By Lucinda Breeding / Arts & Entertainment Editor / Denton Record Chronicle

The North Texas Area Art League hopes major changes in its annual members exhibit will lead to growth in its membership and prestige.

Ingrid Scobie, the executive director of the art league, said three major changes to the annual exhibit should encourage more artists to join the league and build the group’s reputation among artists and art supporters.

This year, nonmembers can join the league upon entering the show, Ms. Scobie said. Until now, artists could only enter the exhibit if they had joined the league on or before the end of its fiscal year, May 31.

"This gives artists the opportunity to be part of a group," she said. "I couldn’t survive in this town without other artists to talk to and work with. It’s really beneficial."

Students can join for $10. Individuals can join for $20 and families can join for $25.

Once they join and enter, the participants get to see their work put before a prestigious juror. This year, Cidnee Patrick, owner and curator of the Cidnee Patrick Gallery in Dallas (formerly the Edith Baker Gallery), will select the show.

"We hope that it will have a twofold benefit," Ms. Scobie said. "We hope she’ll assemble a beautiful show, and we hope it will also acquaint her with the talent in the area and Denton."

Ms. Patrick will also perform a rare service for the artists. She will provide a juror’s critique.

League member and painter Deanna Wood, the exhibit chairwoman, said she pitched the critique to the board.

"There was a show in Ardmore [Oklahoma] that did a similar thing. When you picked up your piece you got a juror’s critique. I thought it was a helpful way to get some information from the juror. I know I’m always hesitant to approach a juror at an opening reception," Ms. Wood said.

Ms. Patrick said this will be her first time to offer a critique, and she said she hopes it will take a question-and-answer format.

"I thought it was a great idea and a chance to give some feedback," she said. "I’d like it to be something where the artists will really get a lot out of it."

Ms. Patrick said she always seeks out originality, technique, ability and execution as she selects a show. She considers the exhibit a chance to find new talent.

"I’m always looking for experimental things, new media and then there is that certain thing that is difficult to describe, that thing that catches your eye. To me, that has a lot to do with personal expression," she said. "I’m always shopping for new names and fresh work."

Finally, the league is putting more emphasis on the show’s awards. There are more than $1,000 in cash prizes and merchandise, Ms. Scobie said. This year’s best of show painting will be given the $250 Littie Grooms Award, named for the late league volunteer and painter Littie Grooms. Another $850 will be distributed in awards, Ms. Scobie said. Many of the cash prizes come from local businesses and arts supporters, she said.

The member’s show is meant primarily to showcase the talent of the league members. However, the event is also part of the league’s push to increase its presence in Denton. Ms. Scobie said the league is hoping to get the word out that it is open for longtime artists and those who just enrolled in their first art class.

"I was always sort of intimidated by the league," she said. "I thought you had to be at a certain level to be part of it."

That has never been the case, Ms. Scobie said. Award-winning artists have long rubbed shoulders with first-time artists. In fact, non-artists are welcome, too, she said. Most league activities are aimed at artists: monthly demonstrations with accomplished visiting artists, critique groups, ongoing workshops and two annual exhibits.

There is also room for community side involvement. The league hosts a yearly student art contest and exhibit for area high schools. The league also hopes to enrich its educational outreach by recruiting more art educators, Ms. Scobie said.

"We also want to continue to urge students to get involved," she said. "Because I’ve been spending so much time at [University of North Texas] this spring, I thought it was interesting to learn that UNT students are astounded ... that the [Center for the Visual Arts] exists. They could benefit from getting into the league. It’s a good training ground. It’s professional experience to learn to hang a show and to get experience with a juror," she said.

LUCINDA BREEDING can be reached by calling 940-566-6877

How to enter

To enter the exhibit and join NTAAL, submit artwork from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Center for the Visual Arts, 400 E. Hickory St.

Entry fees are $20 for up to two pieces. To get a prospectus, visit http://www.ntaal.org or call exhibit chairwoman Deanna Wood at 940-320-5102 or league president Jo Williams at 940-383-1092. Categories are paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, textiles, graphics, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and metalworking.