East Granby Juried Art Show's Opening Night a Huge Success

Lisa Salazar, director of the , took a moment Saturday evening to consider the response to the opening of the 10th annual juried art show that the library is hosting through March 3.

Salazar, who scanned the room packed full of patrons, wore the look of someone who, if it’s possible, was simultaneously relieved, elated and exhausted.

“Considering that we had two days of snow during our drop-off period, it’s absolutely amazing,” Salazar finally said. “We are growing not just in quantity, but in quality.”

Indeed, the first year that the library hosted the show, 56 pieces were on display. This year features 177 works of art, including oils, water colors, multi-media and sculptures from artists from all over New England, ranging in age from four years old to adults.

“Judging by the number of entries and talented efforts of each artist, this is a quality exhibit,” said juror Art Scholtz.

The artists were equally pleased with the turnout of pieces and responses that they got from people who attended the opening on Saturday night.

Simsbury resident Catherine Elliott, an artist with an entry this year, was the show’s first juror 10 years ago.

“I can’t believe that every year it’s steadily grown,” Elliott, whose won best oil and acrylic painting last year, said. “It’s just excellent. We do the show every year and it’s a nice local show with great art.”

“It’s fantastic,” artist Andrew Mullen of Bridgeport added. “It’s worth the trip to come up here for this; the artists all do good work. It’s quite impressive every year.”

North Haven-based folk singer Hannah Fair, singer Jessica Coppola and drummer Mike Bosco added to the atmosphere with an impressive musical performance.

No one in the band is older than 19. But to say that they were good for their ages would be patronizing. They were just plain good.

“It’s very exciting,” Fair, 17, said of the opportunity to play in front of over 100 people at the art show. “I love playing intimate places where people can hear what I’m saying.”

Bosco said that the band usually plays at farmers’ markets in front of a specific type of audience.

“To play in front of all age groups represented is really cool,” he said.

Listed below are the winners of the art show:

Best in Show - Steve Lind, Dawn Mist

Judges Award - Mary Anne Miller, “Pete”

First Place Oil/Acrylic - Deborah Leonard - On the Farmington River

Second Place Oil/Acrylic - Pam Jones, Field of Lupine

First Place Watercolor - Justine Coleman, Out for a Catch

Second Place Watercolor - William Hoey, Evening Puddles

First Place Mixed Media - Sharon Mayock, Wisdom Seeker

Second Place Mixed Media - Melinda Marino Morrisseette, Blue Iris

First Place Pastel/Graphic - Karen Suponski, Shadow Boxes

Second Place Pastel/Graphic - Joseph Burger, Melrose Schoolhouse

Children’s Categories

First Place Under Age 7 - Geoffrey Durante, Hummingbird

Second Place Under Age 7 - Emily Morrosco, Chuck & Friends

First Place Age 7 - 10 - Ethan Hine, Bee Boy

Second Place Age 7 - 10 - Rhiannon Velleman, Light House

First Place Age 11 - 13 - Rebecca McCord, Foxie Loxie

Second Place Age 11 - 13 - Lily Day, Whales

First Place Age 14 - 17 - Jake Seelen, Creepy Trees

Second Place Age 14 - 17 - Emma Lanctot, Ideas