Stunning Summer Juried Exhibition at Falmouth Art Center

By Marilyn Rowland, - The ’s 2012 Summer Juried Exhibition opened on July 6 with a reception and awards ceremony for the artists. The show may be seen in the center’s main gallery through July 29.

Award-winning plein air painter Rosalie Nadeau served as juror for the show, selecting 68 works of art by 53 artists out of 189 submissions. It was a difficult selection process, Ms. Nadeau said, given the high quality of the submissions.

“The level of integrity, honest effort, truthful observation, and talent illustrated in the 189 submissions greatly impressed me,” she said.

Ms. Nadeau judged the paintings and sculptures on elements such as composition, depth, color mixing, edge control, interval variety, and the presence of a focal point.

A Cape Cod artist for more than 40 years, Ms. Nadeau’s own paintings are influenced by the representational and impressionist traditions. She teaches classes in both pastel and oil painting, conducting workshops both on-location and in the studio.

Best in Show went to Cynthia Brunk of Mashpee for, “Sophie,” a graphite portrait of a young girl.

“It was captivating, with its dramatic expression of light and shadow upon the young girl’s hair and face,” said Ms. Nadeau. “Her gaze fully embraces the viewer. Brunk’s execution of her highly evolved understanding of the subtlest value relationships is what makes this painting stand out.” 

Best Landscape was awarded to “Spring in Beebe Woods by Betty Jameson of West Falmouth.

“The painting successfully breaks the rule to keep the greatest contrast and brightest colors out of the distance,” said Ms. Nadeau. “Her fresh and skillfully placed marks, her luminous shadows, and naturalistic color sense brings the viewer into the woods.”

Ms. Nadeau awarded Best Pastel to Susan Sigel of Mashpee for her “Old Silver Surf,” saying “We can hear the crash of the luminous, salty wet waves breaking in this painting,” as she complimented Ms. Sigel’s command of the medium.

Best Oil went to Marshfield resident Joreen Benbeneck for “Christmas Cove,” which Ms. Nadeau described as truly embracing the plein air principles of painting. 

“Her wet brush marks portray the water reflections truthfully. Its aerial perspective creates convincing depth. The painting is light filled and appears completely spontaneous as it captures a moment in time.”

For her Juror’s Choice, Ms. Nadeau chose a small painting of a small boy examining a treasure in the sand: “Sam, Just Waiting” by Linda Walker of East Falmouth.

“I was struck by the intimacy of this light-filled painting,” said Ms. Nadeau, “and how it perfectly captures the appeal of Cape Cod beaches for families.

Best Sculpture went to Susan Varga of Falmouth for “The Mosque at Cordova,” an enormous, intricately patterned bowl.

“The bowl marries decoration and fine art,” said Ms. Nadeau of the bowl, which features intricately intertwined images in tonal black-and-white and color.

Adele Huestis from West Falmouth was awarded Best Water Media for her “beautifully organized” painting, “Cougar Material.” Ms. Nadeau complimented Ms. Huestis for her fine use and handling of the medium, saying that her work exhibits the confidence of an experienced painter.

“Huestis has successfully grouped a complicated equestrian subject for strength and presence. It is so realistic that we want to place bets on the horses,” said Ms. Nadeau.

The Best Figurative award was given to Rehoboth resident Michelle Porier-Mozzone’s painting, “Lydia.” Describing the painting as a “wonderful multimedia marriage of wet and dry pastel,” Ms. Nadeau said that Ms. Porier-Mozzone’s abstraction of background elements and use of negative space contributes to the beauty of the painting.

East Falmouth resident Evan Charney’s woodcut, “Provincetown Garden,” earned him Best Graphic. Ms. Nadeau described the print as “charmingly colorful and quaint without being too sweet,” saying that it demonstrates the skill required to print so many color changes so cleanly from cut wood.

Abby Lammers received Best Acrylic for “Green Juice Glass II,” a big, bold, and colorful still life of containers with artist pencils. Best Abstract was given to Alice Nicholson Galick for her woodcut “Summer Poppies” in vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Best Still Life was awarded to Linda Collins for “Cod Fish,” a lively looking fish on a platter, in oil. Doris Epstein received Honorable Mention Acrylic for her abstract landscape in acrylic, “Shadows.” Susan Parmenter’s oil painting, “At Odiorne Point,” a view of the ocean over waving beach grasses, was recognized as Best Seascape.

“Whimsical boats go every which way in ‘Red Wing,’ a charming harbor scene” by  Mashpee resident Larry Cron, which was awarded Honorable Mention Water Media. Another water-themed painting, “Carving Through the Blue,” an acrylic  by James Musto was given Honorable Mention Seascape. His tremendous wave, in multiple shades of blues, evokes the image of a whale.

Sigrid Hecker’s festive street scene in oil, “Falmouth at Night,” earned Honorable Mention Landscape, and Steven Hahn’s resin head, “Amara,” was given Honorable Mention Sculpture. Anne Tcherepnin’s oil painting, “New York Vendor,” won Honorable Mention Figurative. The painting shows the street vendor from the back, arranging his items for sale.

Priscilla Levesque’s casein painting, “Basket from the Souk,” won her an Honorable Mention Still Life, and Linda Young’s “Summer View,” a serene view of dunes and sea, earned Honorable Mention Pastel.

Ms. Nadeau’s oil painting, “Early Summer Peonies,” is also on display; its white, pink, and rose-colored flowers arranged in a vase create a romantic mood.

“This is a stunning collection of paintings,” said Ms. Nadeau, “well worth a visit to the Art Center.”

The Falmouth Art Center is at 137 Gifford Street and is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM; Saturday, 9 AM to 1 PM; and Sunday, 1 PM and 4 PM. For more information, visit www.falmouthart.org or call 508-540-3304.