Biennial Award Winners

As part of the Hat Art Club’s Biennial exhibition at the Medicine Hat Esplanade Art Gallery, a jury awarded Hat Art Club members the following awards for their work on the theme of “The New Normal”.

 Allen Jensen Memorial Award

Hope by Dale Beavan

Award Winner: Dale Beaven, Hope

Executed with admirable technical skill, this piece reflects the theme of our current situation in a surprising and thoughtful way. Despair and hope are evenly balanced, with an underpinning of irony. The judges agreed that out of the entire exhibition, this painting best embodies Allen Jensen’s dry sense of humour, irony, and whimsy.

Reluctant Follower by Annette Ten Cate

Runner Up: Annette Ten Cate, Reluctant Follower

The light-spirited humour of this clay sculpture belies its exquisite craft. Carefully balanced with colour, shape, and texture, this piece provides an interesting composition from all angles.

Servus Innovation Award 

The Comforts of Home by Julie Downey-Hoglund

Award Winner: Julie Downey-Hoglund, The Comforts of Home 

This composition balances representation and abstraction with a unique perspective, reminding us how, as makers, we find comfort in the everyday materials of our craft. Especially during periods of isolation, even small items like beads and yarn can become massively important for our emotional and psychological well-being. The judges ultimately chose this piece by an emerging artist instead of a more experienced professional, from a pool of very strong work by new members to the Hat Art Club. 

Turmoil and Growth by Ruth Adams

Runner Up: Ruth Adams, Turmoil and Growth

This very ambitious triptych catches the eye immediately. Layers of meaning are embedded in a rich variety of visual information, ranging from realistic renderings to decorative stencilled patterns and three-dimensional sculptural forms. The complexity of the imagery echoes the chaos of these times, as the central figure engages in different forms of self-care to battle the stress of the pandemic.

Waiting in Line by Theresa Eisenbarth

Runner Up: Theresa Eisenbarth, Waiting in Line

With her signature style of bright layered colour and painterly brush-work, Theresa has captured this moment in time as people line up outside the post-office, masked and socially-distanced. The judges were impressed by the artist’s ability to adapt her work to the theme while maintaining her spirit and artistic sense of self.

Servus Legacy Award 

Ampersand - and on and on by Bev Duke

Award Winner: Bev Duke, Ampersand - and on and on 

The judges selected this piece for its thoughtful balance of craft and content. The relentless concentric circles of “ands” become a metaphor for the numbing effect of the ongoing pandemic, with its seemingly endless complications. At the same time, the exquisite care taken to create this piece reminds us of a meditation, offering a way to continue forward. 

Covid Contemplation by Dawn Knowles

Runner Up: Dawn Knowles, Covid Contemplation 

This little gem of a painting beautifully depicts the sense of surreal isolation experienced during the pandemic.