CAM Biennial's 'People's Choice' Award

Pacific Golden Plover: On Johnson's Mill Pond mixed media, by Kimberly Wurster Image courtesy of the artist

Coos Art Museum announces the winner of the People’s Choice Award from the CAM Biennial 2006

Voting for the People’s Choice' Award was held during the run of the exhibition CAM Biennial 2006, The Art of Oregon, October 20 – November 25, 2006. Visitors of the exhibition were encouraged to choose their favorite work of art. Receiving the highest amounts of votes was Pacific Golden Plover: On Johnson's Mill Pond, a mixed media of watercolor, pen & ink and pastel by Kimberly Wurster of Coquille, Oregon. Johnson’s Mill Pond, Wurster’s inspiration for this work, is just minutes from her front door. “I go to Johnson’s Mill Pond as often as possible to watch birds and collect reference material. When I noticed this plover atop a piling, I was immediately attracted to the strong pattern of light and shadow created by the low angle of the winter sun. I simplified the water and wood considerably to keep the focus on the sunlit bird and plants. Everything about this subject was most appealing to me and I greatly enjoyed the entire painting process. When I see people respond to my paintings, the more I am encouraged to pursue and share my artistic vision. I am delighted that my work was their favorite in the CAM Biennial 2006 and sincerely thanks them for their support ”

Prior to moving to the Southern Oregon Coast in 1995, Wurster and her husband lived in western Montana where they developed a number of wildlife refuges. These refuges, situated in migratory flight paths, provided Wurster incredible opportunities to observe first hand a variety of birds such as ducks, geese, swans and sand hill cranes.

As a non-juried exhibition for Oregon artists, participants were from all around the state
“ We had a tremendous turn out this year - both in submissions and in the balloting. Works by artists from eastern Oregon - LaGrande and Condon, the Columbia River Gorge - The Dalles & Hood River – from southern Oregon - Roseburg, Medford & Ashland, from the Willamette Valley – Portland, Salem, Eugene, were displayed along side works by artists from the Oregon Coast. The exhibition consisted of works by professionals and novices in mediums as diverse as fiber, photography, jewelry, ceramics to paintings in oils, watercolors, acrylic and pastels. 107 of the 214 works on display received at least one vote - that means 50% of the artwork displayed in the CAM Biennial 2006, the Art of Oregon was someone's favorite!”, MJ Koreiva, Coos Art Museum, Executive Director.

Wurster has been the recipient of previous awards at the Coos Art Museum
This is Wurster’s third award from an exhibition held at the Coos Art Museum. In February of 2005, Wurster took First Place at the Bay Area Artists’ Association’s 2005 Regional Juried Exhibition with a pastel titled April Afternoon. Then, in May of 2005, Wurster took First Place at Expressions West 2005, with a watercolor & pastel titled Early Birds.