The National League of American Pen Women’s (NLAPW) 51st Biennial Conference is being held in the U.S. midwest for the first time in its history 127 year history. The theme is from a quote by Georgia O’Keefe who was a member. The full quote is: “To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage. The juried and judged art exhibit is already open at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center in downtown Columbus, OH. This prestigious show, in the main gallery at the Priscilla R. Tyson Columbus Cultural Arts Center, will be celebrated with an opening on Saturday, April 27th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. More like a gala event, two local actors will represent well-know Ohio NLAPW members, Alice Schille and Erma Bombeck in period costumes. Guests will be entertained with live background music by The Columbus Koto Ensemble dressed in full kimonos. Announcements at 7:00 will include the presentation of “The Jeny Reynolds Art Award for Creativity” for one of the works in the exhibit. 

Nanette Maciejunes, emeritus executive director and CEO of the Columbus Museum of Art, was the juror tasked with selecting the 37 works from all the submitted entries. Cat Sheridan, director of the Riffe Gallery, was the judge. I am proud that my encaustic mixed media work, Deforestation #3: Gold Mining the Amazon was awarded third place.