Statement from the Juror

The process involved in selecting the work is a rigorous one. I approach the jurying with a careful eye and a careful mind. I look for a spectrum of understanding perceptual and formal issues, conceptual thinking, a sense of materials, touch and history. This is a spectrum that I refer to often when discussing visual art. One piece may be conceptually rich and another executed with technical sophistication. Some find a balance on this spectrum while others dive deep into one end. Please know that I do not see one as more important than the other, all are equally important because this reflects the art and times of our culture today.

I have had the pleasure of working in the visual arts for many years on both the east coast and west coast. I have taught for many years at a State University and a top ranked private Art School as well as worked in well-respected museums and galleries. I have engaged with many artist personalities, young and old with many diverse backgrounds. I take these experiences into account when viewing and jurying work. It is not black and white. It is not just ‘good & bad’. It is a gray area that my juried decision comes from. I look at all of the work in one sitting and then I look again. I take my time to think about everything that I have seen, and then I look again. Diversity in the work and contexts begin to emerge.

I begin to make jurying decisions with this diversity in mind because different voices and viewpoints are powerful factors. This increases an audiences’ potential to better understand art and culture. From experiencing both the ‘insider artist’ and the ‘casual Sunday painter’, the two are equally important because learning the language of visual form, the importance of process, cultivating critical thinking, and communicating effectively is essential in today’s world. It gives a stronger appreciation of who we are and where we live. No matter where the audience comes from, this information parallels various sensibilities steeped in the development of continuous growth.

It is crucial that we encourage our artists and audiences to broaden their perceptions of art. Artists can challenge audiences to move beyond their comfort zones in order to understand what art is and what art does. These groups must be exposed to sound arguments, have an opportunity to criticize, and an opportunity to be exposed to ideas visually and verbally.  By the end, I hope this allows us all to open up and shift our viewpoints and opinions. This critical process presents the opportunity for more conscious, well-thought-out assessments about art and culture. I see art as a cultural tool enriching the lives of those who take notice and hopefully indirectly enriching the lives of those that do not.

I would like to thank Associate Director & Curator Jennie Castle and The Arts Center for this opportunity. I would also like to thank all of the artists who applied.

Scott Malbaurn
Juror Statement
2025 Around Oregon Biennial