About the Confluence of Art Annual
Juried Annual Exhibit Featuring Recent Works from Regional and National Artists
Confluence of Art Annual Exhibition: Homecoming resides in each fall in the James W Hansen Gallery at Pablo Center at the Confluence. Regional and national artists submit their work for review for display in the exhibit with over 50 works crossing different media, techniques, and motifs selected for display in the exhibit each year.
Year after year, the volume and quality of works submitted continue to grow and is a testament that arts scene in the Chippewa Valley and beyond is thriving, alive, and well. We welcome guests and artists alike to participate in the exhibit and share in artistic excellence of our region.
2022 CONFLUENCE OF ART ANNUAL EXHIBIT
SEPTEMBER 9 - NOVEMBER 13, 2022
Exhibit Information
September 9 - November 13, 2022
In-Person in the James W Hansen Gallery & Virtual
Pablo Center Galleries are open two hours before your ticket performance and during normal business hours. You may also view exhibits during the artist reception or anytime through our virtual exhibits.
MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION & AWARD CEREMONY
November 4, 2022 from 5-8 p.m.
Grab a drink at our lobby bar and join us for an evening of artfull conversations. Meet the exhibiting artists, listen to their stories and methods, and ask them questions about their work in an enjoyable evening of free-flowing conversation.
On Display Now
2021 First Place Winner, Of Nests by Jeanne Arenz
Artist Information
Call to Artists
APPLICATIONS DEADLINE IS CLOSED
Confluence of art annual awards
The following awards are selected by the juror:
- Best of Show: $500
- First Place: $250
- Second Place: $150
- Third Place: $100
Meet the Juror - Susanna Gaunt
See Susanna Gaunt's work on her website.
Susanna Gaunt has been an artist for over 30 years, transitioning from strictly photography to installation art in recent years. In addition to a BA degree in Philosophy from Boston College, she received a BFA in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2017. Her degree culminated in Taking Stock, a solo exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth. In the years since, Susanna has had solo shows at Kruk Gallery at UWS in Superior, WI, MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, MN and the Duluth Art Institute. Many of these exhibits were funded in part through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. She has also shown pieces in numerous juried exhibits including Pablo Center’s Confluence of Art in Eau Claire in 2016 and 2021 and the DAI’s 61st and 63rd Biennials. She taught photography for 10 years at Rocky Mountain School of Photography, has given workshops in collage, photography and sculpture at Duluth Art Institute and has been a reviewer for the Minnesota State Arts Board and juror for multiple exhibitions in the region. She lives and works in Duluth, MN.
Artist Statement
"Working with mediums such as drawing, photography, embroidery and collage, I analyze the human condition through a philosophical and scientific lens. Inspired by historic European curiosity cabinets, natural history museums and personal specimen collections, I tangle human anatomy with animal taxonomy, creating works that encourage curiosity and wonder. In recent years, my work has evolved from two-dimensional photographs to mixed-media installations. These are a coherent assembly of repeated forms designed to encourage the viewer to move in for a closer look at the details. In the work, I search for ways to impose unexpected connections between human and animal, blurring the lines between the observer and the observed: The human figure is pinned in a specimen drawer; translucent paper sculptures are reminiscent of both insect chitin and a person’s skin; human and animal details are inventoried on toe tags. The entanglement can disrupt what is known and therefore open a door to reflection."
Integument by Susanna Gaunt
Explore Previous Exhibitions
Each juror, artist, and year brings new experiences and perspectives to the Confluence of Art Annual. Explore our previous exhibits to view the history of the Confluence of Art Annual at the confluence.
2021 Confluence of Art Annual
Originally released: September 2021
"This exhibit ushers in our fourth season in the James W Hanson Gallery at Pablo Center.
Welcome to our annual juried art exhibit Confluence of Art Annual. One of the joys of this annual exhibit is the variety of mediums that are on view. Our patrons are treated to new works from some of the top artists in our region and beyond. Please be sure to read through the artistic statements and biographies of the artists on display, these words will add to the enjoyment and appreciation of the artwork and may give you further reason to purchase a work of art from Pablo Center. Who knows, it may even inspire you to take the next steps in your creative endeavor.
A special thank you goes out to all of the artists who submitted their artwork to our juror. It takes courage to create, to extend yourself out for the world to see. It takes even more courage to offer your work up to the scrutiny of a practiced and professional eye. Our juror, Lois Peterson, had the challenge of sifting through over 177 images to select 52 works of art that create an exhibit. Ms. Peterson spent countless hours perusing images and selecting artwork. We thank Ms. Peterson for her commitment to the arts." - Assistant Director of Artistic Programming Rose Dolan-Neil
VISIT THE FULL EXHIBIT
2020 Confluence of Art Annual
Originally released virtually: September 2020
This exhibit ushered in our third season at Pablo Center at the Confluence. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this exhibit was held in a virtual format. Juror David Brock had the unique challenge of evaluating and selecting these works virtual, evaliuating the works on the narraitve, contemporary nature, and strong visual impact.
To be sure, viewing art in this format has its limitations: there is an appreciation of artwork that can only be gained by seeing it with our own eyes... In this virtual format, the art comes into your home and on the go. We can reach audiences from across the world and also those communities close to home that might not get to come into Pablo Center that often." - Visual & Literary Arts Manager Rose Dolan-Neil
2019 Confluence of Art Annual
Originally on display: September - November 2019
"It was wonderful to get to know Eau Claire’s artistic community, and be engaged with such inspiring and enthusiastic conversations during the reception. Every participating artist’s creative contributions really made the exhibition strong, and I believe Pablo Center at the Confluence provided an impactful platform for artists through this competition.” - 2019 Confluence of Art Annual Juror, Yoonshin Park
Over 75 regional and national artists submitted 203 unique works of art for review by juror, Yooshin Park. Of these 203 pieces, 53 works crossing different media, techniques and motifs were selected for display in the Homecoming exhibit.
