Juried by Roberto Benavidez 

 Exhibition On View: October 6–27, 2023

 Bear Gallery, Pioneer Park, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK

This year’s 37th Annual 64th Parallel Juried Exhibition submission process was an absolute success, with an array of applicants totaling 210 pieces submitted!  The juror, Roberto Benavidez, chose 64 final pieces for the exhibition. We had the highest submissions for this 64th Parallel show since Covid! There are many first-time applicants this year as well.

About the Juror:

Roberto Benavidez (b. 1973, Beeville, TX) is a sculptor specializing in the piñata form. Prior to the piñata form, he worked in metal-casting in an abstract figurative style. Benavidez exhibited his bronze works in group shows and received two merit-based art scholarships from Pasadena City College. Longing for more accessible materials, Benavidez switched to paper and focused on the piñata technique. Benavidez plays with the underlying themes of race and sin innate in the piñata, layered with his identity as a mixed-race queer artist, with a focus on impeccable craftsmanship.

“It was such a pleasure to be the juror for the 37th Annual 64th Parallel Exhibition. The array of work being produced in your community is truly breathtaking. As an artist, I was both inspired and moved by the quality of work submitted. 

With over 200 submissions, choosing 64 works was a difficult task. With only the work, title, and materials before me, I put a large focus of my attention on mastery of technique, presentation, and experimentation. After many rounds, I found I had selected many more than 64 works to be included in the exhibition, and it was a painful process deciding which works of those selected should be cut. There were definitely works that I liked that I was not able to include. It’s not easy putting your work out for judgment, so I want to congratulate everyone for doing so and encourage those who were not selected to continue submitting. Your day will come. 

With such a diversity of techniques, artistic voices, and visions, this is going to make for a very special exhibition, and I am still reeling that I was able to be a part of it. A big thank you to the Fairbanks Arts Association for inviting me to jury and for your warm welcome and hospitality. It was a special experience that I will always carry with me.”

Roberto Benavidez

64th Parallel Juror

Congratulations to the Awardees for our Parallel 64th Juried Exhibition!

AWARDEES INCLUDE: 

JUROR’S CHOICE: Paul Stark, Topors End 

2ND PLACE: Christopher M. Ehlers, Harvest God

3RD PLACE, Jared Baker Gutsy Art Award: Sarah Dexter, Aurora Belle Sleeve Dress

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Gail Davidson, Tanana Braids

Nicole Allard, Spruce Witch Sweater

Scott Hansen, Mom’s Ghia

Scott Hansen, Neighborhood Sky (March Evening)

Tamara Wilson, Jac

Jasmine John-Kennedy, Birth Stories #007

Meghan Olson, In the End it Always Does

Ree Nancarrow, One Spruce

Bonni Brooks, Rift

Collins Bonds, Hadweenzic

Jesse Hedden, Still Life with Green Drape

Fairbanks Arts would like to extend special gratitude to 64th Parallel sponsor Sophie Station Suites for making this exhibition and juried show a possibility and success.

Featured Image: Oyster or Snail by Roberto Benavidez