At our various exhibitions each year, independent judges issue awards to exhibiting WSA Member Artists to recognize special achievement. Scroll through this gallery to view the array of award-winning art.
“Heatwave”
June 2026
Natick Morse Institute Library Upper Galleries
Judge: Sturdy Waterman
(Owner Page Waterman Gallery and Framing)
First Place
Wilted
Acrylic Gouache
Andrea Rex
“The harmonious color palette contributes to the overall feeling of stillness that is inherent to a hot day. The well thought out composition is strong, compelling and balanced. Overall an extremely successful painting!”
Second Place
Midsummer Chaos
Gouache
Ginit Marten
“The artist’s skilled use of this delicate and sensitive medium beautifully captures the intricacies and fragile details of a fascinating corner of the natural world, offering a cool respite from the heat of summer.”
Third Place
Red and White
Oil
Janet Montecalvo
“This bold composition is further strengthened by the artists masterful handling of the medium, and the whimsical summer theme draws the viewer into the world of summer nostalgia.”
Honorable Mentions
“Inspired By”
March 2026
Wellesley Free Library – Wakelin Room
Judge: Katherine Downey Miller
First Place
Self Portrait
Oil
Johan Ellefsen
“This self portrait is very well done, and has a compelling alert gaze from the eyes”
Second Place
Sisters
Oil
Pilar Figueira
“A very clever composition!”
Third Place
Jax
Acrylic
John Sherffius
“Although two dimensional, the rendering which is very well done gives it a three dimensional look. A wonderful contemporary painting.”
Honorable Mentions
Annual Wellesley Library Show
November 2025
Judge: Patrick McCay
Wakelin Room Wellesley Free Library
From Patrick McCay…
“A painting does not have to be understood to be enjoyed, it needs to be received”
– Matisse
Patrick McCay Judge’s Statement
“Firstly, all of the WSA members deserve appropriate accolades for the highly commendable creative continuity in participating in the exhibition.
In art, we are generally dealing with an ability to represent experiences (real or imagined), in a lucid form through personal choice, style and expressive engagement. Issues of skill and technique, command of medium, quality of resolution, content, conceptual engagement, originality and presentation can all play attendant roles in the effectiveness of any work of art. We can write and agree about art, we can fight and disagree about art; ultimately though, it is my belief that we are about communication and response. If we are not making authentic connections, we have likely not successfully realized our initial artistic objective.
Practice and improving skills, looking at work that we often visually dismiss will together provide vital catalysts to enhance artistic growth, knowledge and understanding!
In terms of my WSA award choices, I would ask that you might briefly suspend your own opinion and voice, in the temporary acceptance of someone else’s. We all learn by learning to look, looking more deeply and looking much more regularly and ‘searching’ beyond the all too obvious. Always remembering of course that our personal creative joy and artistic pleasure is the motive and quintessential mindset that supplements our being, purpose and shared community aesthetic consequence.”
First Place
Shelter and Flight
Colored Pencil
Deborah Friedman
Second Place
Composition 7
Acrylic
Judith Schneider
Third Place
Transported
Oil
Lori Mehta
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Best Watercolor
Waves Breaking
Watercolor
Cynthia Demir
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
Sea Grass
Pastel
Sheila Davis
Honorable Mentions
Anything Goes
Weston Public Library
October 2025
Judge: Nancy Colella
First Place
Fenway on Jersey
Oil
Janet Montecalvo
“This work stands out for its masterful draftsmanship and paint application, offering viewers a vivid and authentic sense of time and place. Each brushstroke skillfully captures the essence of Fenway Park on a sunny summer afternoon, making the scene come alive with warmth and atmosphere.”
Second Place
Spring Layers
Acrylic
Catherine Gruetzke-Blais
“This piece is notable for its excellent use of perspective. It invites the viewer to look through the foreground into the inner world of the garden. The bright colors and loose brushstrokes are compelling, drawing the observer into the layered landscape.”
Third Place
Afternoon Tea
Collage
Joan Onofrey
“The artist’s clever use of materials results in a presentation that is both fun and pleasing to the eye. Even the frame enhances the overall effect, contributing to the piece’s charm and appeal.”
Honorable Mentions
Across the Field
Watercolor
Joanna Dole
“This has a strong sense of place, achieved through the artist’s use of strong values. The composition conveys a distinct atmosphere and setting. Beautiful brushwork! “
Walking Home
Oil
Pilar Figueira
“The tonal palette complements the subject matter very well. The reddish-brown backlight around the figures offers an excellent portrayal of that specific moment in time.”
Shifting Light
Oil
Leah Morris
“This painting is recognized for its simplicity and expressiveness. The limited palette and intentionally unfinished spaces lend the piece a sense of mystery, inviting viewers to engage with their own interpretations.”
Landscape,Vermont
Oil
Andrea Rex
“The limited color palette is immediately noticeable, but the simplicity of the composition and the subtle shifts in value work together to enhance the piece’s overall serenity.”
Splash
Natick Morse Institute Library
June 2025
Judge: Kim Morin Weineck
About judging this show:
“As an opinionated judge this show gave me a true challenge. The body of work is strong, professional and highly representational. I easily could have awarded a handful more ribbons and wish I could have a dialogue with so many artists. Be sure to thank Nancy Treves for her patience with me as I deliberated and walked the show again and again. It’s a beautiful show! Congratulations to all the artists”
First Place
Galapagos Galaxy
Watercolor
Carol Bershad
“In this triptych the artist gives the viewer a broad spectrum of the Galapagos and of the watercolor medium. The progression from top to bottom showcase an ability to depict representationally to beautiful abstraction. Each part could stand alone and be strong which warrants a prize.”
Second Place
Floating
Oil
Pilar Figueira
“Realism meets distortion in this beautifully rendered piece. Many qualities attracted me to it. There’s a clever design at the edges which doesn’t feel artificial but instead smart and creative. The marks, color notes even the frame make this an award worthy work.”
Third Place
Nor’easter
Acrylic
Dayle Bodnar
“Often I first look at a show from a distance and notice which works demand attention. This subtle painting grabbed me for its nuanced close value range. Edges are a perfect blend of hard and soft, with soft being the star of the show. Where exactly does the horizon meet the sky? It’s lost in the waves and mist just perfectly.”
Honorable Mentions
Who Want’s to Go Fishing?
Acrylic
Maria Babb
“The graphic almost silk screened method of creating this painting makes it stand out and be noticed. The red demands attention too as these rustic boats hit the strong lines of the dock. Value is the not so silent partner showcasing pure black and white to round out a super strong visual exclamation in a painting.”
Aquinnah Sunset
Pastel
Martha Marson
“Up close and at a distance this piece offers viewers natural wonders. From afar we notice the pictorial space of the clouds, kissed by the last of the sunlight. Colors are beautifully selected and marks subtle and still strong! Up close it’s the depth in the darks that complete the work. I am in the dunes experiencing the light and it’s wonderful.”
Bouquet Deconstructed
Oil
Anna Papok
“There is a depth and dimension to these works which demands attention from afar and close up. The composition of the four is considered and adept. Attention to detail here deserves respect. The chrysanthemum pieces are absolute stand outs!”
Three Dories in Kennebunkport
Acrylic
Mai Mai Pietrowski
“When I first started out I wrongly thought painting like this came easy, but I was so wrong. The simplicity of design, mark and palette is deceptively not simple. Clever primary color choices, raw edges, and loose construction give way to a painting with depth, interest and a fuschia sky. On your next plein air outing try to paint in this way and see how much thought and design it takes. It can/will be a freeing experience.”
Gratitude
Wellesley Free Library
April 2025
Judge: Nancy Deveno
More about Nancy Deveno…
Born in Nuremberg, Germany, to American parents, imagery influenced her early work. Prior to settling in Massachusetts, Nancy resided in Colorado for 10 years. More than any other place, however, Italy has influenced her work exploring color theory in oil paintings. In Italy during a sabbatical year, Nancy held a one-woman show in Bassano del Grappa, where she lived with her husband, Rich Pagano. She and her husband have travelled back to Italy many times since, visiting museums and the Venice Biennale. Most recent influences include the work of Anselm Kiefer. Her works reside in the city collections of Bassano del Grappa and Worcester, Massachusetts.
Nancy Payne Memorial Award for Best Watercolor
Unconditional
Watercolor | 6×9
Kate Heald
Judge’s Comment: “There is a fair amount of angst in our world today although it fades away while looking at this endearing and comforting rendering of a beloved pet”
First Place
Snacker’s Delight
Acrylic | 24×36
Maria Babb
Judge’s Comment: “This painting is so shocking that one can’t move away from it.
The colors and familiar text make us stop and look.”
Second Place
Glow
Acrylic | 8×8
Hannah Nersasian
Judge’s comment: “This painting shows extensive detail and includes small nuances with a cat resting on toy trains along with faint text. The green area behind the cat draws us right back to the glow of the cat and the warm spot in the room.
Third Place
The Wisdom of the Trees and Their Grace
Acrylic| 9×12
Patricia Nemeth
Judge’s comment:”Tree movement and spiky scratch marks reflect energy. The artist has created three dimensional imagery in describing what might happen. The color cast has a sense of lightness reminding us of Spring.”
Annual Library Show
Wellesley Free Library November 2024
Judge: Julie Beck
More about Julie Beck…
Julie Beck was born and raised in Western Upstate New York. From 1998 to 2002, she attended Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where she graduated valedictorian with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. From 2002 to 2011, she worked primarily as a freelance designer but continued to draw and paint as a self-taught artist. In 2011, a move to Massachusetts introduced her to the Academy of Realist Art, Boston which catapulted her abilities to a new level. Since then, Julie has become both an instructor at, as well as the Assistant Director of ARA Boston.
Julie is currently working out of her personal studio at ARA Boston, where she is developing a body of work that explores the concepts of nostalgia, relationships, and identity. She has a wide range of painting subjects including still life paintings and animal/figurative works. Her work can be found in private collections throughout the US and internationally.
First Place
Block Island Storm
Acrylic | 20×16
John Sherffius
“This is a painting feels completely immersive. everything included in the scene supports the underlying mood. The waves, the birds, the power lines, and the blowing grass all set the scene for a dramatic stormy landscape. I feel like I know exactly how the ocean smells and the power of the wind in my hair just by looking at it. landscape paintings can easily fall into repetitive pretty scenes or the expected, and “Block Island Storm” gives a fresh take on what a landscape can be.”
Second Place
Homage to Jamie
Oil | 12×9
Janet Montecalvo
“At first glance, this painting is small but mighty. It is a visual feast of color. It can be challenging to manage chroma levels at this degree but the values do their job and create believable depth and form. Non-traditional composition, the use of the oil paint in different ways and the variety of textures kept me coming back to look at it repeatedly. While the painting holds it own regardless of the title, it develops additional layers of meaning and interest.”
Third Place
Serene
Oil | 20×24
Pilar Figueira
“This portrait balances between pop art and realism. The simplified palette and expressive brushwork in the background contrast with the excellent use of draftsmanship and values within the portrait. This causes it to appear dimensional and flat at the same time. A fun juxtaposition. The moments and small shapes where the intense red chroma pop through give a sense of lightheartedness. The small moments of blue and red together create a lovely vibration.”
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
Float Together
Watercolor | 20×24
Naomi Wilsey
“I am always impressed with artists who can work with watercolors. This painting shows an absolute control of the medium with a definite language. The intense chroma and dramatic contrast grab your attention from across the room. I really enjoy the composition and think the choice of colors create an engaging visual experience.”
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
Canadaway Creek, NY
Oil | 16×20
Johan Ellefsen
“I really enjoy the exciting use of color, contrast and the textural quality of oil paint in this gorgeous landscape painting. The use of color throughout the piece is both exciting and yet not overwhelming. The masses of blues and grays, counterbalancing the oranges and reds within the trees pair beautifully. excellent use of oil paint to its full capacity. The ability to simplify and create the illusion of bare trees in front of the sky is done with an expert hand. “
Honorable Mentions
Cairn Diptych
Colored Pencil | 17×27
Deborah Friedman
“The subtlety and elegance of the rendering is exceptional.”
Mermaid Heart
Oil | 18×24
Sophie Lucas
“Very creative and love the use of the paint.”
“Crystal Waters”
Acrylic with Metal Foil | 24×36
Kristin Conant
“A visual feast of color, texture and reflective elements.”
“It’s a Wild Life”
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary May 2024
Judge: Brian Reddy
More about Brian Reddy…
Brian Reddy is an artist and educator originally from New York and now living in Dedham, MA. He is a MassArt (BFA Illustration ’07, Teaching Preparation Program ’09) and Framingham State University (M. Ed in Visual Art ’18) alumnus. He currently teaches visual art at Wellesley High School, teaching all levels of drawing & painting and digital art. He also teaches at the MFA in Boston during the summer. Portions of his own work can be viewed at mrbreddy.com(opens in new tab) and on IG@mr.breddy
First Place
Broadmoor Waltz
Mixed Media | 12×18
Kristin Conant
“This piece bursts with abundance of technique, color and texture. The juxtaposition of focus, against blur, complemented by the variety of mark making, emphasize the unique perspective and composition. It’s a work that rewards repeated views and makes us wonder about the process.”
Second Place
Ripples In Time
Acrylic | 20×10
John Sherffius
“This piece elegantly plays with balance and contrast to demand and hold our attention. Every component is equally well-rendered yet unique. Subtle variations in color and excellent use of composition allow for this piece to genuinely and thoroughly describe a single moment in time. “
Third Place
Long Walk Along Aqueduct Trail, Wellesley
Oil | 16×20
Chelsea Sebastian
“A painting that implies so much through confident marks and layers. Varying colors and opacities provide a glimpse of how it was constructed. It has nothing to hide. The underpainting glistening through provides a gentle halo around our guides in the center and is an example of the energy and tranquility the technique conveys. The stylization reminds us of how it feels to take a walk in nature with a loved one. “
Honorable Mentions
Winter No. 1, Wellesley
Oil | 10×8
Charles Bischof
Reflections
Watercolor | 7×9
Katherine Fast
A beautiful example of a variety of watercolor techniques and the harmony that a limited pallet complementary colors can provide.
The Book Club
Torn Paper Collage | 12×12
Joan Onofrey
“Close to Home”
Weston Library February 2024
Judge: Maris Platais
“There were many more paintings worthy of an award and I wish there had been more awards to give. Although, I am a realistic impressionistic painter, as a judge I consider all genres of paintings.”
First Place
“The Commuter”
Oil 40×30
Janet Montecalvo
“Solid Steel. Man vs machine. The strength and drama of this painting is iconic, It evokes the feeling of respect and strength of technology, juxtaposed to the small human figure, “the commuter”. The shadows across the platform suggest speed, where light flashes between buildings and trees. Also the strong, direct colors enhance the excitement of travel. The composition complements this feeling by the strong use of perspective and angular shapes. Technically extremely well rendered.”
Second Place
“The Empty Easel”
Acrylic 30×24
Michael Murphy
“Powerful magnetism and mobility. Takes you to another almost surreal dimension, like an open canvas that begins with an emotion and abstraction. Looking at the rectangle with its many values of grays, layered on top of one another, defined by bold, confident lines makes the painting undulate, pulsate like it has a beating heart. What will emerge?”
Third Place
“Aquarium Rush Hour”
Acrylic 30×48
John Sherffius
“The seemingly random movements of the fish actually have a flow that is directed to the right. The three- dimensional volume of the tank is deftly shown by layering brighter over darker colors. Strong movement is created with the use color which is well thought out, creating a vibration culminating in the lower right hand corner with the yellow fish”
Honorable Mentions
“Welcome to Kennebunkport”
Acrylic 18×24
Maria Babb
“Captures the essence of an iconic coastal New England town that has escaped change.”
“Path to the Pond”
Acrylic 11×14
Dayle Bodnar
“Lives up to its title superbly with a strong composition.
Projects the feeling of cool shade while showing patches of light coming through the trees.”
“To Sit in Radiance “
Acrylic 24×12
Samantha Eio
“There is a feeling of space created by the clouds and land where they converge on the horizon. Each passage has its own dynamic fluidity made by bold and direct brushstrokes.”
“Bathtime”
Oil 24×18
Chelsea Sebastian
“Composition leads the viewer in with the thoughtful use of color and shapes, only to reveal the endearing eyes of a small child. Well done whimsey.”
“Wallride”
Acrylic 36×48
Felicia Tuttle
“Knocks you off your feet and then very aggressively draws you back in. The more you look, the more you don’t know if you are standing in the painting or looking at it.”