Council For The Arts Presents

The 37th Annual Miniatures Show

October 1st to November 6th

103 North Main Street, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Miniature art has a long, rich history which is thought to have begun with the decoration of illuminated manuscripts and illustration of handwritten books, mainly of religious texts, though evidence of miniature portraits have been found and attributed to unknown artists as early as 250AD in Rome.

Over the centuries miniature art evolved from being a form of illustration to becoming a kind of portable imagery, in much the same way that we now use photography. Miniature art is also unique in that it was and is often used on objects, such as the Russian lacquer boxes that are beautiful examples of Russian miniature painting.

A miniaturist's unique skill was their ability to create tiny artworks with an incredibly high level of detail and realism.

The Council’s Miniature Art exhibition has its own rich history. Started in 1984 by gallery owner Becky Dietrich at “A Little Gallery” in Mont Alto Pennsylvania, the annual exhibit was graciously passed onto the Council For The Arts in 1996 when its' popularity caused it to outgrow its original gallery space.

Since that time, the show has grown significantly with the number of artists increasing from 24 to over 100, and the number of works exhibited from 81 in 1996, to 187 in 2019 - chosen from more than 300 entries! Prizes for the best works have been generously donated by Ludwig Jewelers in Chambersburg.

Each year the Miniature Art exhibition consistently attracts a regional audience to the Council, with a highlight being a visit by the chair of the Washington DC international miniature show, which shares many of the same artists with the Council.

Meet this years juror , Linda Ifigenia Gottfried

Linda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from William Paterson University in New Jersey. She pursued a profession in graphic design that ultimately led to a flourishing career in fundraising for several nonprofit organizations in New Jersey and Maryland.

After retiring in 2016, Linda returned to her love of art and began taking ceramics classes at the College of Southern Maryland where she studied under nationally-recognized ceramic artist Lindsay Pichaske.
Linda received several “Best in Show” awards at that time. In addition to student awards, Linda received “Best in Show” at the 2017 Annual Juried Art Show at Matawoman Creek Arts Center in Marbury, MD. Furthermore, she had a very successful one-woman show at the Cox Arts Center in Huntingtown, MD featuring landscape paintings inspired by the beauty of Southern Maryland. The show was entitled, “Clouds Remind Us to Look Up.”

After moving to Pennsylvania, in 2017, Linda initiated and led the “Women’s Creative Corner” at her Yellow Door Studio. The monthly meeting gives local women a creative outlet and a place to share their collective and individual artistic pursuits. In 2019, and again in 2021 Linda’s ceramic work was accepted into the Adams County Arts Council juried show at the Schmucker Art Gallery at Gettysburg College.

Much of Linda’s early work focused on birds and later fantasy birds pushing creative boundaries. She is currently creating totems exploring shape and form and learning to play well with clay. Linda’s work is currently featured at The Foundry in Chambersburg, PA and The Cumberland Shop in Shippensburg, PA.

Linda lives in Fayetteville, PA with her husband Brad Gottfried, noted Civil War historian and author.

26 Sue de Learie Adair Squirrel trans.png — **Best of Show**

Squirrel by Sue de Learie Adair

Best in Show. Squirrel.

Sue de Learie Adair
The 37th Annual Miniatures Art Show at the Council for the Arts features an impressive array of small works. Even though the size of the art is diminutive, the artistry on display is majestic. Each work invites the viewer to connect on an intimate level creating a quiet communication with the artist’s subject.
Although the criterion for judging miniature art shows is much the same as any show, (composition, proportion, color/tonality, and creativity) there are other decisive factors unique to miniature work; paramount being magnification and attention to detail. Does the work hold up under a magnifying glass?
The very nature of a miniature work of art demands closer inspection.
With all this in mind, this year’s “Best in Show” is a remarkable miniature. You might be tempted to discount this tiny work, but take a moment and discover the detail revealed under magnification.
The maximum number of points a work could receive is 30. This work attained a total of 28.2; the most of any work. “The Squirrel” by Sue deLearie Adair exhibits the best of miniature artistry with skillful and subtle attention to detail. You can “feel” the tension of hanging on to the tree branch, the softness of the tail, and the alert eye of this tiny creature. The graphite medium provides the perfect “grayness” for the squirrel’s gray world.
Apples for Sale.

Merit Award.
Elaine Hahn Maa
If there were an option for a second “Best of Show” this stunning portrait of apples would have been the one. Repetition of color, shape and line create a beautiful composition. The work stands up to magnification with exquisite contrast of textures. The roundness apples can be seen peaking through the basket adding additional depth and interest.
Floor Model.

Merit Award.
Emily Sloviko
Composition and color and contrast bring this portrait to life. The subtle difference of texture between the fur of the dog and the fiber of the carpet make this a truly great work of art. The eyes tell a story the viewer can interpret.
Fellini.

Honorable Mention.
V. De Kosinsky
Exquisite use of color. The composition is strong and there is an air of mystery and playfulness in this work.
Bowl of Vegetables

Honorable Mention..
Carol H. Foerster
The repeated roundness of the forms give this work cohesion and rhythm.
Swing King.

Honorable Mention.
Linda Rossin
Color and movement activate this work giving the “Swing King” center stage to a world filled with light and color.
A Vintage Find.

Honorable Mention.
Judith Edginton Bayes
The rust on this beautifully rendered watering can provides the perfect foil for the delicate white flowers surrounding it
Let the Fun Begin!

Honorable Mention
Melinda Fabian
Playful and bold colors provide the viewer with plenty to appreciate and enjoy. The attention to detail must be seen through a magnifying glass to truly appreciate.
Blue Bonnet.

Honorable Mention
Barbara Stanton
The soft lavender background creates the perfect setting for this exquisite portrait. The curve of the bonnet and the softness of the features of the subject pack a powerful punch.
Step Right Up

Honorable Mention
Kathy Pollak
You can almost hear the carnival when viewing this piece. The composition and color reflect the fun experience of the characters depicted.
Watching the Waves

Honorable Mention
Melissa Miller Nece
This work captures the expanse of the ocean through the eyes of one boy. It’s a moment of quiet contemplation we can all relate to.
Shallow Currents

Honorable Mention
Judith Edginton Bayes
Composition and the quiet colors of nature are the hallmark of this work. The contrast of the stoic rocks and rippling water infuse this work with peaceful energy.
Tidepool Teaset

Honorable Mention
Erin Patterson
This beautiful teapot delights the viewer with seaside references to shells and sea creatures. The miniature scale imbues the work with memories of tea parties of younger days combined with sophistication and style.
She Herd

Honorable Mention
Hog Wild

Honorable Mention
Kent Roberts
This furry face frames those fierce eyes in a close-up that dares you to make eye contact.
Not allowed on the Bed

Honorable Mention
Yvette Hill
The weight of the dog on the fluffy covers combined with pleading eyes creates a compelling storytelling composition.
Family Portrait

Honorable Mention
Sue Wall
Repetition of color and line provide the perfect tension between animate and inanimate objects in this portrait. The eyes of the cats dare you to look more closely.
Ardea

Honorable Mention
David Hunter
Graceful lines bring this bird to life creating beautiful negative space filled with light and color.