Author Archives: Chemers Gallery

Meet the Artisans of our 5th annual Holiday Artisan Faire!

Watch this space for developing details, new artisans, sneak peeks and artist spotlights!

Meet the 21 talented artisans joining our 2 day Holiday Artisan Faire
Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss our 5th annual event on December 1st and 2nd
It will be here before you know it!

Megan Jones

Sparkle up your hair and your holidays with HAIR TINSEL! Megan and Nancy Jones are joining us all weekend to make your hairdo glitter. Choose from a rainbow of colors to compliment your sparkling personality! Get your sparkle on all weekend long, but if you want to see Megan herself, she’ll be here Saturday, 3-5p and Sunday, 1-4p after her school sports and volunteer duties!

THIS WEEKEND is the big event! Indulge with 21 wonderfully talented artists at our 5th annual Holiday Artisan Faire! The fun starts Saturday, 11a-5p and continues through Sunday, 11a-4p. See you there!

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Luisa Chocolatiere and Elizabeth Nadler

Decadent chocolate makes every occasion filled with richness! Visit Luisa of Luisa Chocolatiere at our faire and stock up on your favorite confections. Truffles, dipped almond, dark, milk, white; sugar-free and kosher too, Christmas & Hanukkah collections are always top of the list for gift giving treats. Luisa has it all. Made from the finest ingredients, Luisa’s chocolate is what sweet dreams are made of. 

Embrace your “boho” side with Betty Nadler! Crystals, leather and gemstones are key ingredients in her imaginative jewelry designs. Pendants, earrings and bracelets make a statement when worn alone or mixed together. Be sure to visit Betty to stock up on all your stocking stuffers! Time after time Betty’s designs are top sellers at our faire, both for their modest pricing & wearability.

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Michelene Berkey and Beth Marx

Sterling silver and gold with a smattering of gemstones make Michelene Berkey’s jewelry a hit in any season! Her nature-inspired designs incorporate motifs of bees, dragonflies, leaves and more. Michelene’s signature “twiggy” style can be found in her collection of earrings, pendants, rings and bangles. Hailing from Colorado, Michelene is joining our Faire for the 5th year in a row! 

Wonderfully soft nuno felted scarves, vests and garments for your delight! Beth Marx is in the house! Her limited collection of convertible, reversible, one-of-a-kind attire is completely art inspired. Beth lets her creativity flow by incorporating eco-dye, sumi ink and shibori techniques in her statement designs that will bring out your wild side!

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Drake Family Farms and Bare Naked Botanicals

Complete your holiday table with artisan farmstead goat cheese! Mike of Drake Family Farms is joining our Faire for the first time with “udderly” delicious chevre and raw goat milk cheese. Choose from flavors like Apricot & Honey or Herbs de Provence for a tasty treat. All cheeses are produced by hand in small batches with the finest goat’s milk from the happiest goats. 

Skincare that is pure yum! Kimberly of Bare Naked Botanicals is back for a second year with her lotions and potions that provide a veritable buffet of goodness for your skin! Creams, cleansers and serums with tempting names like Coconut Cream and Cherry Frangipane Tart provide ultimate moisture and nourishment for your cheeks, elbows, hands etc. Choose faves for yourself and to give away. One for you, one for me!  

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Karen Boelts and Raw Baby

Give the gift of positivity with jewelry from Karen Boelts! Joining us from Colorado for a second time, Karen’s designs are made from sterling silver and colorful gemstones. Many are inscribed with uplifting messages that make your heart soar. Plus, Karen donates a portion of sales to organizations that support equal rights for all. 

Taste the delectable flavors of Raw Baby Desserts! Arlena is joining our Faire for the first time with her mouthwatering vegan raw chocolate. Choose from distinctive flavors like Raspberry Almond and Peanut Butter Crisp. Best of all, every Raw Baby product is dairy, soy and gluten free so you can have all the enjoyment with none of the guilt. Try one or try them all! 

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Monique Selwitz and Tom Borusky

Sterling silver and gemstones mesmerize in Monique Selwitz’s organic, free form jewelry designs. Whether abstracted metal or cast directly from nature, you’ll flip for Monique’s unique aesthetic. Cuff bracelets, pendants, earrings and rings are all bursting with character and charm. 

Enjoy the warm glow of turned wood from Tom Borusky! Beautiful rounded keepsake boxes are made from domestic and exotic hardwoods and are accented with resin, minerals and metal. With turned wood pens, ice cream scoops, corkscrews and more, there’s plenty to choose from to satisfy everyone’s cravings!

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Harris Family Apiaries and Lisa Mertins

Cary of Harris Family Apiaries has been buzzing in a frenzy of production harvesting the best of his beehives to bring you the finest flavors of local honey! Mouthwatering selections from sage blossoms, fruit trees and wildflowers impart their essence for distinctive sweetness in every bite. Buy a jar for your pantry and give a jar to your friends to make the deliciousness last year-long!

With soft glazes and pressed pattern on porcelain, Lisa Mertins’ ceramic cups, birdhouses and sculptures are delightfully charming. Clay pairs with copper wire, twigs, cement and rebar for a quirky yet sophisticated aesthetic. As a woman of many talents, Lisa also turns her capable hands to illustration and fine art. Discover her all new and wonderfully captivating watercolor illustrations at our December show! 

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Joanna Craft and Bill Bahret

Meet Joanna Craft and her entrancing mixed metal and enamel jewelry! Raw gemstones are sprinkled like stardust among her creations of silver, copper and brass. Joanna’s contemporary aesthetic combines with a slight Asian flair to ensure her designs are as unique and stylish as everyone on your list! 

Bill Bahret’s wooden bowls are elegantly artistic at every turn. With a touch of Bill’s lathe…maple burl, olive, myrtle and walnut become sleek and smooth vessels that are full of character. Deck your halls with his uniquely tactile vessels – you may even catch a glimmer of copper inlay here and there! Need a last minute gift? Don’t miss his range of turned wood pens! 

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Mary Hammond and Janet Seward

Put some oomph in your ensembles with Mary Hammond‘s colorful and versatile fiber scarves and shawls! Fanciful florals, geometric garlands and fun surprises abound in her amazing creations. With fabric, yarn, ribbon and thread, Mary’s got all the trimmings to complete any outfit. A hint from our elves… use Mary’s fiber as a way to dress up your tables! 

Journey to distant lands with Janet Seward’s diverse jewelry! This intrepid world traveler collects trade beads, medallions, amulets, ancient coins and charms on her exotic forays and crafts stunning, one-of-a-kind creations fit for all the globetrotters on your list. 

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Spice Merchants and Merry Wennerberg

Spice up your festivities with Spice Merchants! Paul is back with his mouthwatering array of gourmet salts, exotic spices, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and tea blends to turn your holiday into holi-YAY! Pep up your plates or give as hostess gifts.

Vintage buttons, buckles, Bakelite and resin combine in Merry Wennerberg’s creative hands to form marvelous masterpieces! Earrings, brooches and necklaces dazzle with the splendor of yesteryear. Complete your holiday look with Merry’s one-of-a-kind winsome baubles. Can’t choose just one? The more the “merrier!” 

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Suzanne Currie and Deanna Deeds

Bright color meets high gloss shine in Suzanne Currie’s playful jewelry, keychains and home goods! You’ll adore her hip collection of lightweight earrings and pendants that take inspiration from her oh-so-contemporary mixed media wall art. Perfect for gift-giving, Suzanne will be bringing a “sleigh-full” of goodies to put a twinkle in your eye. 

“Fa-la-la-la-la” in love with the talent of Deanna Deeds! Her intricately woven scarves, shawls, table runners and coasters are made from cotton, wool, linen, silk and more. Ancient techniques of hand-manipulation and complex loom-controlled structure showcase Deanna’s keen eye for color and deft skills to ensure unique designs at every turn.

Click HERE to let us know you’re joining us December 1st and 2nd!

Save the dates for our 5th Annual Holiday Artisan Faire!

Mark your calendars and set your reminders for the first weekend in December.

Have yourself a merry ol’ time and shop ’til you drop! Discover artfully spectacular gifts for everyone on your list.
(Don’t forget yourself, too!)

Indulge with Chemers Gallery and 21 artists, artisans and epicureans for our 5th Annual Holiday Artisan Faire! Keep your eyes peeled…we’ll soon be featuring artist spotlights, sneaky peekys and more as we prepare for the big weekend.

Click on each artisan’s name below, to see examples of their work… but remember, they’ll each be bringing fresh new designs and exquisite new looks just for you and our Faire!

Handcrafted Jewelry
Michelene Berkey gold, sterling & gemstone beauties inspired by nature
Karen Boelts (Little Bridget Jewelry) instilling positive messages with delicate charms & colorful stones
Joanna Craft mixed metals touched with enamel & raw gemstones
Suzanne Currie colorful & zippy mixed media jewelry & more
Elizabeth Nadler (Spirited Muse) romantic boho chic crystals, beads & semi precious stones
Monique Selwitz organic forms twist & turn in silver, gold & gemstones
Janet Seward become a world-class traveler with medallions, beads, amulets & more

Merry Wennerberg imaginative vintage buttons, buckles & beads of Bakelite & resin form fashionable statements

Wearable Fiber
Deanna Deeds beautiful, intricate handwoven scarves & home accessories
Mary Hammond alluring scarves and table runners made from fabric & ribbon

Beth Marx limited collection -colorful, creative & versatile nuno felted wearables

Ceramics & Wood
Lisa Mertins inventive designs & exquisite soft colors in porcelain
Bill Bahret unconventional & unique turned wood bowls & pens

Tom Borusky lustrous turned wood keepsake boxes & home items

Luscious Lotions
Bare Naked Botanicals small batch vegan lotions and serums – food for the skin!

Epicurean Treats
Drake Family Farms artisan farmstead goat cheese
Harris Family Apiaries
 local honey of the season
Luisa Chocolatiere fine handcrafted chocolates to delight
Raw Baby Chocolate organic, vegan dark chocolate
Spice Merchants spice blends, gourmet salt, olive oil & balsamic vinegars
 

Just your luck, Megan Jones will be joining us with her festive hair tinsel to help you get into the holiday spirit!

But wait, there’s more…

Celebrate the start of Hanukkah with us as you spin the dreidel throughout the 2 days for your chance to win prizes donated by our talented artists and artisans!

Coming up next month…Meet the Artists!
Artist spotlights to introduce you to or reacquaint you with our talented artists and artisans joining us December 1st & 2nd.
Look for frequent updates on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. Follow our continuing blog with “what’s new” starting in November.

Click HERE to RSVP for Saturday, December 1st, 11a – 5p and Sunday, December 2nd, 11a – 4p

Note: Links are in GREEN

 

 

Hey hey hey! It’s summertime at Chemers Gallery!

Summer is in full swing at Chemers Gallery! While the sun’s been hotting up, we’ve been ramping up the talent joining us for not just one but TWO artful weekend events. Don’t forget to splash these seasonal happenings onto your social calendar…

Mini Artisan Trunk Show – 2 Days!
Friday    August 17th    4-8p
Saturday    August 18th    11a-3p
with Friday night music 5-8p
Blues by Hound Dog Dave & the MelTones

For a sweet taste of the good things to come in December, don’t miss our mini artisan trunk show! It’s hard to resist the temptation of jewelry, fiber, ceramics, leather and chocolate, so go ahead and indulge – we won’t tell! Enjoy Friday night Blues beats with Hound Dog Dave & the MelTones as you ooh and ahh to your heart’s content over all the deliciously creative goodies from our skilled craftswomen and men. If you don’t get your fill on Friday, we’re doing it all again on Saturday – minus the band!

Joanna Craft mixed metal mania    Deanna Deeds masterfully woven fiber
Luisa Chocolatiere delectably decadent chocolate treats    Elizabeth Nadler boho & crystal creations
Janet Seward treasures from the global traveler
Lilia Venier witty ceramics (Friday only)    Winter Wolf Leather tailored leather wallerts, toes & more

Have you seen Karen and Jennifer sporting their sparkly tinsel hair strands?
Our friend Megan will be here to fancify your ‘do, too!

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Artist Demonstrations
Friday    July 13th    5-8p
with Oldies music by Then Again Band

15, count ’em, 15 local artists confirmed to date! Join your favorite talents and watch their creative process at work as you move and groove to the Oldies tunes of Then Again Band. Oil, papercut, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, ceramic, weaving and jewelry making – observe and engage with our super-friendly, multi-talented artists!

Lorraine Bubar papercut    Steve Bjorkman watercolor    Deanna Deeds weaving
Dori Dewberry pastel    Amanda Fish oil    Deborah Harold oil    Steve Kell oil
Greg LaRock oil    Larissa Marantz acrylic    Lisa Mertins ceramic
Ian Montelongo acrylic    Janine Salzman oil
Janet Seward jewelry    Gerald Schwartz oil    Jaime Weber ceramic

 

 

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It’s a summer of style and artistry at Chemers Gallery! 

Meet the Award-Winning Art at Chemers Gallery

What an extraordinary opening reception for The heART of Orange County All Media 2018 juried exhibition! Several hundred guests packed the house – we were absolutely astounded!

With 67 participating artists and nearly 100 accepted pieces of artwork, our jurors, Jonathan Burke (President of LCAD) and Hope Railey (Chair of Fine Art at LCAD) had their work cut out for them. After much considered discussion and thought, Jonathan and Hope selected their prize-winners in three different categories: Contemporary Craft, Contemporary and Traditional. Rounding out the mix was Sharyn Cable of Enderle Center, one of our generous sponsors, with her award choices. Congratulations to all!

If you couldn’t join us on Saturday (or couldn’t hear due to the crowd) here they are, the prize-winning artworks from The heART of Orange County All Media 2018. Or, if you’d like to experience the awards ceremony, click through to our Facebook page to watch our Facebook LIVE video of Saturday’s event!

Don’t forget about our heARTful Saturday happenings during our show:

Saturday, April 28  10am – 5pm
1st Place Winners of TACFA’s annual Student Art Invitational
and join us for the Enderle Center’s Spring Flight 4pm – 7pm

Saturday, May 5    1pm – 5pm
Artist Demonstrations with featured heARTful artists confirmed to date…
Echo Baker  .  Irina Charny  .  Amanda Fish
Terry Houseworth  .  Elaine Hughes  .  Steve Kell  .  Karen Mohr
Erich Neubert  .  Marilee Neilsen  .  Pete Roberts  .  Teresa Shippy
Kathleen Strukoff  .  Kim VanDerHoek  .  Wendy Wirth  .  Jim Wodark
More TBA!

Enderle Center Awards

Honorable Mention:

“Sierra Grandeur”    Jim Wodark, oil on board

Honorable Mention:

“Serenity”    Christine Bolger, glass

Enderle Center Choice Award:

“Almost a Geisha”    Marie Tippets, soft pastel

Contemporary Craft

Honorable Mention:

“Embracing the Snail”    Sabrina Weld, clay sculpture

Honorable Mention:

“Silver Botanical Pendant”    Terri Gallo, silver and amethyst

Honorable Mention:

“Maple Keepsake Box and Lid”    Tom Borusky, maple, olive, resin

Third Place:

“1967 VW Bus Front”    Teresa Shippy, textile

Second Place:

“Moroccan Glory”    Janet Seward, mixed elements

First Place:

“Segmented Wood Bowl”    Michael Evans, maple, purple heart, walnut, cherry

Contemporary

Honorable Mention:

“Tropical Breezes”    Sharyn Sakimoto, hand-painted black & white photograph

Honorable Mention:

“Through the Looking Glass”    Colleen Premer, monotype

Honorable Mention:

“Blustery”    Larissa Marantz, acrylic on canvas

Honorable Mention:

“Upon Us All a Little Rain Must Fall”    Irina Charny, glass mosaic

Third Place:

“Silent Breath of Winter”    Lynn Welker, acrylic collage

Second Place:

“Who Said It’s Easy”    Ian Montelongo, acrylic on board

First Place:

“4th Street Span”    Kim VanDerHoek, oil on board

Traditional

Honorable Mention:

“Almost a Geisha”    Marie Tippets, soft pastel

Honorable Mention:

“Nature’s Harmony”    Paige Oden, mixed media

Honorable Mention:

“Castel and Ponte Sant’Angelo, Rome”    Brad Neal, mixed media

Honorable Mention:

“Morning at the Pond”    Geri Medway, watercolor

Honorable Mention:

“Mama Africa”    Toni Danchik, oil on canvas

Honorable Mention:

“Orangethorpe Ave.”    William Crawley, soft pastel

Third Place:

“Calm Night Shore”    Patricia Prescott Sueme, soft pastel & ink

Second Place:

“Valley Spring”    Dave Chapple, oil on board

First Place:

“Solitude”    Greg LaRock, oil on board

Best of Show:

“Closure”    Wendy Wirth, acrylic on board

We’re already thinking about next year’s juried exhibition and we can’t wait to see what gets your creative juices flowing!

Thank you for allowing us to be “Part of Your World!”

 

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us Saturday night for the opening reception of The heART of Orange County All Media juried exhibition! Thank you to Enderle Center and TACFA for generously sponsoring this yearly exhibition. Talented artists and performers, experienced jurors, valued friends, and wonderful volunteers from Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) made this event especially heARTful! Thank you for sharing in our 11th annual juried community exhibition and the start of our 40th anniversary celebrations! It’s because of YOU that our arts community is so vibrant!

In case you were one of the “Poor Unfortunate Souls” who missed TACFA’s big Broadway in the Park REVEAL, we can now share that this summer’s production will be The Little Mermaid!! With stellar performances by the professionals from Chance Theater, you’re sure to believe that you’re “Under the Sea” dreaming about “The World Above.” Keep your eyes peeled on TACFA’s website for ticket information and sales.

If you weren’t able to attend our VERY crowded reception or want to re-visit your favorites, The heART of Orange County will be on display through Saturday, May 5th. And, don’t forget about our heARTful Saturday happenings during the show…

Saturday, April 28    10am – 5pm
1st Place Winners of TACFA’s annual Student Art Invitational
and join us for the Enderle Center’s Spring Flight 4pm – 7pm

Saturday, May 5    1pm – 5pm
Artist Demonstrations with featured heARTful artists, including…

Echo Baker  .  Irina Charny  .  Amanda Fish
Terry Houseworth  .  Elaine Hughes  .  Steve Kell  .  Karen Mohr
Erich Neubert  .  Marilee Neilsen  .  Pete Roberts  .  Teresa Shippy
Kathleen Strukoff  .  Kim VanDerHoek  .  Wendy Wirth  .  Jim Wodark
More TBA!

In the meantime, enjoy these pictures from Saturday’s big party, many of them kindly provided by Guillermo LeFranc…

For more event photographs be sure to visit our Facebook album (coming soon)!

The heART of Orange County beats at Chemers Gallery!

The heART of Orange County All Media 2018
Juried Art Exhibition
Artist reception April 21, 2018    5:30 – 8:00pm
show continues through May 5

It’s our most eclectic community exhibition yet! Together with Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA), we welcome over 60 local artists to our annual juried exhibition. Our 11th yearly collaboration brings a new focus to the mix – the best artwork from Orange County artists in all styles, all subjects and all media will be represented and available for purchase. Help our arts community thrive!

Our 2018 jurors are Jonathan Burke, President of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) and Hope Railey, LCAD’s Fine Arts Chair. Together, they have selected the cream of the crop, from oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel to ceramic, wood, glass and silver and more.

Join us April 21st, 5:30 – 8:00pm for the artist reception, awards ceremony and
TACFA’s Broadway in the Park REVEAL!
This event kick starts our 40th year in business!

Be among the first to know which fun-filled, fanciful Broadway production will be performed this summer in Tustin’s own Peppertree Park. Past productions include Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast and Annie. Now in its 18th year, TACFA’s annual Broadway in the Park event brings together community and professional performers from Chance Theater to enjoy an evening of visual magic under the stars.

Congratulations to the participating artists:

Kirsten Anderson  .  Gary Armstrong  .  Mary Aslin  .  Echo Baker
Steve Bjorkman  .  Gary Blackwell  .  Christine Bolger  .  Tom Borusky
Stan Bowen  .  Patt Buchanan  .  Kare Bullock  .  Dorothy Cavanagh
Dave Chapple  .  Irina Charny  .  Dana Cooper  .  William Crawley
Toni Danchik  .  Dori Dewberry  .  Bryce Elischer  .  Michael Evans
Amanda Fish  .  Terri Gallo  .  Nancy Goldman  .  Lore Hold  .  Christine Hooker
Debbie Horton  .  April Hoskins  .  Terry Houseworth  .  Elaine Hughes
Steve Kell  .  Linda Keyes  .  Prerana Kulkarni  .  Greg LaRock
Sherry Lohman  .  Larissa Marantz  .  Geri Medway  .  Karen Mohr
Ian Montelongo  .  Brad Neal  .  Erich Neubert  .  Marilee Nielsen
Paige Oden  .  Pamela Panattoni  .  Colleen Premer  .  Patricia Prescott Sueme
Robin Reichelt  .  Pete Roberts  .  Kathleen Robinson  .  Linda Rogers  .  Sharyn Sakimoto
Janine Salzman  .  John Sawyer  .  Janet Seward  .  Teresa Shippy
Kathleen Strukoff  .  Karl Tani   .  Marie Tippets  .  Kim VanDerHoek  .  Jaime Weber
Susan Weinstein  .  Sabrina Weld  .  Lynn Welker  .  Wendy Wirth  .  Jim Wodark

Honorary Exhibitors:
Ned Schultz  .  Mary Zarbano

But wait, there’s more!!
Save these dates for more heARTful happenings at Chemers Gallery:

Saturday, April 28    10am – 5pm
Winners of TACFA’s Student Art Invitational

Saturday, May 5    1pm – 5pm
Artist Demonstrations with featured artists from The heART of Orange County

Call to Artists for The heART of Orange County All Media – DEADLINE MARCH 4TH!!

Hear-ye, hear-ye, all you Orange County creatives! It’s time to submit your masterpieces to our upcoming juried exhibition, The heART of Orange County All Media, presented collaboratively with Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA). Your deadline is MARCH 4TH and that will be here before you know it! Click here to enter!

You know us, we like to mix it up! The twist on the show this year is that the subject matter is up to you! Our only requirement is that you are an Orange County artist. That means you can submit artwork in any STYLE, any SUBJECT and any MEDIUM to showcase the best of what our wonderful county has to offer!

The arts run deep in southern California, and we’ll be featuring the cream of the crop. Submit your best work – almost anything goes: abstract, acrylic, botanical, ceramic, contemporary craft, drawing, fiber/textile, figurative, floral, glass, jewelry, landscape, mixed media, metal, oil, pastel, photography, printmaking, still life, watercolor, wood and more.

We’re pleased to announce that our jurors extraordinaire will be Jonathan Burke, President of Laguna College of Art and Design, and Hope Railey, Chair of Fine Arts at Laguna College of Art and Design. We can’t wait to see what this dynamic duo will select for inclusion in the exhibition.

So… you know that the focus of the annual exhibition has changed. You know who our amazing jurors will be. You know when the submission deadline is. (Psst… it’s MARCH 4th!) But, did you also know that there will be CASH AWARDS announced at the opening reception on April 21st? It’s true! At least $1,800 will be awarded – could yours be one of the names announced?

We need YOUR help in spreading the word. Click this link to OnlineJuriedShows.com for full show details and to submit your work. Be sure to share the call to artists with all your artistic friends and any arts organizations you belong to. And lastly, HAVE FUN! The more creative you are, the better your chances are of being selected for exhibiting and for winning one of those cash awards.