It took an afternoon of judging and a whole host of rejected pieces, but local artist Jim Evenson has selected about 40 pieces from all artists statewide to display at the Kenai Fine Arts Center.

Of those selected the mediums are varied, including paintings, photographs, pottery and fabric pieces and woven baskets.

“There were some particularly beautiful pottery works,” he said.

The fine arts center, 816 Cook Ave., will hold a reception Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. and the show will run through March 28.

This year was the first time the center decided to open the show up to artists statewide.

“Most of (the pieces) cam from all over the peninsula,” said Shauna Thornton, board president for the fine arts center.

She said about 75 pieces came in to the center. The show as open only to those who paid a $25 dollar fee to become a member of the center and Thornton said several new memberships came out of effort.

Several artists branched out of their typically displayed mediums, Thornton said.

“This something where someone who is typically a watercolorist or a painter or a potter can try something new,” Thornton said. “One or two of them brought in like three different pieces from three different media. I had no idea that some of these people could do these things, that they were so multitalented.”

Several of the artists will attend the reception and Thornton said usually the events are good for networking with other artists.

Choosing which pieces to display was difficult for Evenson.

“I stayed a slight distance away from all the works, when I judged them so that I couldn’t see the name of the artist on them. I didn’t know who anybody was on any of the pictures that were bought in, I didn’t have any favorites,” he said.

Evenson picked a best of show, first, second, third and honorable mention.

“Most of (the pieces) that made the show were … just beautiful in many ways. It’s hard to put into words sometimes why a picture appeals to you,” he said.

Rashah McChesney can be reached at rashah.mcchesney@peninsulaclarion.com