What does winning a First Prize mean?
Musings on Success
Assessing one’s value when you’re an artist living in a capitalist world is challenging to say the least! Since few of us make a living from our craft, determining our worth via financial measures isn’t useful. General guidelines defining success have little relevance to us, so this becomes a private matter that each of us must wrestle with.
The year 2024 began and ended with my winning a First Prize. In a world where we determine our worth in isolation, these wins meant a lot!
In both cases, the jurors were noted professionals. The Keller Prize, based in Denver, Colorado, was juried by Nicholas DuCasse, an international gallerist. The Wynnewood Art Prize was juried by a team headed by Milagros Bello, an international curator based in Miami. Presumably, my work rose to the top of a competitive field and these experts deemed it best of show.
We all have moments when we doubt our importance and relevance. Winning these two prizes was affirmation that I am on the right path, that what I am making is meaningful and that I am not crazy! While a monetary award would be nice, the reassurance is priceless.
Neither prize came with a financial award (but as you will see, my grandson gave me a gold medal to wear), however they both offered social media visibility and external validation.
Although I have been an artist most of my life, I have only had a full time studio practice since 2016, almost 10 years. At a time when many of my peers are leaning into retirement, I am working full tilt in the studio. Clearing the space for art is an ongoing juggling act and for me that means making sacrifices like not going out for lunch, not joining book groups and ferociously protecting my studio schedule.
The truth is that I already felt successful because I have many opportunities to exhibit my environmental art around the world. Although I still cannot cover all the costs of running a team-based studio, I firmly believe that someday I will. The gift of winning two First Prizes in one year is that I am even more sure that I am on the right path. My deep thanks to the curators and jurors who chose my contemporary fiber artwork for these meaningful accolades.
RESOURCES:
Deborah Kruger Website: https://deborahkruger.com
Deborah Kruger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahkrugerstudios/