January 14, 1960: From approximately 1500 paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture submitted for the biennial Brooklyn and Long Island Artists Exhibition, the jury selected 140 works which will be shown in the Special Exhibitions Gallery at the Brooklyn Museum from January 26 through March 13.
Attracting over 300 entries more than in previous years, this Exhibition offers a rare opportunity for everyone to see the directions of contemporary art produced by artists living or teaching in Brooklyn and Long Island. The jury of Selections and Awards, which chose 31 more works than the previous year, consisted of painter William Kienbusch, the sculptor Calvin Albert and Hertha Wegener, Assistant Curator of Paintings and Sculpture at the Brooklyn Museum.
Mrs. Wegener, who organized and installed the Exhibition, observed that “the participation of artists was very enthusiastic this year, and I feel that the quality of the show is higher than it has ever been for this regional exhibition.”
Four of the artists were notified this week that they were winners of prizes consisting of two $100 Savings Bonds awarded by Abraham and Straus, a $100 Bond from Martin’s and $200 in cash from Mr. and Mrs. John E. McKeen whose top award was presented to Albert Terris for his sculpture in steel, titled NATURE MACHINE.
Mr. Terris, who was born in New York City, studied in WPA art schools, at New York University and at City College following three years of military service with the First Allied Airborne. He is now an instructor in the Art Department of Brooklyn College.
Charles Schucker, winner of the Martin’s Prize for his brilliant oil painting, HYMN TO CRIMSON LIGHT, is a resident of Brooklyn Heights. Born in Pennsylvania, Schucker lived for many years in Chicago where he exhibited at the renowned Art Institute in addition to several one-man shows in the mid-western city. Six one-man shows are listed in New York City by this artist who was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1953, and is currently teaching at Pratt Institute.
Brooklyn and Long Island are each represented in the Abraham and Straus awards. Brooklynite George McNeil, third generation of the Brooklyn family, won with his strong, amorphous design of the oil on board, VERSAILLES II. Mr. McNeil studied at the Art School of the Brooklyn Museum and, with the exception of the war years, he has been painting since 1930. Following his first exhibition with the American Abstract Artists in 1936, he has been seen in twelve one-man and numerous group shows. Mr. McNeil is an instructor at Pratt Institute.
The extraordinary figure in bronze, GREEK SHEPHERD, won the other Abraham and Straus award for Long Island artist George Koras. Born in Greece in 1925, the award winner studied at the School of Fine Arts in Athens and had his first show at the age of 22. In 1955 Mr. Koras came to the United States and became a permanent resident, and, through his studies of a lost wax process technique, he evolved a new method of handling bronze. His first one-man show in this country was in November of last year, followed by the purchase of three of his works for the Chrysler Museum in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Among the well-known artists given Honorable Mention is Walter Murch for his realistic oil, CARBURETOR, Brooklyn Museum Art School teacher, William King represented by the painted wood sculpture, THE FENCER, Justin Schorr for his oil, WESTERN PEDIMENT, and the sculptor, Walter Erlebacher wIth the unusual lead and brass FIRE TREE.
Most of the works in this major showing of the Brooklyn and Long Island Artists are for sale at the Brooklyn Museum where the Exhibition opens on January 26, following an invitational preview for the Museum members and their guests.
PRESS MAY VIEW THE SHOW AT ANYTIME ON MONDAY, January 25.
Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1953 - 1970. 1960, 003-5.
