The Artist Space Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of the third Artist's Choice online Art Exhibition. Along with the selected artists, the jury selected award winners in the following art categories: painting, photography and mixed media prize. The show displayed a variety of artistic styles and mediums: acrylic, colored pencil, oil, watercolor, cast bronze, charcoal, pastel, stainless steel, photography, digital art, . Out of all submissions received 67 artworks were selected to be included in the exhibition.
Best of Show
Cher Pruys
Short Biography and Statement
Cher Pruys, ASAA SCA, IGOR, AAPL, CSAA, AMS, LMS, OSA, MAA, CFA, NOAPS, PSOA, AWA., AAOA. "To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer .... That is the ultimate in self-expression." Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years she lived in many places including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark, and pets. By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal and ink over the years, picking up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, watercolor and gouache, and her passion for hyperrealism. Although self-taught, her dedication and talent have seen her work juried into 1022 International exhibits. She has acquired 1552 awards for her work in the International Juried Exhibits. Her work has graced the covers of 4 books, 46 magazines, including The Best Of Acrylic Fall 2021, cover of the May 2022 Arabella Magazine, #20 Hyperrealism Magazine with “Girls Girls Girls”, & #21 with “The Young Cowboy”, Artists & Illustrators March 2024 Artistonish 2024 July edition, Observica Elite 2024,Art Closeup Magazine#26 Jan. 2025, The back cover of Novum Artis #007, 2025, Hyperrealism Magazine Special Edition 2025, The Amazing World Of Cher Pruys, Sfumato Art Gallery Fall Exhibition 2026, “Reawakening’s” Group Exhibition Magazine Cover with “Hidden Groves”, The cover of Louvre Unbound Volume 5, with “Taxi Ride”. She has been featured in over 1000 International publications. Cher's works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.
Painting Prize
Jay Johansen
Short Biography and Statement
My art explores identity, emotion, and legacy. Through portraits, I capture not just likeness but essence, using bold palettes and textures to evoke nostalgia, intrigue, and reflection inviting viewers to connect with deeper stories. Legacy, history & experience that’s what makes the story telling, by way of oil & acrylic mediums, by Jay Johnsen approachable, relevant & enduring.
Sculpture Prize
Jason Shih
Short Biography and Statement
Jason Shih was born in 1972 in Taiwan. In 1991, he began to specialize in metal sculpture when he was a sophomore in the Fine Arts Dept. of Taipei National University of the Arts. In 2001, he graduated from School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, and majored in Metal Sculpture. And then, he served as the metal sculptor Albert Paley's assistant, involved in crafts and public art work practices. Furthermore, he earned his Art Ph. D. from China Academy of Art, China (2015). Now, he lives in Taiwan, and consistently engages in the both areas of sculpture and public art. Jason Shih’s artistic vision is shaped by a diverse array of influences, from contemporary dance to avant-garde fashion. He cites German choreographer Pina Bausch and British designer Alexander McQueen as significant inspirations. Bausch’s explorations of time and space resonate with Shih’s interest in sculpture’s capacity to embody kinetic energy and spatial imagination. McQueen’s innovative approach to contemporary imagery and themes provides Shih with a broad canvas for creative expression. Shih’s work is also influenced by the aesthetic principles of Futurism and Constructivism, movements that emphasize dynamic energy and continuous motion. These influences are evident in his pursuit of capturing the beauty of movement and the elegant restraint of natural forces. Shih’s sculptures often depict moments of defying gravity, capturing the fleeting beauty of motion in a static form.
Drawing Prize
Galal Ramadan
Short Biography and Statement
Galal Ramadan is award-winning, self-taught master colored pencil artist and art instructor. His career had been in graphic design, marketing and business. Ramadan participates in solo, curated national and international visual art exhibitions. His artwork and himself were featured in several International Art Magazines. He is teaching colored pencil classes and art workshops at several locations in South FL. Ramadan is a signature member of several prestige International art organizations. Ramadan was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt and lives and works in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Signature, Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA, CPX) • Signature Member, UK Colored Pencil Society (UKCPS Silver, UKCPSO) Elected Member, American Artists Professional League (AAPL) • Member, International Guild of Realism (IGOR) • Member, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, FL • Member, Florida Artists Group Member, SOBRA Collective.
Winners