Brand Associates, in collaboration with Brand Library & Art Center and Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, announces the opening of the 52nd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper (Brand 52). The exhibition will run from June 15 through August 9, 2024, at Brand Library & Art Center. Featuring over 100 artworks selected by juror Shana Nys Dambrot, an esteemed art critic, author, and curator, the public opening reception will take place on Saturday, June 15 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. This event will celebrate a diverse group of artists, ranging from emerging talents to well-established professionals.
This year, Brand Associates received over 1,500 artwork submissions through an open call process. Juror Shana Nys Dambrot focused on pieces that showcased skill, innovation, finesse, beauty, power, and message. Dambrot stated, “For this ‘Paper’ extravaganza, I’ve gathered works that I feel are in deep dialogue with each other across a few key vectors. First and foremost, profound engagement with the materiality of paper as a medium, and in some cases as an object itself… Ultimately this is what everything I ended up including has in common—they embrace, elevate, explore, and expand what a work on paper can be.”
Debra Thompson, the Exhibition Chairperson and President of Brand Associates, recently retired from her role as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Art History at Glendale Community College. She remarked, “Epic is not a word to be used lightly or often, but it fits Brand 52 in many ways. This year saw the largest number of artworks entered (1,574) and the largest number of artists chosen for exhibition (102). Our artists have mastered a difficult medium through painting, drawing, cutting, folding, molding, tearing, adding and subtracting, gluing and taping, weaving, and sewing. The results are by turn beautiful, profound, and engaging. Epic, indeed!” Most of the artworks on display are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting cultural programming at Brand. Art and catalogs will be for sale at the opening event and subsequently on the Associates’ website: AssociatesOfBrand.org.
Gallery admission is free and open to the public during library hours. Limited free parking is available on-site, and ride-sharing is encouraged. Brand Library & Art Center hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday & Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Sunday & Monday. More information about Brand 52 can be found at BrandLibrary.org/Gallery. Brand Library & Art Center is located at 1601 W. Mountain Street in Glendale, CA.
