Juror: Kate Dempsey
Curatorial Fellow
DeCordova Museum

The juror for this exhibit is Kate Dempsey, curatorial fellow at DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park. Her art historical work focuses on modern American art, particularly on collage and correspondence art.  She has her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College and her masters from the University of Texas at Austin.

Juror’s Overall Comments
 
“The majority of works are familiar landscapes, showcasing the beautiful seaside, forests, and meadows of this area.  The works capture all seasons although especially (perhaps nostalgically) the warmer months when the colors and sunshine return.  There are also pondering figures, introspective still-lifes, and the occasional abstraction.  This exhibition is an impressive array of visions and techniques. ”

Kate Dempsey

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Mary Alice Arakelian Memorial Award for Best of Show
Artist: Patricia Doherty
Town: Sterling, MA
Title: "Plum cove -Gloucester"
Media: Oil

"The Melancholy calm of the grey beach is undisturbed by the cry of seagulls in Patricia Doherty's "Plum Cove - Gloucester". Doherty is obviously very familiar with the spot and has carefully observed the changing light and passing clouds. This work is exquisitely painted, judiciously composed and brimming with emotion."


Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Award for Oil/Acrylic
Artist: Mary Del Viscio
Town: Seabrook, NH
Title: "Man Playing Violin"
Media: Oil

"In "Man Playing Violin" strong, intense colors, the hard silhouette of the violin against the simple background, and the expressionist painting style reflect the music of the fiddle player. Mary Del Viscio has obviously listened carefully, capturing the moment as the man closes his eyes, loosing himself in the music."


Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank Award for Watercolor
Artist: Joan Benincasa
Town: North Andover
Title: "Conversation"
Media: Watercolor

"A mcouple engages in friendly conversation in Joan Benincasa's watercolor. The mrelaxed feeling of the scene comes from the body language of the figures, but also from Benincasa's talented use of line which is more light and shadow than hard contour. The variety of colors that makes up the shadows gives them a feeling of warmth and comfort."


Newburyport Area Industrial Development Foundation Award for Photography
Artist: Catherine Davis
Town: Beverly, MA
Title: "Luscious"
Media: Photography

"Luscious" lives up to its name in many ways. Fruit becomes sculpture, displayed dramatically against solid black. The voluptuous forms seem to just barely fit in the image frame. Every hue between yellow and red makes an appearance on the taught flesh and Davis captures the light on the fuzz along the edges of the fruit, creating a tantalizing tactility."


Sam Sargent Award for Excellence in Sculpture/Fine Craft
Artist: Andrea Alukonis
Town: Brookfield, NH
Title: "SW-3"
Media: Wood Sculpture

"Andrea Alukonis seems to massage her semi-abstract figures out of the wood with hardly any evidence of the carving tools used to make the piece. What stands out is the elegant wood grain which Alukonis uses to its full advantage. The piece has a wonderful tactile quality and the negative space between and around the figures is as beautiful as the piece itself."




Laura Coombs Hills Award for Excellence in Mixed Media/Printmaking
Artist: Merry Beninato
Town: North Andover, MA
Title: "Falling"
Media: Collage

"Falling" is a tumultuous collage of found images which would have intrigued the likes of Max Ernst and Salvador Dali. The viewer's eye turns and twists through the image like the acrobatic figure at its center. The repeated circular motif adds to the turning quality as a world of images emerges from the chest at the lover edge of the collage."




Mildred Hartson Award for Excellence in Pastel/Drawing
Artist: Elizabeth Clark
Town: Manchester, MA
Title: "Nasturtiums in Owl Pot"
Media: Pastel

"Elizabeth Clark presents a perfect bouquet of colors in her pastel, "Nasturtiums in Owl Pot". Delicate yet fiery orange flowers jostle against the equally vibrant purple background while the light on the vase and table beautifully reflects the green of the foliage."



Honorable Mention
Artist: Sara Demrow-Dent
Town: W. Newbury, MA
Title: "A thousand Downy Buds"
Media: Acrylic, Charcoal and Ink






Honorable Mention
Artist: Anne Duncan
Town: Exeter, NH
Title: "Sunset Jenness Beach"
Media: Oil




Honorable Mention
Artist: Frances Busse
Town: Acton, MA
Title: "Plum Island Beach House #2"
Media: Acrylic






Honorable Mention
Artist: Kay Bice
Town: Newburyport, MA
Title: "Snow Forest"
Media: Photography



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