this year’s show, selecting 68 works from more than 500 submitted pieces.

Though many fine artists live in Santa Barbara, Judy L. Larson, director of the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, says there are few opportunities for them to exhibit art.

“Westmont continues a tradition begun by Tony Askew, John Carlander and James Dow in organizing a juried art exhibition for our local artists that dates back more than 20 years,” Larson says. “Every time we think the idea has run its course we hear loud and clear from local residents how much they anticipate this exhibition each year.”

All works in the exhibition will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the artists and museum. Cash awards, determined by Fox, will be given to the artists at the opening reception.

“This is an important opportunity for artists to show their work in a wonderful contemporary space,” says Chris Rupp, museum collection manager. “It also represents what’s happening in our arts community.”

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please visit www.westmontmuseum.org or contact the museum at (805) 565-6162.