Our invited judge for the December 2025 Creativity exhibit was Wendy Sherman.
Wendy is an experienced curator, arts manager, and graphic artist with a long history of supporting and organizing visual art exhibitions. She previously managed sp[a]ce gallery in Pasadena and the Gregorio Escalante Gallery in Los Angeles’s Chinatown Arts District.
Since 2014, Wendy has curated exhibitions throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, including the traveling exhibition Hearsay: Artists Reveal Urban Legends, which featured work by 37 artists. She also designed the exhibition catalog for this show.
In addition to her curatorial work, Wendy has served on several arts and community boards, including the Los Angeles River and Business Association, the curatorial board of the Grand Central Art Center, and the Board of Governors for The Recording Academy. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from CalArts and her Master of Fine Arts from CSU Fullerton.
The Judged Creativity exhibit was on the walls at Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley from mid December, 2025 to mid January 2026.
Our seasonal judged shows are open to the public and judged by an invited professional artist or instructor and they provide a fantastic glimpse into what our local creators have been focused on.
A total of Eighteen (18) entries were received that came in from Six (6) participants. Please pass along the word for upcoming judged exhibits! More participation increases variety. We are challenging one another to seek out new scenes. We are making note of new and renewed photographic styles. Participation in these judged shows hones our skills as we learn from one another.
The entries were judged together as a single category with first, second, third, honorable mention and best of show awards given out. Moneys received during intake go entirely toward prizes and material fees.
The Judge
Our invited judge for the December 2025 Creativity exhibit was Wendy Sherman.
Wendy is an experienced curator, arts manager, and graphic artist with a long history of supporting and organizing visual art exhibitions. She previously managed sp[a]ce gallery in Pasadena and the Gregorio Escalante Gallery in Los Angeles’s Chinatown Arts District.
Since 2014, Wendy has curated exhibitions throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, including the traveling exhibition Hearsay: Artists Reveal Urban Legends, which featured work by 37 artists. She also designed the exhibition catalog for this show.
In addition to her curatorial work, Wendy has served on several arts and community boards, including the Los Angeles River and Business Association, the curatorial board of the Grand Central Art Center, and the Board of Governors for The Recording Academy. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from CalArts and her Master of Fine Arts from CSU Fullerton.
First-place
"Desert Life"
Raini Armstrong
Second-place
"Roussue Leaves"
Victoria Sebanz
Third-place
"Big Morongo Canyon Preserve"
Krista Wargo
Honorable Mention
"Finding Peace"
Donna Webb
Honorable Mention
"Desert Earth Sky"
Linda Chollar
Honorable Mention
"Dance of the Night"
Linda Chollar
Honorable Mention
"Sunrise Explosion"
Raini Armstrong
Best of Show
"Summer Embrace"
Raini Armstrong
Thanks go to the participating creators that shared their work with us. To Rainbow Stew and all visitors that make these shows possible. And congratulations to the creators that placed!
If you find yourself out and about, make sure to stop by Rainbow Stew and enjoy the Judged show. Our exhibits are displayed for one month before we transition into the next show, so be sure to visit Rainbow Stew regularly to see what Chaparral Artists are up to!
And remember creators, we all want to take advantage of this great space because it sees a constant stream of traffic throughout the week. Chaparral Artists see sales through this venue, so do not pass up the opportunity to hang your art with us when you can during these shows.
Stay unique, find ways to flourish, be the amazing person you are, and continue being YOU!