​Joe Fig is an artist and the author of the acclaimed Inside the Painter's Studio and Inside the Artist’s Studio. He has been a Guest Lecture and Visiting Artist at over twenty-five Institutions and is the Head of Fine Arts/ Visual Studies at Ringling College of Art and Design. Joe earned his BFA and MFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts, New York. His work can be found in numerous museums and leading private collections including the Parrish Museum, Norton Museum, New Museum and the Fogg Museum. He is represented by Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York. ​

Juror's Statement I am honored to have been chosen juror for the Five Points Gallery 2017 Biennial Juried Exhibition. In a few short years I watched as Five Points has grown to become the premier arts center in northwest Connecticut if not the region. It has grown from a small corner gallery to an expansive and beautiful exhibition space as well as artist incubator and hangout, the monthly artist talks have brought, dialogue and discourse. It is a place to gather to share ideas and explore creativity in all forms. I'd like to thank Judy McElhone and her staff, especially Noel Croce and Karl Goulet for all their hard work and effort.

As juror this was no easy task. I'd like to thank all the artists that submitted over nine hundred fifty art works for review. The works ranged greatly in size and scale, material and medium, content and context. The task was daunting and exhausting to say the least. It was very difficult to narrow down the field and when I got to one hundred twenty I thought I was done. As space constraints became apparent, I eventually had to cut that number in half, an even more daunting task. For the artists that were not selected, I apologize; please do not be discouraged, the numbers were just too much. For those included in the 2017 Five Points Gallery Biennial I can only say congratulations. I wish I could be there and celebrate with you, but unfortunately I can't. I raise a (long distance) glass to you and sincerely wish you all the best.