September 30 – October 22 , 2003
Juror's Overall Comments on the Show:

It was an extreme delight to view over 350 works of art for the Newburyport Art Association’s Annual Member’s Fall Juried Show. Overall the works were at a very high level of quality which made the judging process extremely difficult.

I chose to weigh each work individually, upon its own merit, rather than be predisposed toward one particular theme, style, or type of work. Due to space limitations I had to omit of many pieces of good art work from the show. Less than half of the work originally submitted is exhibited.

There is a productive and healthy competition that exists among and between the member artists, which in turn produces extremely better artists. Consequently, the 2003 Annual Member’s Fall Juried Show exhibits the wide bravura of its membership. The works exhibited allow us to view each artist’s diligent and painstaking devotion to the craftsmanship of making art in a variety of media. The prize winners were chosen for their outstanding ability to create imagery that pushes their media to an extremely high level of competence and creativity.

Sincerely,
Dorine Miles Gross, MFA

Click on thumbnail for larger view.

Mary Alice Arakelian Memorial Prize for Best of Show
Darlene Furbush Ouellett
Portsmouth, NH
“Mary in From the Sun”
Oil
Juror’s comments: This small painting is a jewel. The perfect use of harmonious color and composition coupled with quick sure brush strokes jettison our gaze around the entire work. Every element within the painting is perfectly executed.

H. Patterson Hale, Jr. Memorial Prize for Excellence
Katrina Hart
Hamilton, MA
“Island Emerging From Fog”
Pastel on Paper
Juror's comment: The vigorous hand of the artist created a vision where the island struggles in a tug of war with nature, slipping back and forth in space. The energy of each hue toned mark mesmerizes the viewer. We are transformed into her world, feeling the damp fog and seeing the island flicker from view.

Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Prize for General Excellence in Painting
Dennis Poirier
Kittery, ME
“Lane’s Cove”
Oil
Juror's comment: Poirier’s bravura painting speaks to the mood that he has created for us to partake. His pallet of hues, applied with a variety of marks, create a cove where we strangely feel both familiar and unacquainted. The voice of his work draws us deeply into this private place.

Laura Coombs Hills Award for General Excellence in Water-based Media
Charles Shurcliff
Ipswich, MA
“Tidal Marsh #1”
Watercolor
Juror's comment: Shurcleff’s approach to creating imagery is one based on his thorough knowledge of the medium. He instinctively knows the properties of his surface, tools and the proper amount of water and pigment, to quickly create calligraphic like strokes to convey his imagery. The ocher grass shines and glistens in one felt swoop before our eyes. His work conveys the energy and knowledge base that come from much diligence and delights the eye.

Newburyport Area Industrial Development Charitable Foundation (NAID) Award for General Excellence in Fine Crafts
Gary Rathmell
Newton, Ma
“Vessel”
Juror's comment: This creatively designed functional vessel has beautiful sculptural qualities. The artist departs from pure function and constructs a formation into the adjacent space. This movement of form coupled with the soothing green color was the result of a conscious act by Rathmell to create a work that is simultaneously melodic and relaxing.

Newburyport Bank Award for General Excellence in Printmaking
Marc Cote
Newton Upper Falls, MA
“Shepherd and Serpent
Intaglio
Juror's comment: Cote has transferred beautifully crafted imagery from his plate on to the paper. His use of tone left on the plate evokes the spirit of Rembrandt’s toned prints. The wonderful and varied use of line and tone combines to create a strong image that stays in your memory.

Newburyport Art Supplies and Framing Award for Best Use of Media
Mary Buergin
New Boston, NH
“Sunday Afternoon Ride”
Pastel
Buergin’s pastel marks dance across the paper. She superbly handles a stick of pigment. There is a wonderful conveyance of mood with her use of color which transports the viewer along with her for that Sunday Afternoon Ride.

Honorable Mention
Karen Clarke
Newburyport, MA
“Abstract #2”

Honorable Mention
Heidi Jackson
Chelmsford, MA
“Fall Cranberry Bog

Honorable Mention
Debra Corbett
Melrose, MA
“Winter Glow”

Honorable Mention
Suzanne Brailey
Gloucester, MA
“Sketching at the Met”

Honorable Mention
Lindley Briggs
Newburyport, MA
“Winged Lady in the Waves”

Honorable Mention
Susan Spellman
Newburyport, MA
“Movement Within”

Honorable Mention
Mary Tuttle
Salem, MA
“ The Marsh”

Honorable Mention
Paul Norwood
Amesbury, MA
“Three Martinis”

Honorable Mention
Candy Way
Newbury, MA
“New Beginnings”


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