74th Annual Virtual Fair Now Live, In-Person Fair Tentatively Scheduled for June 5-6

                                                                       

CHICAGO, IL (April 19, 2021) – The 57th Street Art Fair committee of jurors is pleased to award their coveted “Newcomer Award” to glass artist, William Ortman. Ortman a Columbus College of Art and Design Fine Art graduate, creates unique works of art using incredibly rich glass colors and textures. The Newcomer Award comes with a cash prize and a prominent booth space.

 

Each year the Newcomer Awards are chosen from the jury’s top scoring new artists from a total of almost 300 applications.  In the first stage of jurying each jury member carefully and independently reviews each of these applications, composed of artists’ images, statements, and descriptions of their work.

 

“While the pandemic has posed many challenges this year, we want to honor and celebrate the amazing art community and honor William Ortman with the 2021 Newcomer Award. Every year after the first stage of jurying is complete, the committee looks forward to our meeting where we gather and the jurors review the highest scoring new artists to determine our Newcomer Award or Awards,” said Cate Slighton, 57th St. Art Fair Committee Member. “Ortman is part of our robust and interactive Virtual Fair, which is currently live on our website. We remain hopeful that we will also be able to host an in- person event June 5+6.”

 

For Ortman, glass allows for variations of intensity of hue, tone and depth and is captivated by the way colors come to light on a glass surface. Glass can do everything that other sculptural media can; in addition, the ways in which color can be layered on glass provides a unique three-dimensional quality of depth. Currently Ortman is exploring the incalmo technique and has been incorporating cane working and complex Murine in his designs. Using traditional Italian techniques, he draws inspiration from Asian cultural art. According to Ortman, “Glass making is what I love and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. It is a pleasure for me to share what I do.”

 

Considered the Midwest’s oldest juried art fair, currently celebrating the 74th year, the 57th Street Art Fair is pleased to promote nearly 100 artists part of their 2021 Virtual Fair. Please visit and shop the 2021 Virtual Fair at www.57thstreetartfair.org. Updates regarding the in-person event will also be posted regularly to the website.

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Please note: The 57th St. Art Fair is a juried art fair and features ONLY original works of art by the country’s most talented group of artists. All work is designed and handmade by the artist, and we do not accept or promote reproductions on-site. However, some artists do sell production studio work on their websites so please work with each individual artist featured HERE if you have questions.

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Enjoy!