Through photrealistic depiction of the figure, often in the context of raw industrial settings, Geirrod Van Dyke's paintings explore themes of sexuality, modernity and the act of creation. The visceral nature of his paintings exposes the frailty of life and the inherent need to endure. Van Dyke was nominated by A Street Gallery.






Sarah Frieberg of Petaluma recently received a BFA from Sonoma State University in Printmaking and Sculpture. She has exhibited her artwork locally at A Street Gallery and SonomaState University, as well as Viking Union Gallery in Washington. Frieberg also collaborated on "Urban Apple Orchard" for Sonoma County Museum's 2006 exhibition "Hybrid Fields." Nominated by Sonoma State University.






Julie Cavaz graduated from the University of San Francisco Academy of Art College with a BFA in Painting followed by an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She later served as an adjunct faculty member at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, and has exhibited her artwork throughout the Bay Area at venues such as Tinhorn Public Works, Gallery Lux. and the diRosa Preserve.

Cavaz is the designer and co-owner of Bacchus Glass in Sonoma, a hand-blown glass lighting studio, which she founded with her husband Frank. Nominated by Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.

The Emerging Visual Artist program comprises two panels. The first is a screening panel which hones down the number of submissions to ensure a workable process for the final panel of judges who choose the ultimate awardees. The Preview Panel are as follows: