Over one hundred and thirty artworks by artists from across the state of Washington will be on view at the Collective Visions Gallery in the CVG Show, which opens Jan. 28. Competition to get in the show was tough. The exhibition juror, Kathleen Moles, Curator of Exhibitions at the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner selected the show from over 800 pieces in all art media that were entered by over 265 artists into the competition. Any one piece of art submitted had only a one in six chance of being included. Kathleen will choose the recipients of over $6,000 in prize money that will go to the winners of prizes that will be awarded in each of three categories from the actual artwork once the exhibition has been installed. The top prize will be the $1500 “Mayor’s Award” for best of show. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on the evening of Jan. 28. Due to space limitations, this ceremony is by invitation only. Award winners will be posted when the show opens at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.

The gallery will host a series of gallery talks and events designed to enhance the public’s appreciation and understanding of the broad array of art and ideas that is represented in this exhibition. A public reception for the show will be held during the traditional “First Friday Art Walk” from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 3. In a departure from prior years the viewing public is invited to cast votes for the $300 “People’s Choice Award” for the duration of the show. A special ceremony to present the People’s Choice Award will be held at 7 p.m., on Feb. 24 and will feature a gallery talk by Tom Jay, a nationally known sculptor and owner of The Lateral Line Bronze Casting Studio.

The following is a schedule of events. All of events, except the concert, are free to the public:

• Exhibition Gallery Hours - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
• Exhibition open - 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28
• People’s Choice voting — Jan. 28 to Feb. 24
• Awards posted - 1 p.m. Sunday Jan.29
• Gallery Walk and Public Reception - 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3
• Guest Artist Panel Discussion - 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9
• Greg Robinson, executive director of the Bainbridge Island Art Museum
• Alan Newberg, artist and founding member of CVG
• Maria Weichman, professor of Art, Olympic College
• Amy Burnett, artist and owner, Amy Burnett Gallery
• Moderator: Karsten Boysen, sculptor
• Gallery Concert - 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 featuring the Karin Kajita Jazz Quintet
• Guest Lecture and People’s Choice award ceremony - 7 p.m. Feb. 24, featuring Tom Jay, a nationally known sculptor and owner of The Lateral Line Bronze Casting Studio.
• Exhibition closes - 5 p.m. Saturday Feb. 25

Collective Visions Gallery wishes to thank the generous support of its sponsors: Kitsap Credit Union, Wet Apple Media, Kitsap County Arts Board, The Doctors Clinic, The City of Bremerton, KPS Health Plans, Artists Edge Art Stores, Kitsap Eye Physicians, Hudddleston McKenzie & Associates, Soriano Brothers Investment Co., Printing Services Co. and West Sound Arts Council.

The Collective Visions Gallery will be closed to the public from Jan. 15 - 27 to facilitate preparations for this exhibit. For details contact the gallery at (360) 377-8327.

Collective Visions Gallery is located at 331 Pacific Avenue in downtown Bremerton.