A Deeper Look Into The West Coast Biennial 2023

The time has come for the 7th West Coast Biennial Juried Art Exhibit! This Turtle Bay tradition is loved by many, and it wouldn’t be possible without your remarkable art submissions. We are asking artists like you to submit pieces of media that you think would make great additions to the 2023 Exhibition. Let’s learn more about the West Coast Biennial and how you can enter your art to be featured and win big prizes.

The History

Beginning in 2011, the West Coast Biennial was the brainchild of Mary Harper, former Turtle Bay Education Manager, and her husband, John Harper, artist, instructor, and former Art Curator of the Redding Museum. Before the opening of the Museum at Turtle Bay, John and Mary both thoroughly enjoyed the annual art competition and exhibition in the small art gallery of the Redding Museum of Art and History, and wished to recreate this idea on a much larger scale. Hence, the West Coast Biennial at Turtle Bay was born!

John and Mary focused the program on established and emerging artists in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. There was, and still is, a great emphasis on choosing diverse, well-rounded jurors who would attract a wide range of talented artists. 

In 2019, Turtle Bay shifted its tactic for collecting intricate pieces of artwork to a platform called Entry Thingy. This technique has the power to attract artists to Turtle Bay who may have never heard of the non-profit. The background of the West Coast Biennial showcases the dedication and passion that fueled the exhibit’s progression.

Meet The 2023 Juror 

Shelly Willis has more than three decades of experience planning, curating, and managing the production of hundreds of temporary and permanent artworks throughout the country.  

As the Director of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission’s Public Art Program from 2007-2017, she managed the City and County of Sacramento’s Art in Public Places Programs, including the $8 million dollar Sacramento International Airport and the $9.5 million Entertainment and Sports Complex public art programs. Willis came to Sacramento after six years of managing the University of Minnesota’s public art program, where she also taught public art courses in the Departments of Urban Studies and Landscape Architecture. 

Art Submission Details 

This year, the Juror will select 30-50 pieces of artwork to be exhibited in the Turtle Bay Art Gallery. Acceptable forms of media include paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography, sculptures, or mixed media. Be sure to enter by November 8 for your chance to be featured in the Turtle Bay Museum Gallery.

The Exhibit

January 28 - April 30, 2023

While our staff curates the exhibition, the juror’s selections shape how that exhibition will look and feel each year. One rare feature of the Biennial Exhibit is that many artworks are for sale!

The opening night of the 7th West Coast Biennial Juried Art Exhibit is Friday, January 27, 2023, at 4:00 pm during the City-wide Cultural Cruise. This is when prizes are awarded to the artists, and the public is welcome to celebrate this grand recognition. The juror will give a public talk before the reception. 

We are extremely excited about this year’s West Coast Biennial!
For more information, visit turtlebay.org/biennial, or email biennial@turtlebay.org.