2026 Besser Museum Juried Art Exhibition
In the Wilson Gallery from August 8 - October 24
Congratulations to the 2026 Juried Art Prize Winners
FIRST PLACE
"Ice Floes, El Cajon Bay"
by Sheridan Waldrop
Acrylic Paint
SECOND PLACE
"Tibetan Wind Horse"
by Kimberly Nunneley
Wool, Beads, Metallic Thread
THIRD PLACE
"Flash Bang"
by Beverly Benson Wolf
Photograph
HONORARY MENTION
"School Ride"
by Kevin Radu
Steel Sculpture
HONORARY MENTION
"Trouble"
by Terry Lowell
Wood Sculpture
HONORARY MENTION
"Holy Cross- Alpena"
by Kathryn Sautter
Digital Photograph
HONORARY MENTION
"Pictured Rocks"
by Micahael LaTulip
Acrylic Paint
A Sincere Thank You to Mary Alice Comar - for being the 2026 Juror.
We truly appreciate all the time and careful thought Mary Alice invested in curating the art that is now on display in the Wilson Gallery at the Besser Museum. Please visit soon to see all 40 artworks in-person.
You'll be able to read the juror's critique of the winning pieces and be amazed by the talent in Northeast Michigan.
Mary Alice Comar
“My primary goal as an artist is to share the excitement of an idea, emotion, or experience. As a visual person, I am constantly framing compositions. The interaction of the principles of design with the elements will catch my eye as life creates composition and all subject matter and media are on the table.”
Mary Alice Comar earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Siena Heights University with a Major in Art with training all media from painting, clay, jewelry, sculpture, serigraphy and Minors in Speech, Drama, and English with a teaching certification. Her Master of Humanities degree was awarded from Central Michigan University with course work from Purdue and Michigan State University. She studied portraiture in oil and pastel under Daniel Greene, a nationally renowned portrait artist. She has exhibited in various juried exhibitions: Hartland Art Festival; Northeast Michigan Besser Museum; her 4’ x 5’ Abstract oil titled; “Vatican Two” won Grand Prize in the First Annual Lafayette (IN) Arts Festival and Second Grand Prize in the Amateur Division of the “Indianapolis 500 Festival of Arts”.
She has delivered various art commissions and instructed in all media including photography pre-school through college and adult for 30 years. She has also juried several art exhibitions.
DATES TO REMEMBER
July 20 - July 25 Delivery of Work & Fee
July 27 - July 29 Art Selection & Jury Process (work is no longer accepted)
July 31 - Aug 7 Non-accepted Work Pick Up (notification by phone)
Oct 26 - Oct 29 ALL Work Must Be Picked Up
OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday August 8, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm