See the best of the best at
our Annual Juried Exhibit (AJE)
August 30 to October 12, 2025
It’s one of our most prestigious events of the year, not just because it is a juried show but because it features the work of our extraordinary CAG members. The Annual Juried Exhibit (AJE) attracts Midwest collectors interested in acquiring unique work. This show displays the work of our esteemed CAG members in a broad spectrum of media, including sculpture, metal, photography, pottery, glass, textiles, wood, mixed media, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, etc.), and so much more.
Digital submissions are open from July 1st - July 30th.
Winners of AJE 2024
BEST OF SHOW
Ruby, Sculpture by Daniel Grunst
BLUE RIBBON 2D
Dual Pearls, Watercolor
by Bruce Hustad
Crows, Corn and Pumpkins, Oil
by Susan Hale
One with the Silence,
Mono Print
by Jack Pachuta
BLUE RIBBON 3D
Flower Platter,
Ceramic
by Kandy Gibson
RED RIBBON 2D
Circular Composition on Gray,
Ink on Paper Collage
by Susan Rice
Lost Letter,
Watercolor
by Victoria Berdichevsky
Monumental,
Printmaking
by Alan Eickberg
RED RIBBON 3D
Basket,
Stoneware
by Nancy Guido
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Marked by Abundance and Delight, Acylic
by Kelly Garcia
Make Time for Play,
Mixed Media Assemblage
by Karla Byl
Barn Meets Meltwater,
Watercolor
by Tom Kubala
Wood Web,
Photography
by Allen Washatko
Awards for 2025
BEST OF SHOW
The winner will receive $500
2-D Awards
3 Blue Ribbon(s) and $250
3 Red Ribbon(s) and $125
3 Honorable Mention and $50
3-D Awards
1 Blue Ribbon and $250
1 Red Ribbon and $125
2 Honorable Mention and $50
Meet the jurors for AJE 2025!
Barbara Manger
Steve Puttrich
Barbara Manger is a Milwaukee-based visual artist whose monotypes and drawings explore the intimate and intricate patterns in the natural world. With a practice rooted in observation and abstraction, Manger employs line as a metaphor—echoing the movement of rivers, the texture of bark, and the rhythm of grass—to create layered, lyrical compositions inviting reflection and connection. Her work is characterized by delicate strands of color and form that build strength and resonance through their interconnection, suggesting organic systems' profound energy and complexity.
Manger works primarily with oil-based inks and an etching press, integrating traditional printmaking with experimental techniques. She incorporates gathered natural materials—sometimes bold, sometimes ephemeral—into her process, allowing for control and the element of chance. These “unexpected gifts,” as she describes them, are central to her creative journey and the contemplative experience she aims to offer the viewer.
A graduate of Beloit College (B.A.) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (M.S., M.F.A.), Manger also studied Japanese woodblock printing with master Toshi Yoshida in Japan. Her work has been exhibited at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, the Wilson Center for the Arts, and the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum. Her prints and drawings are held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Wisconsin Art, Quad/Graphics, Carroll University, and numerous corporate collections throughout the Midwest.
Website: https://www.barbaramanger.com
Steve Puttrich's story is one of artistic passion and versatility. He graduated from the American Academy of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, where he honed his skills in architectural illustration, graphic design, and fine art. Steve's watercolor technique flourished under the guidance of Irving Shapiro, while Eugene Hall nurtured his talent in oil painting. In his more than 35 years as an artist, Steve's tenure as vice president of creative services and innovation at the Parsons Corporation is a significant highlight.
Today, Steve and his wife, Bobbie, an artist, travel extensively to capture the beauty of the American landscape and teach others. Steve has made significant contributions to the art community through his teaching at the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art and his term as an Artist in Residence for the Plein Air Painters of Chicago.
Steve has received many awards for his artistic talent in Plein Air Painting, demonstrating his skill in both oil and watercolor mediums. His dedication to the art is evident through his participation in the Plein Air Painters of Chicago and the Oil Painters of America.
Steve's personal story is one of triumph and empathy. He has transformed the challenges of his childhood into a source of creative energy. His works are characterized by a harmonious interplay of light, color, and emotion, giving viewers a glimpse into a world of contemplative beauty. Steve's journey and art continue to evolve, guided by a deep connection to nature and an unyielding passion for exploration and expression. Recently, Steve invented a patent-pending tool for artists called The Fairview Finder, which helps artists focus on the most critical aspects of design and composition.
Website: https://www.steveputtrich.com