Alliance for the Arts is seeking artists to present their work at the 30th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit. The exhibition is open to all artists residing in Florida.

Categories for entry are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, water color and mixed media), photography, prints and drawing. An entry consists of 1 to 3 artworks. All entries must be submitted online no later than April 30, 2016 at www.artinlee.org/all-florida. Only original artwork will be accepted.

Accepted entries must be dropped off no later than May 31. The opening reception will be Friday, June 3 from 5 to 7 PM. Messersmith will be on hand to present awards, including $1,000 cash for Best in Show and a $250 gift certificate for 2nd place, and $100 cash, Jurors Choice Award-Artist Membership for 3rd place. The exhibit runs through June 30.

Harrys color portraitThis year’s juror, Harry Messersmith, maintains a full service bronze/glass foundry and sculpture atelier and continues to refine his sculpture he describes as triangulated figures. He gives the following characterization of his artistic vision. “I have been developing a series of triangulated, figurative, architectural works since 1982. My work addresses the evolution of technology and its positive and negative effects upon the human condition. I strive to express, through the human figure, a dynamic balance of tension that exists between science and spiritual enlightenment, a condition for civilization to progress with dignity”.

Messersmith received a grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation to attend a master artist residency with Gio Pomodoro at The Atlantic Center for the Arts in November of 1999. He then traveled to Milan, Italy in June, 2000 to promote “The Bronze Exhibit”, a group exhibition that included three of his figurative bronze sculptures.

Messersmith served as executive director of The Museum of Art- Deland from 1989–1995, and director of The Lighthouse Gallery and School of Art in Tequesta, Florida from 1995–1996. Before becoming director of The Museum of Art-Deland, Messersmith served for three years as an artist-in-education for the Volusia County Public Schools; he has also taught fine art and sculpture at Daytona College, Stetson University, Crealde School of Art, Harris House, Atlantic Center for the Arts, and The University of Central Florida.

Messersmith earned his Master’s degree in fine art and sculpture from the University of Florida under J. G. Naylor in 1983, and his Bachelor of art degree from Stetson University under his father Fred L. Messersmith and Dan Gunderson in 1981.