Upcoming Exhibiting Artists
| Bainbridge Annual Fine Arts Show Closes with Awards
The Jericho Arts Council's Annual Fine Arts Show ended on May 8th with a closing reception. This year's show featured 100 works by 54 artists, and was on display in Bainbridge's Town Hall Theater and Gallery for one wonderful week. “For one week”, said organizers for the show, “we had a treasure here in the heart of Bainbridge.” Again, the quality of the work was incredible. Over $1,000 in award money was distributed to winning artists in four categories. Three special awards, Best of Show, People's Choice, and the Tennant Award, were also presented. Judges for this year's show were Dan Tennant of Cazenovia, and Monica Acee of Clinton. Guilford resident Daniel Harrington received the Best of Show award for his work, “Bright Midnight.” Harrington gave a little background information about the painting, done in gouache watercolor. “The farm depicted in "Bright Midnight" is on a road that's about a mile long. It was once one of five farms operating on this road and each of those farms had a large barn at its center. Today this is the only one still standing. The fact that these old barns are disappearing is partly why I painted "Bright Midnight." When I see an old barn I think about the history it holds. I think about the hard work that went into it, the lives that passed through it, and the things that it provided in return. My dad and my grandfather were farmers. My dad often talked about growing up on the farm and he always reminisced about how things were back then. When I do a barn painting I am paying tribute to the farmers and their families by showing the character and toughness that remains.” This painting also won this year's People's Choice Award, tabulated from the votes cast all week long by visitors of the show. The Tennant Award, introduced in 2008 in honor of long-time Bainbridge resident and art teacher Daniel Tennant, was given to William Grausgruber of Windsor, NY, for his realistic acrylic painting, “Rusty Roofs.” Grausgruber, retired from a 30 year career as an art teacher in the Windsor Central School district, paints contemporary acrylic landscapes as well as historical works of turn-of-the-century Windsor, NY, Susquehanna, PA, and their connection with the railroads. He has won numerous awards for his acrylic and watercolor paintings. His work is represented in private collections, as well as the permanent collections of the Binghamton Savings Bank, Security Mutual Life Insurance Co., and the Broome County Governmental Plaza. “Leafage”, an oil painting by Rick Marchant of Norwich, was the judges' choice for first place in the oil and acrylic painting category. Says Marchant, “I had a subject I had been considering for a couple of years, but thought it might be beyond my ability. But this show demands a best effort, and taking on the painting of “Leafage” would certainly help my confidence. Three and a half months later I completed the painting. That's a great deal of time for a painting, but I was motivated by the show. I feel that this is the biggest reason to participate. It pushes the artist to be thoroughly involved in art.” Second Place in the Oil and Acrylic category went to “Sweet Dreams”, an oil painting by Scott Higby of Afton. Third Place went to “Rusting Away” by William Grausgruber, and Honorable Mention was awarded to “In the Hills” by Vestal artist Marian Simpson. First Place in the Watercolor and Gouache category was awarded to “Green Door”, a watercolor by Richard Price. Price said that this painting “is one of a collection of paintings that I refer to as my Textures Series, tightly focused on a limited area of a building or object. The variations of color in the old green paint, the impromptu repairs and the bare spot at the handle worn away by rough gloves fascinate me. The paintings record the beautiful character taken on by years of exposure to time and weather, like surrogate portraits of the people and places I’ve known all my life.” Richard Price lives and works in Hancock, NY and is president of the North East Watercolor Society (northeastws.com) and signature member of the Central New York Watercolor Society. His paintings have appeared in regional and national art exhibitions and are in collections in the US, Japan and Canada. Second Place in the Watercolor and Gouache category went to “Zipper Trouble”, a watercolor by Delhi artist Celia Clark. Third Place was awarded to Carol Ann Henderson-Genung for her watercolor, “Three Kings”. Henderson-Genung lives in New Berlin. Honorable Mention was awarded to “Early Spring – Canyon de Chelly”, another beautiful watercolor by Celia Clark. The judges chose “Penelope”, a scratchboard by Beth Ann Lubert, as the First Place winner in the Drawing, Graphics and Mixed Media category. This was the first time that Lubert, a Johnson City resident, had entered a show, and she said she was thrilled to have her work chosen for recognition. “I was extremely excited by the honor. I work mainly in pen & ink and have recently started working in scratchboard. My greatest inspirations are my own animals and most of my subjects are from the animal kingdom. I am proud to belong to a wonderful group of artists on the forums of WetCanvas.com and I credit this on-line group of artists for pushing me to become a better artist and for encouraging me to enter my work. I am a life-long resident of Broome County and I work at Binghamton University. I also produce pet portraits in various mediums (pastel, pen &ink and now scratchboard) anyone interested in having a portrait of their pet can contact me at artmuttstudio@yahoo.com.” Second Place in the Drawing, Graphics and Mixed Media category was awared to “Red Gate Farm”, a colored pencil drawing by Richard Marchant of Norwich. Rick commented that this drawing is “an attempt to illustrate that beautiful, lethargic look that cows offer.” Third Place honors in this category went to “Chenango Heirlooms”, a digitally enhanced piece by Bainbridge artist William Kokoni. “Owl”, a pen and ink drawing by Beth Ann Lubert, won Honorable Mention. Terry Ryan of Deposit won First Place in the Photography category with a photograph entitled, “Clark's Pond”. Ryan has enjoyed photographing nature and wildlife for 25 years. He tells us, “The picture of Clark's Pond is an example of infrared black and white photography. I like the effect of this film, which records light past the wavelength of visible red light. I like the contrast and the grain it gives when pushed. I think the ruggedness of this pond works well with this kind of film.” Second Place in the Photography category was awarded to “Eggs N Bowl”, by Oneonta photographer Carol Saggese. “How Deep is a Rock?” by Amy Nordberg of Bainbridge won Third Place. Honorable Mention went to “Rust Bucket”, by John Rehak of Binghamton. The Jericho Arts Council would like to congratulate the award winners, and thank all of the entrants to this year's show. We also want to thank the many visitors who came to see the art show. For more information about the art show and how to enter next year's show, visit www.jerichoarts.com or call Lynn Thomas, 607 895-6581. Be sure to stop by the gallery, enjoy the show and cast your ballot for your favorite work of art. |