10/10/2026
CELEBRATING OUR 2026 SMALL WORKS AWARD WINNERS
We are delighted to recognize the two award recipients of the National Juried Small Works 2026 exhibition, selected by guest juror Yu-Kai Lin, director of KAI LIN ART in Atlanta.
BEST OF SHOW
Denise Sain Burns
TreeHouse
Yu-Kai Lin writes:
“TreeHouse is a wonderful celebration of craft through clay. There is a precision of the outer shell that is juxtaposed against the softness of the internal world.”
He invites us to discover the miniature rooms within the sculpture, from a kitchen filled with familiar objects to an upstairs retreat occupied by a resting lioness.
“Oh what fun it is to be a part of Denise’s internal world of delight! Each story carries its own story, giving the viewer a story of whimsy and wonder.”
He concludes:
“The artist here is truly the child who survived.”
JUROR’S CHOICE
Wade Beals Wade Beals
Nocturne #2, Memory of Still Life
Oil on wood panel
Yu-Kai Lin writes:
“There is an ambiance of warmth and allure of paint in this dynamic documentation of this still life.”
He describes how Wade elevates the humble garlic bulb, shallot, and garlic clove through his sensitive handling of light, shadow, and paint.
“There is an ethereal elegance in this study of essentials, elevated in pigment and in permanence.”
And in his concluding words:
“As the Nocturne (music-of-the-night) title suggests, this work is seductively a visual feast for the soul.”
Congratulations to Denise and Wade, and to all 73 participating artists whose work brings such richness and variety to this exhibition.
Our sincere thanks to Yu-Kai Lin for the care, insight, and generosity he brought to the jurying process.
National Juried Small Works 2026
Winterville Cultural Center Gallery
371 N. Church Street, Winterville, GA
Tuesday–Saturday | 10 AM–2 PM
