Every two years, Rochester’s oldest and longest-running juried exhibition showcases new work in all media by emerging and established artists from a 27-county region of western and central New York State. Since only a small percentage of works submitted are chosen, Rochester-Finger Lakes remains a prestigious showcase for regional artists. Past award winners, many of whom have gone on to establish national reputations, include Kathy Armstrong, Kathy Calderwood, Wendell Castle, Hans Christensen, Ani Hoover, Nancy Jurs, Albert Paley, Honoré Sharrer, and Bill Stewart.
Meet the 2021 Artists
Thomas O’Brien
Harry Rosen
Awards
In 2021, artists are eligible for six cash prizes totaling more than $5,000. The first five have been announced at the members’ exhibition opening celebration, the Harris Popular Vote Award will be announced on September 1.
- Memorial Art Gallery Award (Award of Excellence); selected by the juror ($1,500)
Given to Vanessa Tierney for Suffocating, 2020 - Alice E. Koret/Docent Award, given in memory of Alice E. Koret by Dr. Sidney Koret, friends and family; selected by a MAG docent ($1,000)
Given to Thomas F. Insalaco for Origins #6, 2021 - Gertrude Herdle Moore/Isabel Herdle Award, given by the Gallery Council of the MAG; selected by the juror ($500)
Given to Anna Warfield for Parched, 2019 - Ida Louis Abrams Award, given in memory of Mrs. Louis by her family; selected by the juror ($600)
Given to Patricia Russotti for Mycology_01, 2020 - Ronan Christopher Louis Award, given in memory of Ronan Christopher Louis (2010–2013) by his family; selected by the juror ($500)
Given to Zane Leo for Destructive Hope, 2019 - Louis D’Amanda Memorial Award given by Mrs. June Allis D’Amanda ($500)
Given to Abigail Benkovich for It is Well, 2020 - Harris Popular Vote Award, given in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Manville S. Harris to the artist whose work receives the most votes from visitors during the first two weeks of the exhibition ($500).
Congratulations to Emily Glass for her work The Grand Old Dandelions. A must-see in person at MAG.
About the Juror
MAG is pleased to announce that this year’s entries were selected by Amanda Chestnut, a curator, artist, educator, and arts advocate living in Rochester. An image-based artist known for their photography, Chestnut has exhibited their work throughout New York State. They hold an MFA in Visual Studies from Visual Studies Workshop through The College at Brockport, SUNY.
Sponsored by the Gallery Council of the Memorial Art Gallery, the Rubens Family Foundation, and the Elaine P. and Richard U. Wilson Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Gouvernet Arts Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Chris and Mike Haefner, Dr. Karal Ann Marling, Pamela Miller Ness and Paul Marc Ness, James and Marguerite Quinn, and an anonymous donor.
The exhibition is also made possible by the John D. Greene Endowment for Contemporary Exhibitions, the Thomas and Marion Hawks Memorial Fund, the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull Fund, and the Nancy R. Turner Fund for Special Exhibitions.