The Newport Art Museum has announced the winners of the 2017 Newport Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition. One of the Museum’s most anticipated annual events, this exhibition highlights top talent from the region, bringing together an eclectic mix of art sourced from Rhode Island and beyond. Entries are open, calling established and emerging artists alike to submit their work for exhibition and review. The resulting mix of art on display is always surprising and diverse, showcasing the varied interests and focus of our region’s passionate artists.
This year marks the 30th Newport Annual Members’ Juried Exhibition. The Newport Art Museum was privileged to have Sarah Kennel, Byrne Family Curator of Photographs at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, as juror. Dr. Kennel selected 102 artworks from 345 submissions to be featured in the exhibition.
Newport Art Museum Executive Director Norah Diedrich and Curator Francine Weiss announced the 13 award winners at an Opening Reception Friday, February 3.
Newport, RI artist Jemison Faust won the “Best-In-Show Award.” Other prize winners include Susan Fossati (1st in Drawing), Christine Landgraf (1st in Mixed Media), Howard Rotblat-Walker (1st in Photography), Frank Gasbarro (1st in Painting), Glenn Gardiner (1st in Three-Dimensional), and Ed Ferszt (1st in Watercolor). A student prize was added to the Newport Annual for the first time, and was awarded to Alistair Liptak. A full list of prize winners, including honorable mentions, is available below or at NewportArtMuseum.org.
Of common themes in the submissions, Curator Francine Weiss noted that “Abstraction is alive and well, but representational painting is still being explored in depth. In areas like mixed media and sculpture, many of the artists in this exhibition used materials and processes in innovative ways to push the boundaries of traditional media.”
Visitors to the Newport Art Museum will decide the 2017 “People’s Choice Award”. Visitors may vote for their favorite piece, once per visit, through May 18, 2017. The Newport Annual will run through May 21, 2017. The Newport Art Museum is located at 76 Bellevue Avenue. For more information visit NewportArtMuseum.org or call 401-848-8200.
AT-A-GLANCE
2017 Newport Annual Award Winners
BEST IN SHOW | Sponsored by Elizabeth Ann Kahane and Providence Picture Frame
Jemison Faust, What Lies Beneath #18, Mixed Media
1ST DRAWING/PRINTS/PASTELS | Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Susan Fossati, Firebird, Finding the Fire Within, Pastel
Honorable Mention | Whitney Overocker, American Rat Pack, Pencil on paper
1ST MIXED MEDIA | Sponsored by Cathy and Arthur Bert, Bert Gallery
Christine Landgraf, Feathers, Acrylic with chicken feathers and chicken wire
Honorable Mention | Doug Stearns, Untitled, Mixed Media
1ST PHOTOGRAPHY | Sponsored by Jessica Hagen Fine Art + Design
Howard Rotblat-Walker, Primaries #3, Digital photograph/archival print
Honorable Mention | Jodie Mim Goodnough, The Yellow Wallpaper, Archival inkjet print
1ST PAINTING | Sponsored by Atelier Newport
Frank Gasbarro, Looking, Oil on canvas
Honorable Mention | Emily Sorlien, Spring/Summer Diptych, Oil on maple
1ST THREE-DIMENSIONAL | Sponsored by Arnold Art
Glenn Gardiner, Switch – 2017 Gender Identity Crisis, Masonite, PVC, cedar and autobody paint
Honorable Mention | Michael Watson, Untitled, Wood
1ST WATERCOLOR | Sponsored by Sandra Craig
Edmund Ferszt, The Fourth of 4 Elements: Water Melting, Watercolor
Student Prize | Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Alistair Liptak, Food for Thought, Watercolor and paper