Larson Gallery hosts the 56th Annual Central Washington Artists Exhibition, a juried exhibit of artists residing in Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties. The exhibit opens with a reception on Saturday, October 29, from 3:00 to 5:30 pm in Larson Gallery, 16th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard. Awards ceremony will commence at 3:30pm.

This year 200 works of art from 83 artists were entered, and 41 artists were accepted. Artists in this year’s show represent 14 cities in central Washington. 16 artists reside in Yakima, 6 in Ellensburg, 4 in Richland, 3 in Kennewick, 2 in Thorp, and 1 each in Moxee, Granger, Benton City, Leavenworth, Naches and Wapato. Approximately $4,000 in cash awards, including $750 for Best of Show, has been awarded to the exhibiting artists. Awards will be announced at 3:30 pm during the opening reception. Award and event sponsors include: Leo Adams, Allied Arts Yakima, Argus Insurance Inc, Baha’I Faith of Yakima, Marcia Blevins, Jack & Connie Bloxom, John Gasperetti, Heritage University, Dr. Linda Kaminski, Laurie and Doug Kanyer, Kurt & Melissa Labberton, Julie Gage Larson, Larson Gallery, Peggy Lewis, Memorial Hospital, Jeff Reynolds, Christian & Janet Schlect, Bill Shields, Delma Tayer, Rob & Michelle Wyles, Yakima Society of Artists, and an anonymous donor.

This year’s accepted artists are:
Renee Adams, Beth Atkin, John Barany, Howard and Lorraine Barlow, Deborah B. Call, Sara Cate, Janice Crocker, Judith Dilley, Daniel Donovan, John Fabian, Sally Fitch, W.D.Frank, Judy Frisbie, Ron Gorton, Sara Gettys, Justin Gibbens, Catherine Gorski, , David Hagen, Craig Hotchkiss, Judy Hurcomb, Jerry Johnson, Marcia Keefer, Scott Mayberry, Tom McClelland, Gary Miller, Carolyn Nelson, Jane Orleman, Melissa Osborne, MaryAnne Z. O’Sullivan, Anne Parker, Greg Pierce, Jeffrey Reynolds, Penn O. Shelton, Michele Soderstrom, Tobie Stevens, Delma Tayer, Thelma Triplett, Lucy Ann Valderhaug, Eric & Celia Vogt, Laura Wise & Anything Goes Quilters.

This year’s juror was James Harris, owner of James Harris Gallery in Seattle. James Harris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of California, Berkley. He was born in Seattle and returned to open a gallery after fourteen years working at galleries in San Francisco.

Founded in 1999, the James Harris Gallery focuses on showing contemporary painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video and installation. The gallery prides itself on exhibiting Northwest, national and international artists. By placing work in an international context, the gallery strives to promote its artists beyond the region. The ongoing policy is to develop emerging artists’ careers, showcase mid-career artists, and curate thematic group exhibitions that emphasize an art historical dialogue.
As a result of its mission, James Harris Gallery has been fortunate to place work not only in local institutions but also national ones. It has sold work to the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Seattle Art Museum, Portland Art Museum, The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, and The Tacoma Art Museum. Through hard work, its artists have received solo shows on the museum level and had their work included in a number of group exhibitions. By networking with collectors, dealers and museums, James Harris Gallery hopes to bring attention to the Northwest and in particular, Seattle’s art community.