Each April, RiverArts celebrates our planet with the “Art of Stewardship” exhibit. This juried and judged show includes a broad range of 2 and 3-dimensional work as well as poetry. The exhibit was curated and juried by Alice Ritchie and Beverly Hall Smith, (2D & 3D, and Meredith Davies Hadaway, (poetry).
Internationally renowned contemporary American artist and passionate astronomer Greg Mort returned to judge the 2 and 3D work. Best in Show, 2D was awarded to Kathryn O’Grady for her painting, County Trees, with AD 2017, a sphere created by Joe Dickey from the Wye Oak winning Best in Show for 3D. First Place, 2D was The Run, #3, painting by Deena Ball, and 3D to Laura Ventura for her ceramic piece, Sunset on the Cliffs of Tolchester. Honorable Mention: 2D, Great Blue Heron, Christine Kamon; Benediction, Jennifer McGovern; and Water Moves, Joan Hart. 3D Honorable Mention: 3D, Wooden Turtle, Heidi Wetzel and Return of the Giant, Joe Dickey.
2D: County Trees, Kathryn O’Grady
Sue Ellen Thompson, author of five books of poetry and the editor of The Autumn House Anthology of Contemporary American Poetry, was poetry juror and judge. The Pat Nielsen Poetry Award, and Best in Show, in honor of the late Pat Herold Nielson, founding member of the Chester River Association, accomplished poet and award-winning filmmaker, was given to Russell Reece for his poem, Rowboat. Wendy Ingersoll received First Place for her poem, Drumbeat.
Mort’s family foundation, The Art of Stewardship Project encourages artists and their associated art groups to commit time, talent, or treasure to an environmental organization. This year, a portion of proceeds from sales of the artwork was donated to the Sassafras Environmental Educational Center, an outdoor education facility which works with the regional school system to teach students how to live compatibly with nature.
For more information on upcoming exhibits, classes and RiverArts happenings, visit www.chestertownriverarts.org, or call RiverArts at 410 778 6300.
Chestertown RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106, Chestertown, MD 21620 – (in the breezeway). Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM, and open on First Fridays until 8 PM
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