It was a “cruel” task, but art museum director Jan Laurens Siesling selected a three-dimensional work by Vicksburg artist Janet Akers as best in show for the Vicksburg Art Association’s 27th Mississippi Artists Exhibition.

A reception at the Constitution Firehouse Gallery Saturday opened the annual fall event.

Siesling, of the University of Southern Mississippi, said awarding ribbons was a challenge. “Everyone of these artworks here deserved an honorable mention, a third place, a second place and a first place,” Siesling said to the audience as he explained his choices.

Siesling, who mentioned his enjoyment of Vicksburg’s historic “feel” during his first trip to the River City, said it took him nearly the entirety of Saturday to make his decisions. An art historian and writer for nearly 40 years, Siesling said this was his first time serving as an art judge.

“Judging art is not an easy task,” said Sielsing, a native of Amsterdam. “How do you compare technique with emotion and so on? I always look for sincerity in artwork, but how do you judge sincerity?”

Aside from Siesling’s difficulties in judging the 145 works submitted, others said the show was a success.

“We really had a lot of great works submitted this year, and we’ve really had a good turnout here tonight,” said Randy Jolly, chairman of the exhibition. Jolly is an art teacher at Warren Central High School, Hinds Community College and Mississippi College.

Also pleased with the exhibition was Gwin Robertson, a resident of Ridgeland who said she has been a member of the Vicksburg Art Association for many years and had been attending their exhibitions for just as long.

“I go to a lot of art shows all over, but the works here are as good as anywhere,” she said. “I always enjoy coming to the exhibitions in Vicksburg.”

The artworks will remain on display in the gallery through Wednesday.

Founded in 1961, the Vicksburg Art Association meets from September through May on the second Tuesday of each month. An art-related program or speaker is usually featured. Throughout the year, workshops in varied art mediums are held and competitive exhibitions of works by regional artists are hosted. There is a spring show for VAA members only. The fall show is open to artists statewide.

The Constitution Firehouse Gallery, originally called the Old Constitution Engine House, has been the Vicksburg Art Association’s headquarters since 1970. Built in 1870, the building has been designated as a Mississippi Landmark by the Department of Archives and History and is believed to be the most intact Victorian fire station in the state.

The winners

Best in Show Janet Akers

Acrylic

First Place Pam Kinsey

Second Place Jean Blue

Third Place Rosalind Roy

Honorable Mention Merv Freeman

Honorable Mention Tina Pepper Bradford

Computer Graphics

First Place Billy Bradford

Drawing

First Place Pam Kinsey

Honorable Mention Carolyn Switzer

Honorable Mention Patsy Kirkwood

Fiber

First Place Elizabeth Thweatt

Honorable Mention Nancy Mitchell

Mixed Media

First Place Martha Ferris

Second Place Ruth Reese

Third Place Lesley Silver

Honorable Mention Martha Andre

Oil

First Place Ann Seale

Honorable Mention Joyce Grey

Honorable Mention Marion Baldwin

Photo Color

First Place Ron Alexander

Second Place Nicole Randazzo

Photo Mono

First Place Shu Chang

Second Place Euphus Ruth

Print

Honorable Mention Leslie Horton

Honorable Mention Wanda Hurt Warren

Three Dimensional

First Place Ednita Prentiss

Second Place Linda Jackson

Third Place Brenda Neumann

Honorable Mention Wanda Hurt Warren

Watercolor

First Place James Smithhart

Second Place Jeanna Jinks

Third Place Bobby Walters

Honorable Mention Glynn Fought

Honorable Mention Dave Montgomery

Honorable Mention Leslie Horton

Honorable Mention B.J. Crawford