Chestertown RiverArts’ 2014 Paint the Town event was a huge success with 47 artists from around the region registering for the event.
On Saturday evening, after three days of painting in and around Chestertown, participating artists at RiverArts’ Wet Paint show and sale awarded David Diaz the award for Best Body of Work and Ray Ewing the award for the Best Painting.
On Sunday morning, painters participated in a Quick Draw Competition, judged by noted plein air artist Lee Boynton. Winners were Ray Ewing for Best in Show and Bill Wright for Second Best in Show. Honorable Mentions went to JoEllen Murphy, David Diaz and Janice Kirsh.
David Diaz, winner of the Best Body of Work
Following the awards, Boynton said, “I felt the moody atmosphere of those who won seemed to stand out amongst the crowd, and that really goes beyond the realism of the scene and invokes an emotion, and that’s what I was looking for.”
The People’s Choice Award, voted by the folks in Fountain Park on Sunday, went to Diane Laird.
Artist Bill Wright has participated in four Paint the Town events in Chestertown. “This is my fourth year painting in this event,” he said, “and I’m always impressed with how well run it is.” He added, “I try not to paint the same scene twice and have driven widely this year, looking for new spots. Kent County is very paintable.”
Paint the Town chairs Melinda Carl and Lani Seikaly expressed their gratitude for all those who helped make the 2014 event such a success. Paint the Town plays an important role in helping RiverArts fulfill its mission of engaging our community in the creation, appreciation, and support of the arts through education, events and exhibitions. Those who were not able to attend Saturday evening’s wet paint show and sale are invited to A Second Look Exhibition, which will be on display in the RiverArts Studio Gallery until May 17. RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106 (in the arcade) in Chestertown.
Ray Ewing with his painting that won the best in show at the Wet Paint Show and Sale.
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