81st Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition
- Wyatt Lawson
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 5
August 19 – October 31, 2025
Opening Reception on Friday, August 29th 4-8 PM.
The 81 st Annual Wabash Valley Exhibition features works by 71 artists from Indiana,
Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee in painting drawing, sculpture,
photography and new media. The exhibition is currently on view at the Indiana State
University Yang Family Art Gallery, 300 North 7 th Street, on the ISU Campus. The
gallery is open from 11 am-4 pm daily and admission is free. The Swope appreciates
the partnership with ISU in presenting the WVE while the Swope is closed for
renovation.
MEET OUR JUROR
Juror’s Statement
Tony Gant, professor emeritus of Knox College, was the juror. Gant received his MFA
from Yale University, as well as a BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. A recipient of
several Mellon Grants, he has created ephemeral and temporary land art projects in
Spain, Michigan and Illinois.
It is an honor and pleasure to have reviewed so many fabulous submissions for the 81st
Wabash Valley Exhibition. Narrowing down the works of art to be exhibited was an
immensely difficult process. Selections include naturalistic, expressive, and abstract
paintings. I considered landscapes with a limited use of tone, as well as paintings super-
charged with color. I noted a sense of touch and a personal sensibility in the use of
materials and tried to recognize subject matters that emerged through the hand’s
expression. In some cases, the work was gravely serious, and in others it felt like
carefree play. The process of looking, seeing and selecting continued and I began to
see the work through multiple lenses, reflecting the diversity of creative practices within
the Wabash Valley artists’ community. I wanted to organize a show which contained a
cross-section of the diversity of the works submitted: an ‘exhibition celebration’ bringing
together a variety of creative forms and artistic modes of expression. Good luck and
much success with all your creative endeavors. What you do as artists is vitally
important. Please keep making art!
Tony Gant Professor Emeritus of Art at Knox College, Galesburg, IL
WVE AWARDS
GRAND PRIZE AWARDS
Howard E. Wooden, Sr. Memorial Best of Show Grand Prize
Brian Charles Johnson, Scottsburg, IN, Broken Cage
Quinquagenary Grand Prize Award in Painting in Memory of Emily Cox Gedrick
Michael Neary, Terre Haute, IN, Shamus and the Three Chairs
Bill Carls Grand Prize Award
John Benton, Chicago, IL, Whitewater Gourge Park Pullout
Sheron J. Dailey Grand Prize Award in Memory of Shirley Williams Dailey Bennett
Jennifer Sowders, Fostoria, OH, Cuyahoga
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Alliance of the Swope Award of Excellence
Michael Patrick Bailey, Newburgh, IN, Buddy System
Sarah Decker Ning Award of Excellence
Jo Atkinson Belmont, Indianapolis, IN, Shrimp Cocktail Mexican Style
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Alliance of the Swope Award of Distinction
Timothy King, Elgin, IL, Tyler Creek, Wing Park
Anonymous Award of Distinction
Margarita Kulys, St. Joseph, MI, Magic Carpet Ride
Paul & Ann Ryan Award of Distinction in Memory of Sister Rita Ann Roethele, S.P.
Betty Scarpino, Indianapolis, IN, The Shape of Her Song
Brenda Milliren Award of Distinction
Christina Robinson, Evansville, IN, Follow Your Joy: 11
Donna F. & W. Charles Garrison III Fund of the WVCF Award of Distinction
Mark Donham, Brookport, IL, Leap of Faith
Nancy & Fred Nation Award of Distinction
Soulaf Abas, Terre Haute, IN, Jemez Mountains I
AWARDS OF HONOR
Anonymous Award of Honor
Laura O’Donnell, Urbana, IL, Afloat
Sarah Decker Ning Award of Honor
Brendan Kearns, Terre Haute, IN, Flight Among the Masses
Eileen Prose Award of Honor in Memory of Ted Prose
Christopher Dolan, Berwyn, IL, Backyard with Wrapped Trees
Joan & David Zaun Award of Honor
Gregory Steel, Kokomo, IN, Composition 00004
George & Susan Brattain Award of Honor
James Swanson, La Grange Park, IL, The Watch Dog
AWARDS OF RECOGNITION
Anonymous Award of Recognition
Jennifer Sugarman, Carmel, IN, Oceanview
Ellie M. Caldwell, CPA Award of Recognition
Michael Tingley, Terre Haute, IN, Memories Sheltered Us
Laney Meis Award of Recognition
Lily Gregor, South Bend, IN, Out of the Blue
Ellie & Richard Templeton Award of Recognition
Kazhia Kolb, Saint Meinrad, IN, Rooftop Terrace 1
Danette Angermeier Memorial Fund of the WVCF Award of Recognition
Chris Berti, Urbana, IL, Famiglia
Michael D. Buzash Annual Artistic Award of Recognition
Hector Del Campo, Westfield, IN, Cigarros de la Tierra
PURCHASE AWARDS
Ellie M. Caldwell, CPA Purchase Award
Kathy A. Moore, Casstown, OH, Troy Alley
Ellie M. Caldwell, CPA Purchase Award
Corrine McAuley, Bunker Hill, IN, Waterfall
Jacobs/Jones Family Purchase Award
Neil Garrison, Terre Haute, IN, The Pros and Cons of Facial Recognition
Claude Lantier Prix d’achat Purchase Award
Cody Winter, Toledo, OH, View of Amygdalokefalo Bay from Falassama
Pi Kappa Alpha – ISU Purchase Award
Curt Stanfield, Rosedale, IN, Twilight Hues
Pi Kappa Alpha – ISU Purchase Award
Brendan Kearns, Terre Haute, IN, Flight Among the Masses
Paul & Ann Ryan Award of Distinction in Memory of Sister Rita Ann Roethele, S.P.
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