“4th Fridays” Art Event Experience at The Starline Factory | January 27 2017 Event
Grab Your Calendar + Mark Remaining 2017 Dates : Feb 24, Mar 24, Apr 28, May 26, Jun 23, Jul 28, Aug 25 + Grand Finale Oct 27
Welcome to our blog that is finally kicking off in our 7th year of “4th Fridays” at The Starline Factory! [circa 2011]
“4th Fridays” was born in an idea notebook decades ago out of a desire to trail-blaze the traditional art reception blueprint. Our crazy successful art event experience is the manifestation of that notebook, constructed and delivered by a committed team of individuals who believe in connecting artists and community in really big ways. “4th Fridays” delivers a heightened art experience full of the details that keep our art-bar high while consistently delivering a fresh + fun art experience like no other. Attend once… and we know you’ll mark your calendar for all the dates to follow [see above].
Although our event started in April 2011, this is the first month of our blog. The overall + evolving purpose of this blog will be to : [1] Recognize exhibiting artists and musicians from event to event… and [2] Remind everyone to create cool home + work spaces with original artwork purchased from regional artists. It’s fun to collect and way more affordable than you think.
A huge congratulations to our January 27th accepted artists for both the juried art exhibit and the juried photo contest ! All categories of accepted participating artists as well as award winners are listed below with links to artists with websites. Please connect with “4th Fridays” if you have any questions or are interested in learning more : nancy@nancymerkling.com or Nancy at 815.347.8535.
Before we dive into the two main juried exhibits [art – main floor and photo – 2nd floor], let’s recognize the rest of the contributing artists :
Featured Artist Solo Show | Curated | Main Floor – Steve McKenzie
Steve and his family use the money he makes through his artwork to continued travels in helping orphanages in Ethiopia. Steve put a silent auction on his artwork and sold all but one. Way to roll, Steve!
The featured artist solo show is a revered spot during our art event. The only way to land here is through a BEST OF SHOW ribbon in a previous “4th Fridays” at The Starline Factory.
Nancy Merkling’s Studio | The Wall | Invited Artist | 2nd Floor – Travis Patenaude
Travis and his wife have a heart for rescuing Galgos from Spain and being part of their rehab and placement in their forever homes. Travis’ passion for this cause shines brightly through his photojournalism of their experience.
Nancy’s “Wall” is an invited artist area for exhibiting a solo show during a “4th Fridays”.
Vendor Area Exhibitors
Cheryl Voss – Peaces
Gary Liedberg – Barnwood Creations
Musicians & Atrocious Poets
Main Stage – Mac Dralle
2nd Floor Loft – Kayla Seebers
Vendor Area – Something About Tuesday
Main Floor Gallery – Atrocious Poets
Event Night Sales | Exhibits – Art, Photo, Featured Artist, The Wall
Kirsten Barry, “Oak Tree in Winter”; Lisa Davids [2 pieces], “Flow”, “Locked Out”; Julie Latayan, “Garden Girl”; Steve McKenzie [ over 10 pieces including those listed next], “On the Edge”, “Guitar and Boots”, “Hands”, “Ethiopia Tree”, “Birches”, “Opera House”, “Anonymous Gift”; Travis Patenaude, “Galgos Profile”; Sherry Pritz, “Great Sand Dunes Undulating”; Jacque Stukowski, “Out of the Darkness”
Art Exhibit | Juried | Main Floor | 2017 0127
All Exhibiting Artists in Art Exhibit: Dave Alton, Colin Bauman, Lisa Beard, Skip Boyd, Kristin Childs, Lisa Davids, Peggy Gannon, Brendan Gaughan, Jamie Jorndt, Julie Latayan, Pam Magnuson, Melissa Pierson, Sherry Pritz, Elizabeth Schulz, Alan Smith, Paul Turnbaugh and Haley Varys.
Awards in Art Exhibit | 2017 0127:
Art Exhibit – BEST OF SHOW [chosen by guest jurors]
Julie Latayan, Lady in Red
Outside of the honor itself, Julie received a BOS ribbon, $100 in cash and a solo show in the revered spot of Featured Artist during the October 27, 2017 Grand Finale for this year’s “4th Fridays” events.
Congratulations Julie!
Art Exhibit – NANCY MERKLING CHOICE AWARD [chosen by Nancy Merkling]
Skip Boyd, Autumn Dance
Outside of the honor itself, Skip received a NMA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Skip!
Art Exhibit – ‘4TH FRIDAYS’ CORE TEAM CHOICE AWARD [chosen by core team]
Pam Magnuson, Shepherd Girl
Outside of the honor itself, Pam received a 4CTA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Pam!
Art Exhibit – PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD [chosen by people voting on event night]
Peggy Gannon, Upon Arrival
Outside of the honor itself, Peggy received a PCA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Peggy!
Art Exhibit – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Kristin Childs, Beetle
Outside of the honor itself, Kristin received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Kristin!
Art Exhibit – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Paul Turnbaugh, My Emperor and A Crane
Outside of the honor itself, Paul received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Paul!
Art Exhibit – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Haley Varys, Untitled
Outside of the honor itself, Haley received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Haley!
Photo Contest Exhibit | Juried | 2nd Floor | 2017 0127
All Exhibiting Artists in Photo Contest: Kirsten Barry, Lisa Beard, Margie Bjorkman, Gregg Bochat, Val Bouso, Joe Cessaroni, Rick Copper, Lisa Davids, Dawn Dominguez, Devynn Dominguez, Diana Floress, Marlene Frisbie, Mackenzie Garcia, Pam Hockemeyer, Robert Jordan, Susan Jordan, Karen Koe, Pam Magnuson, Sandy Ott, Tracey Paulson, Rob Peterson, Erin Poliakon, Laurin Poliakon, Rachael Proulx, John Rothlisberger, Heather Scott, Sheryl Smith, Jacque Stukowski, Kim Suedbeck, Jill Tabone, Sharmila Taylor, Nick Urbanik, Bonnie Wemken, Tiffany Wilson and Kim Wilson.
Awards in Photo Contest | 2017 0127:
Photo Contest – NANCY MERKLING CHOICE AWARD [chosen by Nancy Merkling]
Joe Cesaroni, Farm House
Outside of the honor itself, Joe received a NMA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary seat in a Simply Learn Photography Workshop.
Congratulations Joe!
Photo Contest – ‘4TH FRIDAYS’ CORE TEAM CHOICE AWARD [chosen by core team]
Kirsten Barry, Oak Tree in Winter
Outside of the honor itself, Kirsten received a 4FCTA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays” at The Starline Factory.
Congratulations Kirsten!
Photo Contest – KIM HOLZ MEMORIAL AWARD [chosen by Nancy Merkling]
Joe Cesaroni, Moonlight
Outside of the honor itself, Joe received a KHA ribbon and a $50 gift certificate to Camera Craft in Rockford.
Congratulations Joe!
Photo Contest – PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD [chosen by people voting on event night]
Jacque Stukowski, Out of the Darkness
Outside of the honor itself, Jacque received a PCA ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Jacque!
Photo Contest – DOWNTOWN PRO PHOTO AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Gregg Bochat, Fountain
Outside of the honor itself, Gregg received a DPPA ribbon and a complimentary framed 16×20 print from Downtown Pro Photo.
Congratulations Gregg!
Photo Contest – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Rick Copper, Exquisite
Outside of the honor itself, Rick received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Rick!
Photo Contest – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Dawn Dominguez, Bath Time
Outside of the honor itself, Dawn received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Dawn!
Photo Contest – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Tracey Paulson, Thinking of You
Outside of the honor itself, Tracey received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Tracey!
Photo Contest – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Jacque Stukowski, Out of the Darkness
Outside of the honor itself, Jacque received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Jacque!
Photo Contest – HONORABLE MENTION AWARD [chosen by guest jurors]
Sharmila Taylor, Tranquility
Outside of the honor itself, Sharmila received an HM ribbon, $50 in cash and a complimentary submission to a future “4th Fridays”.
Congratulations Sharmila!
