The SCNY Certificate of Merit Award was conferred upon Mark McDermott’s painting, “Old School,” after it successfully passed through the rigorous jurying process for the “SCNY Fall Open Painting, Sculpture & Graphics” show. As an “Open” exhibition, this competition invites artists from beyond the Salmagundi Club’s membership to submit their work, making the initial acceptance highly competitive. After selection for the exhibition, the painting was judged alongside other high-quality entries, and the award signifies that the jury recognized “Old School” as a work of exceptional artistic merit and technical excellence. Receiving a certificate from the Salmagundi Club, one of New York City’s oldest and most respected art institutions, is considered a significant honor that elevates the artist’s standing and confirms the quality of their work within the prestigious field of contemporary realism.
