2026 ACWL-Nuveen Juried Exhibition Recap

On Saturday, March 14 we had a great turnout for our 2026 Juried Exhibition reception. We were fortunate that many of the artists who have pieces in the show came with their friends and family and mixed and mingled with other community members. This year's exhibit attracted entries from 96 artists across Michigan and even Pennsylvania. Juror Amelia Anderson, currently serving as the inaugural Director of the Bennett Prize & Curator of Women's Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art, had the difficult task of culling down the 173 artworks to 33. She selected 25 artists telling unique and impactful visual stories using a wide range of mediums including sculpture, fiber arts, ceramics, painting and mixed media. Once the artwork was selected and the show was installed, Ms. Anderson visited the ACWL-Nuveen galleries to see the work in person and determine who would receive the awards.

The following is a list of the 2026 Juried Exhibition award winners:

First Place – Vicki Thompson, Muskegon – Moon Rising Over the Treeline, oil on canvas

Second Place – Jessica Bednarick, Yardley, Pennsylvania – Flipped, oil on canvas

Third Place – Katherine Montefusco, Livonia – James Scott Memorial Fountain, acrylic

Honorable Mention – Patrica Opel, Muskegon – Iphigenia the Strongborn, painted assemblage

Honorable Mention – Raelynn Jewison, Muskegon – Threaded Currents, porcelain slip cast wash cloths and yarn scraps

Honorable Mention – Wayne Johnson, Grand Haven – Dancers, wood sculpture

Founding Artists Award – Linda Deal, Montague – Mother and Child, oil on canvas

ACWL-Nuveen Award – Tim Marsh, Ludington – Elemental Mother, mixed media

ACWL-Nuveen Honorable Mention – Kim Kleinhardt, Traverse City – All in Her Head, mixed media

ACWL-Nuveen Honorable Mention – Marissa Klee-Peregon, Kalamazoo – Soft Rubble, satin, thread and foam

We hope that you will find time to stop by and see all the distinctive artwork in this exhibition which runs through April 25. The ACWL-Nuveen is located at 106 E. Colby in the heart of historic downtown Whitehall. We are open Tuesday through Friday 11:00am - 5:30pm and Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm. For more information you can call us at 231-893-2524 or email - nuveen@artswhitelake.org. A big thank you to Juror Amelia Anderson and all the artists who applied and participated in this year's show!