The Grand Center for Arts & Culture held the opening reception Friday for the ArtScape exhibit.

Each year, dozens of artists from across south central Minnesota submit art pieces in the adult and student categories for show. This year’s exhibit saw 90 submissions, with 55 works being displayed in the show.

The ArtScape show is different from most of The Grand’s gallery exhibits because it is a juried show. Awards are given for first, second, third, and honorable mention in the adult category. In the student category, there is a first-place award.

Betsy Beyer, Professor of Arts and Art History at Gustavus Adolphus College, served as this year’s juror. Beyer considered originality, composition, and presentation in making her selections.

Cathedral sophomore Taylor Wyzcawski stands next to her painting “Battle of the Colossal,” which won the ArtScape grand prize for youth submissions.

In the youth division, Taylor Wyzcawski of New Ulm was awarded the youth Grand Prize of $100. Miciah Amoah of New Ulm was awarded the youth honorable mention of $25.

Wyzcawski is a sophmore at Cathedral High School. She received the top youth prize for her pieces “Battle of the Colossal,” which depicts whale and squid battling under water. Wyzcawski said she came up with the idea last spring in class.

“We were doing the ‘March Mammal Madness,'” she said. “The two animals were on the board, like they were going to fight.”

Wyzcawski said her preference in art is to draw with pencil and paper, but does enjoying using paints as well. She is especially fond of watercolors.

In the adult division, Adrienne Herbert of Lakefield and Scott Markell of North Mankato were awarded the honorable mention award of $25 for their artworks.

The wood turned vase made by Carter Johnson received second place in 2024’s ArtScape juried show. Johnson named the piece “Octopus” because of how it shifted and changed while he was creating it. In addition, the knot resembles an octopus eye.

Judith LaGrow of New Ulm was awarded the third-place prize of $200 for her painting “Alaska/Double Exposure.”

This is the second time in a row LaGrow has received third place in the ArtScape competition. LaGrow said she did not expected an award this year. Her painting was based off a photograph of her great uncle, who was a fur trapping in Alaska. She had the photograph for 30 years but only got around to painting it this year.

Carter Johnson of Lake Crystal was awarded the second-place prize of $200 for his wood turned bowl called “Octopus.”

Johnson said he made the bowl on a wood lathe. He placed a still green piece of wood on the lathe. As the wood dries it starts to warp and create the warping effect. After applying a finish, Johnson placed it in a kiln to speed up the process and the warping became more extreme.

The name “Octopus” was a reference to how the bowl shifted. Some of the wood rings resembled octopus arms and the knot looked like a large eye.

The acrylic painting “Alaska/Double Exposure” by Judy LaGrow received third place in the ArtScape juried show. LaGrow said the piece was based off a photograph of her great uncle who was a fur trapper in Alaska. The photo she had was given to her 30 years ago. She finally got around to painting it this year.

Johnson said he’s been working with the wood lathe for 22 years, but got serious with it four years ago. He was surprised to receive second, but was honored.

“There are a lot of great pieces in this exhibit,” he said.

Sandra Heibult of Saint James was awarded the Grand Prize of $400 for her painting “With Honor.” Her painting depicts a funeral procession for a fallen police officer. In Minnesota, an officer killed in the line of duty is given a funeral with a horse-drawn caisson.

Heibult was inspired to create the painting following the death of police officer Tom Decker, who was shot and killed performing a wellness check. Heibult used reference photos from the funeral procession to create her piece.

Heibult said two of the horses used to pull the caisson were local horses belonging to Duane Kitzberger, which she included in the painting.

Heibult said it took three years to complete the painting. She worked on it in her spare time, hanging it on a wall in between paint sessions.

“With Honor” was recently displayed at the Minnesota State Fair. Heibult said after the State Fair show closed she immediately brought it to ArtScape.

She said the pieces continues to feel relevant as other officers are lost during the line of duty.

The Grand executive director John Kellen said he was very pleased with this years showing.

“There is a lot of talent on display,” he said. “I am very impressed.”

The Grand worked to increase the number of submissions to ArtScape by reaching out to regional art councils. The extra effort paid off with 20 more submissions this year.

ArtScape is typically held in November, but was moved to September to avoid conflict with Springfield’s art show.

The ArtScape exhibit will remain on display at the Grand through Wednesday, Oct. 9. Anyone visiting the gallery between now and the closing day is allow to vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Any of the pieces on display in the gallery can be voted on. The winner will be announced after the close of the show.

The Grand’s gallery is opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.