Beth Shadur announced as juror for 39th IL Watercolor Society National Show

Meet the juror and demonstrator for this year’s IWS show

Beth Shadur of Highland Park, Illinois, is the 39th Illinois Watercolor Society National Show juror and demonstrator. The show runs April 28-May 28, 2023, at The Next Picture Show (TNPS) in Dixon, Illinois. Shadur is set to demonstrate her watercolor technique during the show’s opening reception on May 6, 1-4 p.m.

Shadur is an artist who has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, including at the Art Institute of Chicago; the Drawing Center in New York City; the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, NY; the Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown, Ohio; and at the Colorado Springs Art Museum, Colorado Springs, CO.

“Swagger,” Watercolor on Yupo, 18″ x 24″ | Beth Shadur

Beth Shadur biography

Shadur has created over 150 large public murals as public, private and community art projects in both the United States and Great Britain. She was an Artist-in-Education for the Illinois Arts Council in Chicago, IL. She has taught and served as a visiting artist at many colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, MO; and as a visiting artist and scholar at Paradise Valley Community College in Scottsdale, AZ. 

Shadur’s work appears in many publications, books, and catalogs, including Twentieth Century Watercolors, Abbeville Press; The Special Unit, Barlinnie Prison, Its Evolution Through Art, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, Scotland; Community Murals: The People’s Art, Associated University Press, NJ; and Art and Cartography, Art Institute of Chicago.  Her mural work in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, Scotland is included in the archives of the Peoples Palace Museum in Glasgow.  

“Sky Drama,” Watercolor on Yupo, 11″ x 13″ | Beth Shadur

An educator

Shadur has lectured widely on community arts in both the United States and abroad. She has curated numerous national exhibitions, including the ongoing ‘The Poetic Dialogue Project,’ which has traveled throughout the United States. Collaborative Vision: The Poetic Dialogue Project, featuring collaborative works by pairs of poets and artists, was exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center in January-April 2009, and will travel to various university galleries.

In 2006, Shadur presented at the International Conference on Arts in Society in Edinburgh, Scotland, and her Poetic Dialogue Project was published in the International Journal on Arts In Society.  Shadur has been awarded numerous Ragdale Fellowships and is a Thomas Watson Fellow from Brown University; from 2004-6, she served as Executive Director of ARC Gallery, Chicago. She participated in the Cool Globes Public Art Project in Chicago in 2007, and in 2008, was Artist-in-Residence at the Burren College of Art in Ireland through a Governor’s Award for International Arts Exchange from the Illinois Arts Council.

In 2009, she participated in ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI. In 2013, Shadur was a fellow at the Leighton Artist Colony at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Banff, Alberta, Canada. In 2016, she was awarded a residency at the Harfnarborg Art Center in Harfnarjardur, Iceland. She is currently working on her National Park Project, partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, creating works that are traveling throughout the state of Illinois. 

Since 2012, Shadur serves as the Gallery Director at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL. In 2016, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Museum. In 2022, she was appointed to the Board of the National Watercolor Honor Society. Her work is owned in many private and public collections.  

Awards announced for 2023 Phidian Art Show

Awards night canceled due to weather

For three years in a row, the in-person awards presentations had to be canceled. The first two years, it was COVID. This year, Mother Nature decided to send miserable, stormy spring weather.

Never fear. The judging went on anyway. Mary Jo Schuneman, a long-time local art educator, was this year’s judge. Just below is a listing of our award recipients. Congratulations to all of our talented local artists.

People’s Choice

The only award not shown at the time of this writing is the 2023 People’s Choice winner. Visitors are encouraged to visit The Next Picture before April 14 to cast a ballot for their favorite piece. The show remains on the gallery’s walls until April 22. Come in and vote!

UPDATE: People’s Choice is the same as our Best of Show, Matt Jagitsch.


“Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch, best of show for the 2023 Phidian Art Show
Best of Show AND People’s Choice | “Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch

…and the winners are

Myrtle Walgreen Best of Show Award
“Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch

Phidian Past President’s Award
“T. To J.P.” by Kitto

Roger Brown and Iva L. Gamel Memorial Award for Best American Scene
“Let’s Dry the Corn” by Julie Young

Robert Crowson Memorial Award
“Tramp Olay” by Elizabeth Jahn

Lesage Memorial Award for Realistic Style
“White Hollyhocks” by Karen Tucker

Ann Roe Memorial Award for Best Pencil or Pen & Ink
“Scarred Orange and Blue Bottle” by Elizabeth Coss

Jane Marshall Award
“Storyville” by Dan Bowman

Beverly Weber Memorial Award
“Old Truck” by Jerry Scheffler

Roxy Hey Memorial Award for Best Floral
“White Dahlia #2” by Karen Tucker

Ruth Wood Davis Memorial Award Watercolor 
“Yellow Hi-Flyer” by Craig Carpenter

Lucile Warner Award
“Great Uncle Paul” by Jerry Scheffler

Myra Nichols Memorial Award
“Slide” by Elizabeth Jahn

Marie L. Helin Memorial Creativity Award
“Shay’s Cat, Pan” by Amy Bailey

Mary Helen “Mame” Cooper Award
“Two on Two After School at Hefty’s” by Craig Carpenter

The Telegraph Award 
“UNITY Carpeted in Colors of Pink and Gray” by  Shirley Guay

KSB Hospital Award
“Lavender Abstract” by Jayne Rose

Caryl Crawford Fleming Memorial Award for Best Nature Subject
“Whisper” by Dale Tulk

Ronald Reagan Presidential Award for Best Regional Scene
“Iowa Sunset” by Perry Paliga

Mary Ann Ferolo Award
“What a Wonderful World” by Betty Predmore

The Next Picture Show Award
“No Show” by James Hey

HONORABLE MENTIONS

“T. To J.P.” by Kitto

“Our Hero: Uncle Ray” by  A. Elizabeth Anderson-Hall

“Symbolism of Peonies” by Laura Brown

Awards presented for Shades of Gray Exhibition

49 pieces of art entered

THE EXHIBIT RUNS FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 25, 2023
On Friday, Mar. 3, Amy Sikyta, TNPS executive director, presented the awards for this year’s Shades of Gray art exhibition during the artists’ reception. Jeff Paul Thompson, a professional sculptor, served as the guest judge for this exhibition.

The show is sponsored by Hicks Insurance Agency of Dixon, IL.

Shades of Gray award recipients

Best in Show | “Until the Music Stops” and “Mortal Dance” by Jon Wildman | (the body of work was given this award.

Best of Show by Jon Wildman

First Place | “The Lonely One” by Bob Logsdon

1st place by Bob Logsdon

Second Place | “Woven Triangle” by Lisa Gardner-Kinsella

2nd place by Lisa Gardner-Kinsella

Third Place | “When the Time Came” by Letha Catalina

3rd place by Letha Catalina

Honorable Mention| “Herb” by Matt Jagitsch

Honorable Mention by Matt Jagitsch

Honorable Mention| “Draped Figure” by Ryan Jandrey

Honorable Mention by Ryan Jandrey

Opening reception | The Human Form

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

Runs 6-8 p.m. | Awards announced around 7 p.m.
Enjoy a night in downtown Dixon. This evening provides a chance to mingle with the artists, view all the original art, listen to live music and have a beverage or two.

LEARN MORE about this exhibition.

This show’s judge

Debra Cleary is an artist and art educator. She has exhibited her artwork at local galleries and has been a participating artist at fundraisers. She creates abstract paintings that are multilayered, inspired by nature, and incorporate movement, textures, and colors. Debra received her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Northern Illinois University and her Master of Art in Art Education from Eastern Illinois University. She has been an art educator in the Amboy, Illinois, school district for the past 26 years, has taught artists ages five to adult, and has been selected to present workshops for fellow art educators at the state and national levels.

Tonight’s entertainment

Mary Woolf Pearson performs this evening’s live music. She began her love of piano before she could barely reach the keys. Taught by her creative mother from age two, Mary was classically trained and finessed her unique interpretive style from there. Mary upholds her own private instruction studio in Byron, IL, and continues as a church music director, both of which she has done for 20+ years. She earned a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Music, and several complimentary music courses in her repertoire.

Sponsored by…

Axiom Wealth Management of Dixon, IL, sponsors the Human Form Art Exhibition. We are grateful for this sponsorship.

815-285-4924

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

For the Love of Animals | [email protected] exhibition

Thursday, June 8 @ 2:32 pm

Beth Shadur is the IL Watercolor Society Exhibition juror for 2023

April 1-June 30, 2023

It is not new that artists have been inspired by their love for and beauty of animals. Animals drawn on cave walls were among the earliest forms of art. TNPS invites you to express your love of and interpretation of animal-represented art.

This show is open to artists 18 years and older and will feature 2-D art ONLY. Work should be for audiences of al ages.

People’s Choice

Visitors get to vote for the PEOPLES’ CHOICE award at this show. Be sure to cast your vote!

KSB Hospital | Commerce Towers

The art will be displayed on the first floor of KSB Commerce Towers, 215 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 61021.

Artist Deadlines and Application

Entry deadline | Mar. 21, 2023
Deliver artwork to TNPS | by Mar. 28, 2023
Opens to the public | April 1, 2023
Artwork pickup at TNPS | After July 5, 2023

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