[Aquanet] AWS strips winner of gold medal

[Jack Russell]

Some of you may recall that last year's winner of the American Watercolor
Society gold medal, Sheryl Luxenburg, had been accused of using photos taken
by others - not her own original work - as the source material for her
winning painting. (There was also a question about her submission being an
electronic image rather than a painting.) It looks like the AWS jury has
passed judgment. Essentially, they've told Luxenburg to give back the medal
and prize money. The quite lengthy release, below, apparently has gone to
AWS members. It was posted today on an online watercolor discussion board.

 

Jack

 

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The American Watercolor Society, Inc., (AWS) releases the following
statement to the AWS membership and the artist community about the
withdrawal of 2008 Gold Medal:

The controversy surrounding the American Watercolor Society's 141st
International Exhibition Gold Medal winner, "Impermanence," by Canadian
artist Sheryl Luxenburg has been the subject of innumerable blogs, websites
and chat rooms worldwide for many months.

We sincerely appreciate all those who contacted the society and respect all
opinions expressed on this issue. This dialogue has contributed to our
understanding of the extent to which the art community has taken an interest
in the outcome of this issue as it affects each artist and the respective
art societies.

The American Watercolor Society has been holding an annual juried exhibition
of watercolors from artists throughout the world for over 140 years. It was
founded to promote watercolor and support painters of the medium. The goal
of the AWS has always been to promote original art and it is against this
backdrop that the controversy first emerged.

The American Watercolor Society, like other watercolor societies, has
developed its eligibility requirements for entry into the exhibition over
the course of many years. Eligibility for entry is as follows. "The Annual
Exhibition is open to all artists working in water media (watercolor,
acrylic, casein, gouache, and egg tempera) on paper. No collage, pastels,
class work, copies, digital images or prints; original work only. Maximum
frame size is 44" in any direction. Image size limit is no smaller than 10"
x 14." All paintings must be sturdily framed and have plastic glazing
(Plexiglas).

The requirements as contained in the prospectus as well as the acceptance
form are quite specific and leave no room for ambiguity. Upon acceptance,
the requirements are further emphasized by a disclaimer signed by the artist
stating that "The accompanying artwork is an original; not a copy or
likeness of another's work, i.e. painting, drawing or photograph."

Our prospectus clearly informs artists of these eligibility requirements
which were designed to maintain high standards and to focus on originality.

By establishing these requirements, the onus rests with the artists to
ensure compliance with the rules set forth. Each artist is therefore free to
accept or decline these conditions.

When it was determined that Ms. Luxenburg's entry violated our eligibility
requirements, the AWS requested that our Gold Medal and prize money be
returned. The Medal and prize money were returned, and Ms. Luxenburg has
been disqualified from entering any future AWS exhibitions.

Watercolors accepted to our annual exhibitions reflect a wide variety of
styles and inventive handling of the medium and attest to the fact that
innovation and exploration are not only encouraged, but welcomed by the AWS.

The AWS will continue to count on the integrity of artists entering our
exhibition, but in fairness to our own members and the art community in
general, we will remain vigilant for any violation of our standards. Any
artist who is determined to violate our entry procedure can expect a fair
evaluation initially, but if found to have done so, can expect a serious and
permanent final resolution.
Statement released February 2009.

 

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