Springing Creativity

Springing Creativity by Matt Swanseger Contributed photo Whether we're creating order out of chaos or just embracing it, the arts tend to flourish in times of turbulence. Although that push and pull is always at play in our minds and souls, rarely has the ethical and ideological tug of war outside ourselves seemed so immediate, so omnipresent. That so many of us can find inspiration or even beauty within that maelstrom is a testament to the human spirit indeed. The 98th Annual Spring Show at the Erie Art Museum is a regional showcase of creative magnificence amongst all the madness, featuring 92 pieces by 67 artists across a range of media and disciplines. As always, a juror from outside the region was chosen to curate the exhibit — this year's being American artist, ceramicist, social activist, spoken word poet, and educator Roberto Lugo. Lugo evaluated more than 450 submissions to arrive at his finalists, choosing five of the most exemplary works for a 2021 Juror's Distinction Award. These included: