ArtsMemphis will host an opening reception Monday, February 18th, 5:30-7:30p.m. for the “Emmett O’Ryan Award Group Exhibition.” This exhibition features the work of 12 past nominees and winners of the Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration.
O’Ryan, a founding board member of Metropolitan Bank, was an avid art collector and artist. Since 2011, the “Emmett” is given annually to an emerging artist recognized for his or her work and promise for future artistic significance. Nominees for the award were selected from local arts organizations. The only criteria that the arts organizations have to consider when choosing their one nominee is that the artist is emerging in their field and engaged in the community. A committee of Metropolitan Bank staff members and a member of O’Ryan’s family will vote on the artist to receive the Emmett. The selected artist will receive a $2,000 cash prize.
This year’s nominees and their nominating arts organization are Thomasin Durgin – UrbanArt Commission; Eli Gold — Crosstown Arts; Andrew Meers — The Metal Museum; Bill Price — Memphis College of Art; Jared Small — Memphis Brooks Museum; and Alan Spearman — Indie Memphis.
Past winners of the award that are included in the exhibition are Mary Catherine Floyd (2011) and Anthony D. Lee (2012). Past nominees that are also in the show are Logan Hirsch, Brian Pera, Eszter Sziksz, and Amy Hutcheson.
