Artists and art lovers gathered in the RiverArts galleries Saturday, June 4 for the Fine Arts Exhibit Artists’ Talk and Awards Ceremony. Curator and RiverArts board member Raven Bishop, Juror Marcy Dunn Ramsey and Judge Michael Bell, all artists in their own right, spoke to the audience and assisted with presenting awards.
Ramsey, whose award-winning work focuses on “kayak-view” marshes and wetlands,
Discussed her criteria for admission to the show, and emphasized the importance of an artist finding his or her focus and concentrating on making it “pop.” Judge Michael Bell
urged artists to keep the creative process flowing.
“Best of Show,” presented by Lisa Raffeto, in memory of her mother, Elizabeth Dixon Purnell, longtime Chestertown Arts League member, was awarded to Breon Gilleran for her interactive piece, entitled “Leeuenhoeks’ Dream.” Breon also won Excellence in 3D for her sculpture, “Singularity.” Karen Klinedinst received Excellence, 2D for her IPhonography “Blue Bay.” The People’s Choice award, sponsored by Cassinelli Distributing, was presented to David Terrar for his painting, “February on the Marsh”; the work also received the Excellence Open prize. Anne Charles presented Martin Ali the Eastern Shore Life award (in honor of her father, Frederick Keer, for Ali’s photograph, “The Maryland Dove.” Charles also presented the Libby Keer Memorial Award for Best Watercolor to Christine O’Neill for “Race Over.”
Merit Awards were as follows: Painting – Cindy Fletcher Holden, “Big Broadcast”; Drawing – Deborah Maklowski, “Blackbird”; Photography – Beverly Smith, “Double Dutch”; Mixed Media – Marti Hawkins, “Concealment”; New Media/Open- Cheryl Schlenker, “Red Bike”; and Sculpture – Randolph Estabrook, Blue Bowl #4.”
The show will be on exhibit through the month of June. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 am – 4pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. On First Fridays the gallery is open until 8pm. For more information, please visit www.ChestertownRiverArts.org or call 410 778 6300. RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD. 21620.
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