Axis Gallery (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Axis Gallery in Midtown hosted a preview reception for the sixth National Juried Exhibition Thursday. Works of art by over 25 artists will be on display until Aug. 28.

The national competition continues to bring notoriety not only to the artist but to the Axis Gallery and the Sacramento art community.

The exhibition will be judged by Dena Beard, the curatorial assistant at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. She graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with an M.A. in art history, theory and criticism.

Axis Galler (Image by: David Alvarez)

Beard selected 38 pieces of two- and three-dimensional art for the exhibition, collecting work from artists all over the United States. The quality of work is innovative, sometimes humorous, and exhibits a high level of technical accomplishment. Some pieces challenge the limits of medium and genre, like a sculpture made from woven microfilm.

Many of the artists will be at Axis for the artists reception during the Second Saturday Art Walk this weekend. The reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the awards ceremony.

Axis Gallery (Image by: David Alvarez)

Artist Beryl Landau has two pieces in the show. “Roof Level” and “Smoke and Clouds,” both depicting San Francisco, grace one of the walls in the back room. Landau was accompanied by her husband and a couple of Sacramento friends.

Artist Beryl Landau in front of her work (Image by: David Alvarez)

She is unable to attend the Second Saturday reception, but she said that in a way this smaller reception was better suited for her. Her love of art was evident, clearly a passion of hers since she was a child.

Photographer Zach Moser had two pieces on display in the front room, “Right Now and Then, No. 4” and “Right Now and Then, No. 2.” It is said that every picture tells a story, but Moser’s photographs can tell many stories depending on the perspective you take.

Artist Zach Moser in front of his photographs (Image by: David Alvarez)

Moser said a lot of his work is staged and that he has worked with the same people for a while. Moser’s compositions are quite intriguing, as different events seem to be taking place within his photographs.

“I kind of like those (photos), where you kind of describe a narrative with your photographs,” he said.

I marveled at other pieces of art and mingled with other guests, many of whom knew each other. I could not pick a favorite piece, and I would be very interested to see who receives awards, especially the people’s choice.

Axis Gallery is an artist-run space that was started in 1986. Members of this cooperative are equal partners and support the gallery through sales of artwork, labor contribution and monthly dues, allowing the gallery to function without the usual restrictions of commercial galleries. Besides exhibiting the work of Axis members, it displays invitational shows, exhibits by independent curators and the annual juried show.

Axis Gallery (Image by: David Alvarez)

Beard has quite task in selecting award winners. In the end, the Sacramento arts community will be the ultimate winner by hosting the Axis Gallery sixth National Juried Exhibition.