The Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, California, opens its annual juried exhibition “Farms & Fields” in the Lobby Gallery, featuring 52 works by 37 regional artists selected from over 150 submissions. Juror Susan Stephenson, a landscape painter and Stanislaus State professor, chose pieces across media including painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and fabric arts, all celebrating agriculture. Awards totaling $1,100 were given, with Rhett Regina Owings winning Best of Show for her gouache “Farm Near Tracy.” The exhibition runs through July 25, with a free public reception on May 7 as part of the downtown Turlock art walk.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the role of local art institutions in fostering community engagement and supporting regional artists. By focusing on agriculture—a central theme for California’s Central Valley—the show connects visual art to the region’s cultural and economic identity, while providing a platform for emerging and established artists from 18 communities. The Carnegie Arts Center’s annual “Farms & Fields” show strengthens local arts infrastructure and reinforces the value of juried exhibitions in elevating diverse artistic voices.