While we saw a slight drop in entries this year, the quality and diversity impressed several jury members. “The caliber of entries, for the most part, did not disappoint,” said juror Loraine Joyner. “We saw competence and mastery of medium across the board, whether in painting, assemblages, collage, drawing or digital. And there was a whole lot of digital. It amazes me how much more precise, detailed and stunningly complex digital has become in the hands and imaginations of truly adept users.” “It’s interesting to see how different illustrators interpreted current events,” said juror Brian Anstey. “From the war to the presidential race, there were many different points of view.” Juror Dan Craig expressed concern that fundamental drawing skills are becoming less important to the artist and audience. “As both see more conceptualized and pared down images (as far as rendering goes), they see less of what’s technically well-executed,” he said. “I view an artist like Brad Holland as a masterful renderer—even though his work is quite painterly, and often conceptually abstract.”