The Art of the Flower show at the Philadelphia Sketch Club is an annual, open juried competition for 2 or 3 dimensional works of art on the theme of the flower by prominent and emerging regional artists.  This year’s juror, James P. Repenning, chose not only traditional styles of flower painting but also abstractions, photography, prints and even a neon sculpture.  Rik Viola, committee co-chair, pulled together an exceptional show with a new twist on flowers in art with an opening reception that was well attended and exciting.  The awards were kept secret until they were announced at the gala which added an aura of anticipation since even the winners didn’t know until the announcement.  The exhibition runs through March 22nd and will be followed by the annual Small Oil Paintings show.

The winners wall at The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s annual Art of the Flower Show which overlaps the famous Philadelphia Flower Show.  1st Place, Emerging Amarylis, monotype by Rona Richter, 2nd place, Roses with Reflection, pastel by Beverly Jensen, 3rd place, Dried Flowers in a Burl Vase, pastel by Ben Cohen, 4th place, White Iris, photography award by Elizabeth Bard. Honorable mentions went to Tony Anthony, Robert Bohne, Doris Peltzman, Jessie Joern, Gus Sermas and Eve Hoyt.

DoN Brewer‘s inkjet print collage, “Gingko“.

3-Dimension award winner – Luminous Flora – Neon by Eve Hoyt.

Cactus Flower, ink and watercolor, Peter Petragia.

Glories, color pencil & ink, Hal Taylor.

Black Rose, etching, Thelma Grobes.

White Orchid, digital print, Valerie Hutton. 

Artist Gus Victor Sermas with his mixed media drawing, Flower 1, at The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s Art of the Flower show through March 22nd, 2009.