Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

The National Portrait Gallery Announces “Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2009” Awards

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery announced that Dave Woody of Fort Collins, Colo., has received first prize for the “Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2009” for a photograph titled “Laura.” First prize is a cash award of $25,000 and a separate commission from the museum to portray a remarkable living American for its permanent collection.

Second prize was awarded to Stanley Rayfield of Richmond, Va., who submitted a painting titled “Dad.” Third prize went to Adam Vinson of Jenkintown, Pa.; his oil-on-panel painting is titled “Dressy Bessy Takes a Nap.” Commended artists are: Margaret Bowland, for a painting; Yolanda del Amo, for her C-print photograph; Gaela Erwin, for her pastel on paper; and Emil Robinson for an oil-on-panel portrait.

These works are finalists in the museum’s second national portrait competition. Of more than 3,300 entries submitted from across the country, 49 artists’ works were chosen to display in the exhibition; seven of these works were chosen for the short list. The competition received entries in every visual-arts medium. A full list of artists represented in the exhibition can be viewed at npg.si.edu.

In addition, one exhibiting artist will win the People’s Choice Award, in which visitors to the exhibition, both online and in the gallery, may cast a vote for their favorite of the 49 finalists. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will close Jan. 18, 2010.

Jurors for the competition were Wanda M. Corn, professor emerita in art history at Stanford University; Kerry James Marshall, artist; Brian O’Doherty, artist and critic; and Peter Schjeldahl, art critic for the New Yorker. Jurors from the National Portrait Gallery were Martin E. Sullivan, director; Carolyn K. Carr, deputy director and chief curator; and Brandon Brame Fortune, curator of painting and sculpture.

The exhibition of 49 portraits is open to the public Oct. 23 through Aug. 22, 2010.

The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is a triennial event that was endowed by the late Virginia Outwin Boochever; this endowment has enabled the museum to conduct a national portrait competition and exhibition.

National Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery tells the history of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY). Web site: npg.si.edu.