The Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, Pa., announced the opening of its latest exhibit, Imprint 2019, the Museum’s 10th annual high school print competition, which includes works from four Abington Senior HIgh School art students. For Wharton Esherick, woodcut printmaking, which involves carving into a wood block to create an image, was a critical artistic medium. Through printmaking, Esherick transitioned from a young painter to an internationally recognized artist and furniture designer. Recognizing the important role printmaking played in his development as an artist, this annual competition encourages new generations of young artists in the powerful medium of relief printmaking.
High school art students from the five-county Greater Philadelphia area submitted 120 pieces this year, from which a jury of Museum staff and professional artists selected 18 finalists and prize winners for the exhibition. Third place was awarded to “Humbled Perspective” by Abington Senior High School’s Jeehae G. Young. Monetary prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place winners and their corresponding art departments.
All entries are displayed online on the Wharton Esherick Museum’s Facebook page, where the Museum’s Facebook fans select one last award, Viewer’s Choice. This year’s crowd favorite, “Looking Glass” by Fernanda Arcos-Villareal of Abington Senior High, was also selected by the judges as a finalist. In addition, students Olivia Schrecengost and Amber Gibson were selected as finalists in the competition for their works, “Buildup” and “En la calle de Ponce”, respectively.
Awards will be given at the opening reception on Sunday, March 10, celebrating the achievements of all these young and talented artists. The opening on March 10 coincides with the Museum’s Second Sunday event, which offers guests an ‘open house’ tour of the Museum for $12 admission, and does not require the usual advance reservations. Imprint 2019 is on display in the Visitor Center March 2 – May 26 and is free to the public. This does not include admission into the Museum for which advance reservations are required.
The Wharton Esherick Museum, located just outside of Valley Forge Park is the handcrafted home and studio of Wharton Esherick (1887-1970), an internationally significant artist and leader of the Studio Furniture Movement. Esherick worked primarily in wood and extended his unique forms to furniture, furnishings, interiors, buildings, and more. His motto, “If it isn’t fun, it isn’t worth doing,” is evident in the joyful expression of his work. A National Historic Landmark for Architecture, his hilltop studio/residence, with more than 300 of his works on exhibition, has been preserved much as it was when the artist lived and worked there. For more information, visit www.whartonesherickmuseum.org.
