Awards were presented for Larson Gallery’s 70th Annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition at the opening reception on Nov. 1, 2025.
Original artwork by artists across 10 Central Washington counties were submitted for jurying. Of the 315 entries, 87 pieces were selected into the show by this year’s juror, Leo Adams.
“Feels Like Rain” by Laura Wise, oil on canvas
Best in Show: “Feels Like Rain” by Laura Wise, Wapato.
Larson Gallery Purchase Award: “The Conversation” by Cheryl Hahn, Yakima.
Director’s Choice Award: “Tiger Blood” by Karl Schwiesow, Ellensburg.
Jeffrey Schaap & Gilbert Young Award: “Sunflower Surprise” by Judy Kalin, Moses Lake.
Lilian & Muriel Adams Memorial Award: “Spring, Yakima County, WA: April 2025″ by Jeffrey Reynolds, Yakima.
President’s Award: “In the Eye of the Beholder” by Darcie Case Roberts, Yakima.
“It Can Hang on My Wall Any Day” Award: “Painted Slope After the Storm” by Jay Grate, West Richland.
Karen Raine Memorial Award: “Large Ceramic Jar” by Mike Hiler, Yakima.
Honorable Mention: “Double Lidded Candy Jar” by John Barany, Yakima.
Honorable Mention: “The Weight of Innocencer” by Stephen J. Rice, Yakima.
Honorable Mention: “Walking in Moonlight” by Jan Nilsson, West Richland.
Congratulations to the award winners, and to all of the artists represented in the show.
Larson Gallery would like to thank all who submitted work for jurying. The high caliber and solid demonstration of creativity in all entries was deeply impressive. The final selection was incredibly challenging, and many valid, talented works could not be juried in due to space and volume constraints.
Plan to visit Larson Gallery to see the creativity of Central Washington artists, which clearly demonstrates the variety and high caliber of artistic talent flourishing across our region.
Mezcla Collective Exhibition
In addition to CWAE, Larson Gallery presents a large-scale installation by the Yakima-based Mezcla Collective in the Original Larson Gallery, on the YVC Main campus. The old gallery is located on the northeast corner of 16th Avenue and Nob Hill Bouldevard, next to Prior Hall. The exhibit, titled “Path of Petals: A Cultural Journey through Día de los Muertos,” evokes the feeling of a graveyard on the Day of the Dead.
The Mezcla Collective’s mission is to support, advocate for and provide a collaborative space for Central Washington’s Latine artists. This project was funded in part by a grant from Washington State Tourism.
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