RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The 8th annual Members Show of the Rancho Cordova Arts Organization opened on June 11 at the Mills Station Arts and Culture Center (MACC). Artist Leslie McCarron was the juror for this show, which included many different subjects and mediums. There were 109 artworks in the show contributed by 108 artists.

Cheryl Gleason, Art Director and Curator of the MACC, and President of RC Arts, aided by Gallery Assistant Leon Phillips, announced the award-winning artists at the reception on June 12. Best of Show was earned by Jennifer Coulter, first place went to Polly LaPorte, second place to Carolyn Markis, third place to Cheryl Gleason (who tried unsuccessfully to decline the prize) and three Honorable Mentions: Dave Monousos, Lucille van Ommering and Nick Buchberger.

Jennifer Coulter received Best of Show for her artwork titled “Herd Mentality,” which features toy plastic animals. “I was very excited when it all came together, and sometimes you just wonder – how do you know when it’s done?” Coulter said.

Coulter described her artwork as, “Toy animals arranged upon a mirrored surface create a reflection on collective behavior and perception. The piece recalls the innocence of childhood play while inviting viewers to consider how instinct, identity, and social patterns continue into adulthood and society as a whole.”

LaPorte said that her winning oil painting is part of a series she is working on.

“I call it the dream series, and it’s basically figurative young women in a resting pose . . . nonactive, sort of like caught in between, sitting there thinking, or imagining,” said LaPorte.

She said that she pictures the viewer figuring out on their own what (the woman is) thinking or experiencing at the time.

Markis’s clay sculpture is of a pig standing, looking forward with a calm expression: “Engraved into one side of the pig is a traditional butcher’s cut map, with carefully incised lines dividing the body into sections such as the shoulder, loin, belly, ham and jowl. Perched at the base of the pig’s back is a small mouse . . . The two animals face in opposite directions . . . The pig gazes forward with its snout slightly raised, while the mouse looks behind the pig, as though watching the path they have traveled.”

Carolyn Markis won second place with “Gains, Losses, and Hindsight.”  “Find a community if you can,” Markis advised starting artists.  “Find a community that will help you and be generous with their information.”

McCarron’s description of Gleason’s work said, “The serene matte blue and green colors create a peaceful and soothing feel to the piece, while the organic curves and mark-making add dimension and intrigue carrying the viewer's eyes from one end of the painting to the other. Bits of stationary hints of landscape and swirling circles create movement and excitement in the piece.”

Gleason gave special thanks to her helpers: Leon, Anu and Yannah.

“One thing that Rancho is about, is about pulling together,” Gleason said. “When the chips are down or somebody needs help, we’re a giant community who loves to help one another.”

The whole show can be seen at the MACC, 10191 Mills Station Road, Rancho Cordova, through June 27. Open hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Juror Leslie McCarron said about Cheryl Gleason’s third place winner, “After the Division,” “This is a painting that I just kept coming back to over and over, seeing something new each time.”