The Ford Family Foundation today named its 2011 Hallie Ford Fellows in the Visual Arts. Fellows selected were Sang-Ah Choi (seen at Chambers and the Art Gym recently), Bruce Conkle (very happy about this one because I reminded him to apply) and Stephen Hayes (a longtime painter who recently and rightly made a high profile fuss about not getting any funding locally). The purpose of the award is to recognize mid-career Oregon visual artists who have demonstrated excellence in their work, significant potential for future accomplishments, and for whom an award now would help them take their work to an entirely new level. Both Conkle and Hayes teach and this year the award has a very northwest feel, with Conkle's eco-conceptual focus and the more traditional craft angle of the other two.

From their press release: "The purpose of the award is to recognize mid-career Oregon visual artists who have demonstrated excellence in their work, significant potential for future accomplishments, and for whom an award now would help them take their work to an entirely new level."

"As with last year's inaugural Fellows, these $25,000 unrestricted fellowships are meant to give this year's recipients additional resources, and most importantly the time to explore, create or complete new work," stated Norm Smith, President of the Foundation. "We are delighted with the diversity of work this group of Fellows produces and how their work and focus complements that of the first three Fellows."

Panelists included: Terri Hopkins, Director and Curator of The Art Gym, Marylhurst University; Rock Hushka, Director of Curatorial Administration and Curator of Contemporary and Northwest Art at Tacoma Art Museum and an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington; Suzanne Ramljak, editor of Metalsmith magazine, art historian, writer, curator, and critic specializing in contemporary art and functional objects; Tad Savinar, noted Oregon visual artist, writer and urban space planner; and Stephanie Smith, Deputy Director and Curator of Contemporary Art at the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, University of Illinois. Ms. Choi is a full time professional artist. Mr. Conkle, in addition to his practice of art, also teaches at the University of Portland and Portland Community College. Mr. Hayes divides his teaching time between the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) and Oregon State University. Both gentlemen dedicate significant time to exploring and creating art in addition to their teaching roles and mentoring of students.