There was a huge turnout of family, friends and art lovers, for the opening reception and awards ceremony for the 23rd annual Juried Student Exhibition of the Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, with over 250 people attending. The event took place on Sunday, June 9th with the awards presented by School Director, Anne Connell. "This is always such an exciting show for the School of Art, and we look forward to it every year. It's a wonderful opportunity for everyone to share in recognizing the hard work and achievement of each of the award winners as well as for the general public to view the fine art and creative energy that is generated by the student body. The exhibit is open to all students of the School and for all ages, providing an opportunity for youth to adult to exhibit their work." The Student Exhibition is on view through July 20th in the Silvermine Galleries. This year's juror was Darby Cardonsky, Interim Coordinator, MFA Program in Painting and Illustration, Western Connecticut State University.
The Best in Show was awarded to Pam Ackley from New Canaan, CT for her oil on canvas titled "Tracy." In the Youth Category, ages 12 to 17, the Best in Show went to Alexandra Fry (age 17) of Pound Ridge, NY for her black & white photograph entitled "Nostalgia" And for the 5 to 11 age group, 10-year-old Jack Johnson of New Canaan won Best in Show for his African ink titled "Double Leaves."
Adult first prizes were awarded as follows: Ceramics – Wendy Hower from New Canaan for "Fresh Water;" Collage/Mixed Media – Amy Schott from Wilton for "From Here to There;" Jewelry – Margaret Brady from New Canaan for "Hand-Made Mokume Necklace & Earrings;" Painting – Charisse Litchman from New Canaan for "Untitled;" Photography – Lois Dreyer from Stamford for "Untitled #2;" Printmaking – Marcia Korotkin from Larchmont, NY for "Invery 1;" Sculpture – Marion Cohen from Norwalk for "Bowl in One;" Silversmithing – Liz McGarry from Darien for "Sterling Silver Spoons;" Sterling Awards presented to – Wynn Jackson from Greenwich for "Amanda," Ann Tetelman from Salem, NY for "Woodland Marsh," Julie Jansen from Darien for "Untitled," Tegan Conlon from Redding for "April Morning," and Ferne Kawahara from Ridgefield for "Glacial."
Adult Honorable mentions were given to: Leslee Asch from Old Greenwich for her ceramics "Turquoise with Gold;" Coke Anne Wilcox from Westport for her ceramics "Tasseled Vase;" Eiko Essoyan from Westport for her Jewelry "Ring One;" Claudia Renfrom from Pound Ridge, NY for her collage/mixed media "Landscape;" Kathryn Poch from Stamford for her painting "River Jazz;" Lisa Burns from Wilton for her painting "Wendall," Gina Givone from Katonah, NY for her photography "Birth Light;" Ellen Lazarus from Larchmont, NY for her printmaking "Homage to MK;" and B. A. D'Alessandro from White Plains, NY for her sculpture "Hold Steady," Bobbi Liepolt from Westport for her silversmithing "Studies – Copper & Turquoise," Marion Schneider from Larchmont, NY for her pastel "Traffic Jam," Jane Fry from Pound Ridge, NY for her photography "Leaf," Evan Hall from Bradford for his sculpture "Bearings," and Michelle Brewster from Ridgefield for her watercolor "Flowing through the Woods."
In the Youth group, ages 12 to 17, First Prizes were awarded in the following categories: Ceramics – Gabrielle Baker from Westport for "Belly Button Ball;" Drawing – Ginamarie Tiani from New Canaan for "Bella Donna;" Mixed Media – Bryn Pennetti from New Canaan for "Untitled Portrait;" Painting – Catherine Massa from Redding for "The Man;" Photography – Megan Caulfield from Darien for "The Pigeon Keepers;" Sculpture- Maggie Ettinger from New Canaan for "Frog;" and Jennifer Gordon from Ridgefield for "Love." Cynthia Mullins Award – Austen Ellis from Westport for his stoneware clay "Blue Bowl;" Honorable Mentions were given to: Olivia Donner from New Canaan for her drawing "Charcoal Figure Study;" Grayson Kennedy from New Canaan for his painting "Tsa Tsa in Red;" Alida Schefers from Wilton for her photography "Shooting;" Violet McHale from Greenwich for her ceramics "Blue Lava Dish;" Chauncey Dewey from Darien for his photography "Untitled;" and Drew Pohle from New Canaan for his sculpture "Bird."
Ceramics – Benjamin Cohen from Westport for "Purple Mist;" Collage – Waverly Walters from New Canaan for "In the Sea;" Drawing – Diane Hoffman from Westport for "Self-Portrait;" Mixed Media – Beckett Walters from New Canaan for "The Green Sea;" Painting – Greta Hoffmeister from Darien for "Irsisis;" Sculpture – Nicole Peru from Stamford for "Ballet;" Printmaking – Saira Munshani from Easton for "Feathers;" Cynthia Mullins Award – Charlotte Bridwell from Redding for her oil on canvas "Landscape #2."
Honorable Mentions went to Matthew Kasper from Monroe for drawing "Self-Portrait;" Maks Mackenna from Wilton for mixed media "The Golden Shark;" Waverly Waters from New Canaan for Painting "Self Portrait;" Lauren Heller from Stamford for Painting "Panda;" and Ann Pakhayev from New Canaan for collage "Rambunctious Feline"
Jerry's Artarama awards were given to Laura Beckering from Old Greenwich for her terra cotta/granite "6 Man" and to Debbie Wood from Stamford for her oil, "Self Portrait."
Juror, Darby Cardonsky, Interim Coordinator of the MFA Program in Painting and Illustration at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU), was a founding member of the MFA advisory board from 2000 to 2009, and has served as curator of The Gallery at Higgins Hall at WCSU since its 2007 opening. As professor of a gallery studies course, she involves the students in the curatorial duties of the exhibitions at WCSU. Prior to her work at WCSU, Ms. Cardonsky was co-owner and director of the Bachelier Cardonsky Gallery in Kent, CT. From 1988 to 2009, her gallery was known for its comprehensive exhibitions of emerging artists and twentieth century masters. She received an MA degree from Hunter College, and while living in NYC, worked with Lee Krasner for nine years and with the Pollock Krasner Foundation in its first year of formation. She also worked with Forum Gallery and with Spencer A. Samuels & Company, which specialized in sixteenth to twentieth century master works.
Silvermine Arts Center is an award-winning, community based non-profit organization that fosters, promotes, and encourages artistic and educational endeavors. The Silvermine School of Art offers courses for all ages and levels of ability. Summer classes and Summer Art Camp programs begin July 8. The Summer Semester offers a variety of classes and workshops that fit the busiest of schedules, providing excellent options with which to hone your skills or try something new. Registration for Summer Art Camp is on-going. An Open House for the Fall Semester will be held on Sunday, September 8th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for the Fall Semester begins August 15 and courses start on September 16. For more information please call 203-966-9668 ext. 2 or visit the website at www.silvermineart.org.