"The 1,300 artworks submitted covered a wide range of media, styles, and abilities," says Ravenal. "There were accomplished senior artists, emerging talents, and probably some Sunday hobbyists. There was painting, sculpture, installation art, video, drawing, photography, crafts, and things that defy categorization. I accepted around one-fifth of the applicants and, for the most part, chose one work from each. I was looking for quality, regardless of the type or approach of the work, thus the selection is eclectic. What ties it together is that each of these works was vital enough to make me, and I think others, be excited to see them in person."

Between January 1 and March 18, 2012, nearly 450 applicants submitted artworks for consideration. To be eligible, artists had to be 18 or older and currently residing either within the State of Delaware or within 100 miles of the Museum. Click here to see the complete list of all 97 exhibiting artists.

John B. Ravenal is the Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Prior to that, Ravenal was Associate Curator of 20th-century art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In Philadelphia he worked with artists Sherrie Levine, Lawrence Weiner, and Rirkrit Tiravanija on commissioned projects and curated a retrospective of paintings and drawings by Sidney Goodman. Since joining the VMFA in 1998, Ravenal's exhibitions have included Vanitas: Meditations on Life and Death in Contemporary Art; Robert Lazzarini's first solo museum exhibition; and an exhibition of the work of Virginia-based photographer, Sally Mann. Ravenal earned his MA and MPhil in Art History from Columbia University.

Centennial Juried Exhibition Preview Party 

Friday, October 19 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

This exciting opening party features juror John B. Ravenal, Curator Margaret Winslow, and dozens of the artists selected to be a part of the Centennial Juried Exhibition. Hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. $20 Members, $35 Non-Members. Register at delart.org or call 302.351.8506.

Centennial Juried Exhibition Artist Talks 

Saturdays, October 20, November 10, & December 1 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Join Margaret Winslow, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, and nine Centennial Juried Exhibition artists as they explore artistic trends and themes found throughout the exhibition. Free with Museum admission.

• October 20: The Figure with artists Lisa Bartolozzi, Yikui Gu, and William Kendzierski
• November 10: Nature with artists Dennis Beach, Brent Crothers, and Bruce Garrity
• December 1: Everyday Objects with artists Delainey Barclay, Dan Schimmel, and Sabina Tichindeleanu

Regional Concepts: Centennial Juried Exhibition Artist Workshop Series 

Sundays, October 21, November 4, & November 11 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Explore new and traditional drawing and painting concepts with Centennial Juried Exhibition artists Philip Koch, Troy Richards, and Moe Brooker. In addition to presentations by the artists, each workshop, will introduce participants to new techniques and philosophies. $50 Members, $80 Non-Members. Register at delart.org.

The Delaware Art Museum, located at 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806, is open Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday noon - 4:00 p.m. Admission fees are charged as follows: Adults (19 - 59) $12, Seniors (60+) $10, Students (with valid ID) $6, Youth (7 - 18) $6, and Children (6 and under) free. Admission to the Museum is free to all visitors on Sundays. The admission fee is waived thanks to generous support from Jessie Ball duPont Fund. For more information, call 302.571.9590 or 866.232.3714 (toll free), or visit the website at delart.org

Founded in 1912, the Delaware Art Museum is best known for its large collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art, works by Wilmington-native Howard Pyle and fellow American illustrators, and urban landscapes by John Sloan and his circle. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor Copeland Sculpture G