The Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern recently opened its new exhibition; A Curiosity of Cabinets. This juried exhibition features 14 imaginative wall cabinets selected from more than 60 entries by jurors Paul Eisenhauer, Executive Director & Curator of the Wharton Esherick Museum, Albert LeCoff, Executive Director of the Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, and Jasper Brinton, noted cabinet maker.

The Wharton Esherick Museum sponsors these annual competitions to encourage creative thinking and the development of original, imaginative forms for everyday objects. The themes are based on the utilitarian objects which Wharton applied his unique sense of design and craftsmanship. This is the 21st year of the competition.

First place this year went to Jay T. Scott (top image) from Olympia, WA with Jellyfish Wall Cabinet; he also was awarded the Members’ Choice Award.

Second place went to Chris Martin from Ames, IA with Volta Canoe and third place was awarded to Amy Forsyth from Bechtelsville, PA with Key Cabinet.

The Horace Hartshaw Award, awarded to a high school student, went to Nicollette Amico from Bethlehem, PA for The Cabinet of Requirement. Their work, along with the other finalists is on display in the Museum’s Visitor Center; many of the pieces are also for sale.

This year’s exhibition is supported by the Salmon Foundation, Mrs. Henry Jordan, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Members of the Wharton Esherick Museum.

The exhibition will run through December 31, 2014 and is included with the Wharton Esherick Studio tour. The Museum is located near Valley Forge National Historical Park. For more information and reservations for tours, call the Wharton Esherick Museum: 610-644-5822 or visit the Museum’s website here.