Arts & Entertainment Community

PAL’s National Fine Art Show takes flight at new location

Posted on November 18th, 2025 By: Carolyn Bick

Under glittering strings of lights and the wide, spreading wings of airplanes from days of yore at the Vintage Aero Museum, the Peninsula Art League (PAL) unveiled its National Fine Art Show at an opening reception the night of Nov. 14.

The show — which has been running for 23 years — had been called the Open Juried Show and used to take place at the Harbor History Museum. The name change is meant to better reflect the kind of art that would be juried and displayed. The change of location, as PAL President Robin Avni told attendees during the awards ceremony, was a stroke of luck.

Exhibiting artists and other attendees view and discuss artwork at the Peninsula Art League’s National Fine Art Show opening reception on Nov. 14, 2025. The Vintage Aero Museum is hosting this year’s show. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick

Aero Museum

Museum owners Bill Juranich and Bob and Marilyn Juranich, and Brandon Baimbridge, the museum’s executive director, toured the recently opened PenMet Parks Recreation Center. PAL has an art wall there to host member and community shows.

“They saw the wall, and they said, ‘We want something like that. … Who do we talk to?’” Avni said. “Well, it turned out we were looking for a place for this show, for our fall show. And serendipity happened.”

Juror Cable Griffith judged this year’s show, selecting just 93 pieces from more than 300 submissions.

“It was a lot. But it was a joy, honestly, to go through and see so much different work … and definitely not an easy decision to try to get it down to what would be an exhibitable amount of work for a particular space,” Griffith said. “It’s really exciting to make the transition from experiencing work on a visual screen, where you don’t really have quite an idea of how big or small something is. The dimensions are there, but it’s still a little bit abstract, until you really see the thing on the wall. So it’s been especially a joy to come in and see all of the work in place.”

Artist G.G. Silverman holds back tears, as she accepts a special award meant to recognize work that speaks to an artist’s relationship with the environment, during the Peninsula Art League’s National Fine Art Show opening reception on Nov. 14, 2025. The Vintage Aero Museum is hosting this year’s show. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick

Awardees

The following works won awards. PAL will announce the People’s Choice Award on Dec. 5.

Best in Show

Brandy Agun, By The Shop

“By The Shop,” by artist Brandy Agun. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick

First Place 2D

Shannon Meadows, Canopy

“Canopy,” by artist Shannon Meadows. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick

First Place Photography

Ralph Maratta, Hood Canal

“Hood Canal,” by artist Ralph Maratta. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick

First Place, 3D

G.G. Silverman, Artifacts From A Future Disaster: Lost Child I

Lynda Baker Creative Arts Award

Richard Wood, Albee’s Gloves

Wilderness and Wildlife in Art Award

G.G. Silverman, Artifacts From A Future Disaster: Lost Child I

Ebb Tide Gallery Award

Molly Omann, They Call The Wind Mariah

Honorable Mention: Hector Arellano, Dancing Tree; Jack Snowden, Octopus And Porcupine; Joan Sowada, Music To My Ears

Juror’s Mention

Siavash Golkar, New York

The National Fine Art Show runs from Nov. 15 through Dec. 3 at the Gig Harbor Vintage Aero Museum, 1108 26th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children.