As a professional artist and educator, I realize and appreciate the efforts of all teaching artists represented in the NAEA Electronic Gallery 2002 Membership Exhibition. As a juror, I assume the responsibility of passing judgement on images resulting from the efforts of others. I rely on my education and professional experience to provide me the knowledge to make valid decisions. This particular exhibition includes a fair representation of ceramics, collage, photography, drawing, fibers, glass, installation, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. This provided for a difficult yet exciting challenge to award from such diverse and accomplished submissions. Most of the works presented in this exhibition appear figurative or representational in nature. I typically begin my selection process with an initial response to art language fundamentals of composition, form, line, value, color, etc. Some works, having thought-provoking conceptual orientations, inspire more critical thinking. Still others may seem simplistic in their content, but have more symbolic meaning to their creator. I believe as a juror one should have an open mind and an appreciation for many types and styles of visual art, whether or not initially comprehended by the viewing audience. I do not consider myself to be an expert in all facets of visual art, and perhaps naïve in some, but works selected to receive awards I considered most accomplished in terms of artistic language and visual stimulation.
I would like to thank Luci McMichael for providing me the invitation to serve as juror for the NAEA 2002 Electronic Gallery Membership Exhibit and acknowledge the superb effort and organization put forth to present this unique presentation. I congratulate all the artists represented in the 2002 Electronic Gallery Membership Exhibit and hope to see more results of their efforts in the future.
Jeffrey Sippel
Assistant Professor of Art
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Jeffrey Sippel is artist/educator/collaborating master printer who has spent many years studying the art of printmaking. He has practiced and taught all methods of printmaking. He is most specialized in developing new applications for the art of lithography and waterless lithography. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University and Master Printer certificate from Tamarind Institute, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He has taught at several prominent universities, including The Ohio State University, for ten years as Education Director of Tamarind Institute and presently at The University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he has organized a new "non-toxic" printmaking program. He has worked collaboratively, both as an artist and a printer, with over one hundred professional artists and artisans throughout the world. He helped organize and direct the now established "Quensen" professional workshop in Germany. He has traveled the globe, presenting workshops, lectures and demonstrations at many schools and universities in Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Finland, Germany, India, Mexico, Poland, USSR, and Venezuela. His work has been exhibited regionally, nationally and internationally. He is represented by many private and public collections.