Fresh Ideas: Annual Premier Exhibition: A brief history
Research by:
Lisa Chittenden, President
Denise Holguin, 1st VP
Valerie Corwin, VAL member
Editor:
Tore Bellis
As we gear up for an exciting Fresh Ideas 2025 juried exhibition, we thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane. Information was culled from VAL archives, personal member experiences and the Dallas Morning News archives.
1st Place Fresh Ideas Winners
| Year | Juror | Artist | Artwork |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Amy Werntz | Denise Lindgre | St. Xavier’s Signatures Box |
| 2023 | Bonny Leibowitz | Ariel Bowman | Cuvier |
| 2022 | Terri Thoman | Rebecca J. Jones | Breaks |
| 2021 | John Cook | Nancy Sterling Tyler | Love Old Trucks |
| 2020 | Robertus van der Wage | Barbara Oliver Hartman | Anomaly |
| 2019 | Juliet McCullough | Donald Matheson | Descent From the Cross |
| 2018 | Brenda Wyatt | Mary Carradine | Allegory of the Cave Kryptos |
| 2017 | Christopher Blay | John Koch | Next? (Target Series) |
| 2016 | Sara-Jayne Parsons | A. Eilene Carver | Chevalde Calvalia |
| 2015 | Diane reador Dorn | Joyce Landry | – |
| 2014 | Diane Walker Gladney | Jordan Grimes | Why Not Apples |
| 2013 | Anne Royer | Irma Murray | America’s National Parks |
| 2012 | Bill Barber | Dan Lattimore | – |
| 2011 | – | – | – |
Our researchers found Dallas Morning News articles announcing Fresh Ideas 2006 as a juried exhibition at 701 S. Stemmons. The juror was Danette Dufilho. The First Place Winner of that exhibition was Connie Nicholson, for her piece: Magpie at Thompson Glacier, Alaska.
Further sleuthing led to a Dallas Morning News article announcing Fresh Ideas 2000, located at 105-A W. Main Street.
From 2011 to the present, Fresh Ideas has been an Annual Premier Juried Exhibition at the Lewisville Grand Theater. In 2016, we expanded our reach and the opportunities for artists by putting the exhibition on CaFÉ. It is at this point that we also began permitting artists 18 years and older residing in the state of Texas to submit artworks for consideration. Not only do we receive submissions from the DFW metroplex but also as far as San Antonio, Houston, Austin and San Angelo, to name a few. We love the opportunity to meet artists from all over the state of Texas!
If you’ve had the opportunity to visit the Lewisville Grand Theater, you’ll understand why we receive so many submissions for this exhibition. The Main Gallery is a beautiful 2,400 sq. ft. space with exquisite lighting, crisp white walls and access to pedestals for small 3-dimensionsal artworks. Having artwork accepted into this juried exhibition is a milestone achievement for artists.
Additionally, the prizes awarded in this exhibition are quite noteworthy.
The First-Place winner receives $1000 PLUS a solo exhibition the following year. Previous first place winners have benefited from this opportunity not only with more exposure for their artwork but also artwork sales and a boost in their career as artists.
The 2025 Fresh Ideas Awards include:
- 1st Place – $1,000 and a solo show in summer of the following year at the Lewisville Grand Theater.
- 2nd Place – $500
- 3rd Place – $250
- Six Honorable Mentions @ $100 each
- People’s Choice Award – $100
Whether you are a supporter of the arts or an artist – we encourage you to mark your calendar to join us for Fresh Ideas 2025 at the Lewisville Grand Theater. Your presence will become part of Fresh Ideas history!
Exhibition Dates: Saturday, August 16 – September 13, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 16, 7 – 9 pm
Lewisville Grand Theater
100 N. Charles St.
Lewisville, TX 75057
For detailed information on how to enter Fresh Ideas, visit the CaFE website.
Submission deadline to enter is July 29, 11:59 PM MOUNTAIN TIME.