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“Meditating on Love” by Onna Jeanna Voellmer

For a painting titled “Meditating on Love,” Artlink Inc. awarded its first-ever Baron Prize of $5,000 to artist Onna Jeanna Voellmer of Tucson at its 18th Annual Juried Exhibition Sept. 15 at the Heard Museum.

The prize, sponsored by residential housing developer Baron Properties, includes the work’s purchase by Baron, and will be installed in a prominent position in the iluminate residential apartment community, located at 290 E. Roosevelt St., in the Roosevelt Row Arts District. This is the largest cash prize ever awarded at an Artlink exhibition.

Nearly 400 attended the exhibition, which featured 50 works by 45 Arizona artists, selected by a jury of local artists and curators from 257 submissions, the most submissions in the competition’s history.

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“Graffiti Horse” by Kathy Taylor

First runner-up and recipient of $2,000 is “Graffiti Horse,” a painting by Kathy Taylor of Phoenix.

Second runner-up and recipient of $750 is “Color Fields #4,” a painting by Gloria Gaddis of Phoenix.

The jury panel featured Nancy Hill, owner of Chartreuse gallery, artist Fred Tieken, and Ann Marshall, Ph.D., the Heard Museum’s director of curation and education.

Six artworks were purchased at the event, totaling over $16,000 in direct purchases from artists. Baron Properties purchased the jury panel’s top selection, and in a surprise announcement acquired three additional works. They will be adding to their permanent collection that will be on display at their properties under development in Roosevelt Row.

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“Color Fields #4” by Gloria Gaddis

“We are extremely pleased with the response to the quality of the exhibition,” said Catrina Kahler, Artlink board president. “The sales punctuated an event that exuded positive energy by and for the arts community, and we are looking forward to further developing the long-standing connection between artists and patrons with future events and initiatives.” For more information about Artlink, visit artlinkphoenix.org.

View photos from the event on Facebook

About Artlink Inc.
Artlink Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to better understand, appreciate and support a thriving arts community in downtown Phoenix. Artlink supports a variety of community-based art events, including complimentary Trolley Tours during the monthly First Friday Art Walk, one of the nation’s largest self-guided art walks; a pop-up gallery program; the Infusion arts initiative; and the annual Juried Exhibition, Art Detour, and Art d’Core Gala.

Artlink is supported by City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Downtown Phoenix Inc., Arizona Commission on the Arts, Phoenix Art Museum, The Arizona Republic, Dunn Transportation, The Torosian Foundation, David Wright House, BJ Communications, Heard Museum, Phoenix Convention Center, Valley Metro, Downtown Voices Coalition, Invexi Web Development, Urban Affair, Roosevelt Row CDC, Warehouse District, and Historic Grand Avenue. Interested arts patrons, volunteers, sponsors and advocates are encouraged to subscribe to the Artlink newsletter to stay up-to-date on artist opportunities, community activities, and more. Visit artlinkphoenix.org or connect socially on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Heard
Since 1929, the Heard Museum, a private non-profit organization, has enchanted visitors from around the world with the art, culture and history of American Indians, with an emphasis on tribes of the Southwest. With more than 40,000 fine artworks and cultural artifacts in its permanent collection, several long-term and changing exhibit galleries, an education center, an award-winning Shop, the Books & More boutique bookstore, Coffee Cantina and Courtyard Café, the Heard Museum is a place of learning, discovery and unforgettable experiences. Visit Heard.org

About Baron Properties
Baron Properties specializes in multifamily housing, with corporate headquarters located in Colorado, and a regional office based in Arizona. Driven by professionalism, extensive property knowledge, and operational expertise, we provide an elevated experience of extraordinary service. Their Phoenix developments, the iluminate and Linear apartment communities, located at 290 and 295 E. Roosevelt St. respectively, will bring 215 new apartment homes to Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row Arts District. The properties are scheduled to open in Fall 2016. Visit baronproperties.com for more information.