Mary Alice Arakelian Memorial Award for Best of Show: $100
Artist: Judy Metcalfe
Town: Rockport
Title: New Year
Media: Watercolor

New Year is the result of a meticulous handling of paint and accurate record of light and shadow. The small figurine, the crystal flutes, cat and potted plant highlight the artist’s ability to work with the challenging medium of watercolor. The windowpanes not only suggest the outdoors but also capture the poinsettia’s reflection. Natural light enters through the window while the windowpanes’ shadows are captured on the table. This extraordinary study of light presents a quiet, straightforward image, while its title and realistic objects suggest an optimistic outlook toward the New Year.


Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Award for Oil: $75
Artist: Lee Rowan
Town: W. Newbury
Title: Pears on Antique Shelf
Media: oil

While Pears on Antique Shelf at first looks like a common still-life, it is the handling of the subject and paint that elevates this painting from its genre. The pears, some on their sides and others upright, create a balanced composition. The soft lime greens pears seem perfect and edible, yet their brown spots and bruises portray their defects. Similarly, the chipped paint of antique shelf reveals the natural wood underneath. This painting is both a reflection on aging and quiet moments as it is a still-life exercise.


Newburyport Five Cent Savings Bank Award for Acrylic: $75
Artist: Madelene P. Hopkins
Town: Moody, ME
Title: Rockland Harbor
Media: acrylic

In Rockland Harbor, the thick application of paint forms a scene that is simultaneously composed and energetic. The layered paint creates both a realistic and abstract portrayal of a harbor. The warm blues, sea foam greens and pinks suggest an emotional response to a particular place in time.


Newburyport Area Industrial Development Fund Award for Watercolor: $75
Artist: Marny Williams
Town: Rockport
Title: The Dory
Media: watercolor

Absent of human presence, the empty weathered dory is both peaceful and lonely. The broad brushstrokes and layering of colors suggests its many journeys at sea, and unlike the upside down dories behind it, perhaps this dory will be used in the near future. Here, we create a narrative about the resting dory, its owners and its future.


Strem Chemical Award for Pastel:  $75
Artist: Linda Siwak
Town: Topsfiel
dTitle: Sailing School
Media: Pastel

Here, the use of pastels portrays an idyllic scene of children at play with their sailboats. The soft grays and blues against the bright white create a sense of movement and frenzy as one boy runs to the side of a boat. Is he pulling it ashore or pushing his friend off to sea? Sailing School offers a return to an adored pastime and the liveliness of our youth.


Sam Sargent Award for Excellence in Drawing:  $75
Artist: Pete Meehan
Town: Seabrook, NH
Title: Shades of Acadia
Media: pencil

The rocky coast and breaking waves suggests a typical scene on the shore, yet the artist’s handling of the subject exposes its minutiae. The cracks, veins, and surfaces of the rocks are meticulously drawn. It is easy to distinguish between the rippling waves off shore and the foaming waves as they crash upon the rocks. The artist uses a variety of dark and light shadows to present the exactness of nature in Shades of Acadia.


Laura Coombs Hills Award for General Excellence  $50
Artist: Ellen Rittgers
Town: West Newbury
Title: Bass Harbor
Media: oil

In Bass Harbor, the delicate application of oil paint creates a serene atmosphere.The pier is empty and the fishing boats are tied to their moorings. The fishermen are nowhere to be found. While the fog lingers in the harbor, it is unclear if the day is just beginning or has already passed. The canvas’ overall soft brushstrokes creates a peaceful scene of a potentially bustling harbor that is currently only alive with ripples and reflections in the water.


Honorable Mention
Artist: Mary Pyche
Town: Merrimac
Title: The Guardians
Media: Oil






Honorable Mention
Artist: Karen Lynch
Town: Newburyport
Title: Sun Glow
Media: Acrylic


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