Montgomery Art Association – Exhibition at Strathmore

J. Jordan Bruns – Resident Painter at the Stone Tower at Glen Echo Park and Director of Art Clinic

Judge’s Comments – About the Show

Serving as a juror for an exhibition is one of those roles that manages to be both deeply rewarding and mildly impossible. I tried to count the shows I've been in, curated myself, or juried for an organization such as the incredible Montgomery Art Association, and… well, it’s a lot. I’ve been teaching for 20 years, making representational paintings for 30 years, and creating abstract paintings for 18 years. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some of the DMV area’s best artists through the Art Clinic Online program, now heading into its fourth year, and I’ve exhibited in and toured some of the world’s best work at the Miami art fairs. And yet, even with all this experience, the responsibility of choosing work never becomes routine. It remains exciting, humbling, and just a bit nerve-wracking every single time.

Before anything else, I want to recognize the people who make a show like this not only possible but seamless. Montgomery Art Association is incredibly fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who bring order, clarity, and—most importantly—a sense of community to every exhibition. I also had the pleasure of meeting the amazing curators and gallery managers here at Strathmore. How fortunate to have some of the best in the business caring for your artwork! They are the unsung heroes whose job is to make us artists look even better. Thank you to all the behind-the-scenes organizers and facilitators.

There’s a phrase that hovers around every juried exhibition: “This show reflects the judge’s opinion.” As unglamorous as it sounds, it’s absolutely true. And like many of you, I know firsthand the stomach-dropping feeling when a piece doesn’t get in. But rejection from one exhibition is never the final word on a piece. I tell my students this all the time: work passed over in one show is often celebrated—with prize money—in another. So if your work isn’t on the walls today, please don’t treat this as a verdict. It might simply not have aligned with this particular juror on this particular day.

For those of you selected—congratulations. Your work made me pause, think, smile, laugh in some cases, and most importantly, feel something. I also want to say that I didn’t finalize my placeholders until I saw the exhibit in person. And yes—this makes a huge difference. Sometimes bigger work is better (and this show has some big pieces!). But sometimes the underdog proves victorious. I think there are more than a few underdogs being represented at Strathmore today.

So, without further ado, here are the judging principles that consistently shape my decisions:

First: art must never feel inert—it needs ideas. It doesn’t need to shout, but it should have presence: a pulse, a curiosity, a sense of life that hooks the viewer. Technical mastery alone doesn’t guarantee that. In fact, sometimes too much polish can flatten the spark. I want to see process when possible, even if it’s pencil lines peeking through the paint.

Second: …but craft does matter. Give your ideas a chance to stand tall—a platform of skill and technique so the ideas can be heard. Ideas need the right technical tools. Whether your concept is subtle or ambitious, the materials and techniques should support it.

Third: anything but boring! Art should make someone—anyone—feel something. You didn’t create your work with me in mind, nor should you. The most powerful thing an artist can do is make work that’s honest to their own experience. When art is personal, it has a strange and wonderful way of connecting with someone else—occasionally even the person jurying the show.

I did my best to give every submission the time and attention it deserved. This is a great show, and everyone at MAA should be proud of the artists you stand and work alongside. The quality of the work made the process anything but simple. Montgomery Art Association artists bring tremendous heart, skill, and imagination to what they do, and it was evident in every single submission.

Thank you for trusting me with this role. Exhibitions like this remind me why I continue to step into the juror’s seat, even when I know it will keep me up at night. The creativity and commitment within this community are truly inspiring, and it was an honor to help shape this show.

Best in Show –

Julienne Clevenger — Old Post Office 2

Awards of Excellence - (listed in no particular order)

Teresa Oaxaca — Mantegna Blue

Zeinat Gelli— Forget Me Knott II

Elsie Heyman Klumpner — Now Wagging Not Only

Honorable Mentions - (listed in no particular order)

Robert Cantor — Living Large

Yvonne Levine — Floral Drift

Antonia Tiu — Grandeur Clock Bern Switzerland

Stacy Yochum — The Golfers

Willow Frohardt — Death of Dido