As the title says, I’m at the end of another outdoor juried show season, and it was a challenging one. Given the state of the economy in 2026 (gas at over $4.00/gallon, and everything else being more expensive than in recent years), it’s understandable that sales have been disappointing, even at shows where I’ve sold my work successfully before.
I am always grateful for my collectors, both repeat and new—I love seeing that moment of connection between my work and a viewer; it’s why I do what I do. So, instead of dwelling upon the negative, I’ll share some memorable moments from the 2026 show season below:
In May, I was awarded 2nd place at the Orange Street ArtsFest by judge Ben Billingsley, Associate Curator of the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina.
In June, I added new work to my “Talisman” series, which I presented at the Columbia Festival of the Arts, in Columbia, MD. Note: all but one of them shown below have new homes.
At the Cary, NC Lazy Daze festival in August, I met new collectors and also reconnected with a woman from my college days who also became a collector (I love when that happens!) of “Ancestral Stories: Luminous Ocean” shown at left.
September and October were busy, with CenterFest in Durham, NC and Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival in Newport News, VA. The pieces below are among those which found new homes at these shows:
To diversify my reach, I am seeking new ways to present my work to new audiences, including private collectors, galleries, retailers, and art consultants. I’m looking forward to the new, exciting collaborations this journey may bring, so stay tuned!
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Until next time,
Michelle
