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.
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 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.”
Annual Library Show
at the Wellesley Free Library November 2023
Judge: Susan Swinand
First Place
“Inspiration”
Oil 30 x 30
Alfred De Angelo
“This painting to me represents the power and joy of creating. The composition and forms enforce that power. Nice handling of paint and color.”
Second Place
“Reflection”
Oil 26 x 26
Linda Zug
“The subtle nuances of color and expressive brushwork recall an authentic and rich experience of nature.”
Third Place
“Coral’s Cathedral”
Watercolor 30 x 22
Evelyn Bernal
“A challenging subject, effectively takes me to the depths.”
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
“Nautica 418”
Watercolor 15 x 22
Sally Meding
“There’s a cool sophistication to this abstract design with its geometry and gestural line. Skilled use of the watercolor medium demonstrated in rich glazes and varied edges.”
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
“Pathways”
Colored Pencil 21 x 20
Deborah Friedman
“There is something hard and heavy, yet loving about the intense study and execution of this solid composition.”
Honorable Mentions
“Colorful Reflection”
Acrylic 40 x 16
Maria Babb
“Bold, gutsy, exuberant and surprisingly well designed.”
“Mountains in Winter”
Watercolor and Ink 13 x 17
Cynthia Demir
“A little powerhouse full of emotion expressing nature’s energy with tremendous courage and freshness”
“Harlequin”
Acrylic Drip and Watercolor 24×18
Nan Rumpf
“Raucous and wild, an encyclopedia of techniques”
“Morning, Amanda’s Kitchen”
Oil 24 x 30
Chelsea Sebastian
“The artist expresses such a charming, warm and cozy space with a unique vision that enhances our experience.”
Spring Into Nature
at the Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary-April/May 2023
Judges: Gillian and John Ross
Gallery Twist – Lexington, MA
First Place
“Night Watch”
Acrylic 8×8
Hannah Nersasian
“This piece is attention-grabbing from the moment one enters the exhibition space and scans the first wall of artwork. Small in scale, but big in impact, the painting is both stunning and exquisite. Showing remarkable mastery of the acrylic medium, the fine detail and the successful execution of hyper-realism displayed by this work… really impresses. The bird has a compelling presence, capturing the real-life experience of an encounter with such a creature. The softness of the feathers contrast strikingly with the sharpness of the eye and beak, and we sense the stillness and intent of the owl on its night watch. I liked the William Morris style background to this piece, which cleverly balanced the leafy, natural environment of the bird with the feeling of an interior, less wild setting, making it a little less intimidating! The image is thoughtfully composed, and brilliantly executed. Kudos!”
Second Place
“Old Growth”
Oil 12×12
Kristin Conant
“The composition of this piece is what particularly struck me – it is an unusual angle from which to view the tree, and the artist’s zoning in on the particularly interesting entanglement of branches draws attention to what she found fascinating about it, and shares generously with us. The fact that the view is backlit also adds to the uniqueness of the painting, and I was particularly drawn to the luscious brushstrokes on the leaves on the left. The impressionist style of the artist’s use of yellow and purple is effective, and so strongly captures the dappled sunlight peeping through, giving warmth and a softness to the gnarly old branches. There is lots here to explore as one’s eye is drawn around. Enjoyable!”
Third Place
“Spring Dreams”
Mixed media oil 10×10
Yolanda Gilibert
“The show wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful abstract piece! This seems to me to be an ‘abstract landscape’. A good abstract painting is difficult to create, and for me a successful one often takes its structure and forms from the natural world. This piece has a strong horizontal linear plane, which gives the painting a ‘landscapy’ feel – and the artist cleverly suggests spring without even a brushstroke of green! The removing of paint and the revealing of what’s below gives texture and interest to the piece, and mimics the magic of winter turning to spring… and one can easily spot the hints of spring florals (maybe purple and orange crocuses?!) as they push away the snow. Delightful.”
Honorable Mentions
“Sunlight On The Marsh”
Acrylic 8×10
Dayle Bodnar
“This is a charming miniature, and it reminded me of my English roots. England and New England have some pastoral landscapes with much in common. For a small piece it cleverly captures a vast, serene view. Economic brushwork is used effectively. Unusually the main interest and detail is in the distance, not the foreground. A small piece with much to savor.”
“Beauty In Darkness”
Acrylic 12×8
Jessica Caruso
“I don’t usually enjoy a heavy, dark image… but this piece has areas with such a lovely feel. And sometimes in life we find that the dark serves to draw attention to the light. Here the tulips are what really deserve honorable mention – they are the stars, and are composed with lighter brushstrokes of silkiness, capturing the moodiness of the floral subject matter. They bring movement and a spontaneous freshness to the composition. Lovely!”
“Grasses”
Watercolor 11×14
Katherine Fast
“This watercolor shows skill in diverse uses of the medium. Areas of soft, looseness contrast with areas of detail and sharpness. This also gives the painting perspective and a depth of field. The watery blurriness really captures the feel of a swathe of moving grasses, while the sharper, dry areas of paint ground the composition. Lovely organic color palette too.”
“Last Year’s Remants”
Colored Pencil 10×9
Deborah Friedman
“This drawing feels like a botanical study – such close attention to detail draws our eye in to really appreciate the delicacy and precision of the subject matter. I enjoy that the feathers chosen are not presented as pristinely perfect and ‘tidy’, which makes the composition more appealing and realistic. Seeing truth and beauty in imperfection is sometimes what life is about.”
All You Need is Love
at the Wellesley Free Library – February 2023
Judge: Andrew Kusmin
More about Andrew Kusmin
Judge’s Comments: “Most important of all, make a statement or tell me a story. The “why” of your painting must emerge. I do believe everyone in this show expressed love”
First Place
“A Little Light Amongst the Darkness”
Oil, 12×16
Michele Clamp
“A simple composition. The singular flower seems peaceful, perhaps melancholy? The mood is enhanced by the flower gently fading into the shadows. From the very dark background to the warm light of the foreground, at all levels the green/yellow reflected from the flower center and stem subtly glow throughout.”
Second Place
“A Very Good Dog”
Acrylic, 18×24
John Sherffius
” From a unique composition, a place and moment we all know emerges. I want to lean in and pat that very smooth, yet soft fur. The dog, perfectly rendered, yearns for his master’s return.”
Third Place
“Poppies”
Oil, 10×20
Dottie Laughlin
“I feel like I am catching only a glimpse of the larger landscape. With grasses and flowers moving with the breeze. I know I could look left or right and view the rest of the field.”
Honorable Mentions
“This Little Light of Mine”
Acrylic, 8×10
Cora Ainge
“The tiny painting is full of life and movement. It captures the individual dance gestures of each girl, yet they are clearly dancing together. Carrying the pink into the foreground and background is just the right move too.
“Isla Loves Bogs”
Watercolor, 18×22
Joanna Dole
“The little girls face drew me right in. She has a protective look as she cuddles her dog. The artist carries her ‘free’ signature stroke though every aspect of the painting.”
“Motherforce”
Oil, 10×8
Margot Hurley
“Her earnest look immediately caught my attention. I am convinced that she has something to “say. The attire helps sets the time and place and the background (so often neglected in portraiture) completes the story. The light and vibrant color, with good value choices do not diminish the subject.”
“Still Life with Pomegranates and Tall Pitcher”
Oil, 10×8
Brian Wallenmeyer
“Subject matter and the harmony in color from grays to black, with various glowing reds throughout draw us to another time. Completed with a frame to match the era and palette we are presented with a unified and complete package.”
Annual Library Show
at the Wellesley Free Library – November 2022
Judge: William Pope
William Pope is the Executive Director of the Zullo Gallery Center for the Arts in Medfield, MA
First Place
“Basic Trio”
Colored Pencil
Deborah Friedman
“Beautiful composition and peaceful quality created by balancing stones, each rendered uniquely with very skillful use of color shading and attention to detail without being coldly realistic”
Second Place
“Grasp the Nettle”
Oil
Lori Mehta
“The flowered imagery on the scarf draws you in, and your eye quickly moves to the arm holding it, as the individual whose face you don’t see walks toward an area in the shadows. Mystery, beauty and courage. A truly captivating piece.”
Third Place
“Hang to Dry”
Watercolor
Yvonne Unger
“Sometimes a piece of art works extremely well because of its simplicity and it captures exactly what it is. So it is with this piece of art. A long vertical plain towel with red stripes, bits of light and shadow against a wood grain wall, aided in its success by the unique shiny acrylic finish over watercolor paints”
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
“Webb Dreaming”
Watercolor
Nan Rumpf
” This painting is a joyous representation of nature, using deep blues and greens, with flashes and dashes and dots of white with highlights in orange and red. Motion and stillness existing in a gorgeous dance of sea, sky and land.”
“Beach Cottage”
Acrylic
Cora Ainge
“I love the quiet cottage surrounded by the vastness of a gray sky, sitting on a marshy grass with the setting sun washing one side in light and the sea a sliver of darkness under the last remnants of daylight with a few quiet breaking waves. A beautiful wondrous natural world”
Honorable Mention
“Looking West on Harrison Avenue, Boston”
Watercolor
Joanna Dole
” Highly energetic, great use of light and composition in a complex setting”
“Boston Winter”
Acrylic
Robert Savage
“Love the monochromatic vision of Boston. Straight dark bridge and jagged snow on the Charles, and a lone boat with a red buoy, perfect.”
“Blaze of Glory”
Acrylic
Lucy Sur
“Very successful representation of the power of a beautiful sunset”
“Lemons with Pewter Pitcher”
Oil
Brian Wallenmeyer
“Classically beautiful”
Fall into Art
at the Weston Library – September 2022
Judge: Cindy Crimmin
First Place
Fall Leaves
Watercolor, 7 x 11
Katherine Fast
“New England autumn, with its fiery hues, has inspired many artists. The tricky part, then, becomes the need to temper those colors with more subdued neutrals for a balanced composition. This piece does just that beautifully. The result is a compelling composition with a notable sense of depth. A blend of hard and soft edges helps move the viewer’s eye around the paper while strategically placed stems provide the diversity of shape that keeps attention within the frame.”
Second Place
Closing Time, Newbury Street
Watercolor, 18 x 24
David Holt
“This complicated night scene tells an engaging story of community activity in a recognizable place. Despite a limited palette, the light as it spills from the buildings is believably compelling. The composition uses strong diagonals to enhance the sense of movement and to complement the verticals of this city street in summer. Delightful.”
Third Place
Squashed!
Watercolor, 24 x 20
Yale Nicolls
“The confident handling of the medium drew me first to this watercolor. The strong oranges expertly placed at the top of the composition draw initial attention, but it is the blend of aquas, soft greens and beige that really sets the stage. On close examination, smaller yellow flecks on some of the gourds work beautifully in contrast with the larger shapes on both the vegetables and the negative spaces that separate them. A lovely piece.”
Honorable Mentions
Yummy!
Pastel, 11 x 14
Mena Levit
“Portraits are among the most challenging genre. Creating a portrait that is simultaneously stylized and lifelike is even more challenging. This child’s large, liquid eyes and his beautifully rendered skin speak of his natural vitality. His expression is sweet, with just a hint of the imp as he plays with the raspberry “rings” on his fingers.”
Perfect Pear
Acrylic, 48 x 60
Stacey Roberts
“From a distance the scale of these pears is both bold and captivating. As one approaches, however, the layers of warm and cool colors give the fruit its three-dimensionality. I especially love the impression of bounced light created by the touches of pink just below the brighter areas of shine.”
Awakenings 2022
Judge: Pat Mattina
Comments about judging this show from Pat Mattina…
“Because staying curious is at the heart of my own creative process, these 3 questions served as my guides while visiting the WSA exhibition in person: 1) How does each work of art express the theme of “Awakenings”? 2) How are the elements and principles of design working together to create a well-orchestrated work of art? In addition, I looked for that spark of originality, where the work steps away from what is predictable and moves in a new direction. 3) Does the artwork show a moment of courage with regard to skill and/or vision.”
First Place
Vineyard Sunrise, Oil
Teresa Higgins
“History is being recorded here in addition to this one moment in time captured radiantly by the artist. The sky appears to be illuminated from within, the result of the artist’s patient application of countless layers of paint. The lush greens of these salt water banks reveal the colors of both sky and water. Brushstrokes are sensitively applied. There is unity; there is beauty of design; there is also an element of surprise in the slight ripple of water reminiscent of how 16th century artists drew the attention of the eye through subtle application of impasto. As I lean in for a closer look, I find myself reflecting upon what is at stake here as rising sea levels continue to change the face of this beloved island.”
Second Place
Will You Marry Me?, Acrylic
Maria Babb
“What draws me to this highly detailed painting are the details that I cannot see, those that the artist left for my imagination to fill in for myself. The detail of the ring is blocked with intention. I know what I am witnessing here from what the artist has captured in the figurative forms. Tension of the opposites are exquisitely balanced in this composition. Shapes are both solid and vague; space is defined and left open; colors are stunningly bright and quietly gentled by grays. The theme is fully met. A new beginning is taking place before our eyes while hers are covered. The painting begs the question: “And did she say ‘yes’?”
Third Place
Sunflower, Watercolor
Yvonne Unger
“This sunflower seems to be weeping. Devoid of its brilliant cadmium yellows, the form takes on a somber quality through the skillful use of muted colors. Depth is achieved through a wide range of values that make the petals appear withered and ready to fall to the ground. The center of the flower holds the promise of new beginnings evident in the carefully detailed seed pod. I am reminded of James Thurber’s Parable of the Last Flower published in 1939 and just two months prior to the outbreak of WWII. Both the painting and the story are relevant in today’s upended world.”
Honorable Mentions
“There is much more to this painting than first meets the eye. There is an element of surprise in the way in which the artist achieves the silhouetted forms that are actually cut out of the top gray layer of paint so that the black beneath is revealed. How clever and how brave! The composition builds through a series of diagonals that crisscross and provide excitement to the stillness of the forms. Gray tones bring out the bright, jewel-like colors reminiscent of the stained-glass windows of a Medieval castle. The action captured here is perhaps a wake-up call for our times as we wrestle with shadow and light.”
Awakening!, Watercolor
Katherine Fast
The exclamation point in the title is important to note. When spring arrives to New England there is a renewed energy that punctuates our sheer delight as we crawl out of our winter nests to begin again. To paint snow successfully is quite the challenge. To paint winter-spring snow adds another level of complexity for the artist. The thaw is achieved through the subtle shades of gray that create the illusion of weight and airiness at once. The orange of the flower repeats quietly at the base of each leaf that pushes toward the sun. These slender forms are strategically placed. The composition reflects a dance of exclamation points, a true welcoming of the season.
2021 Annual Library Show
Judge: Jeanne Rosier Smith
First Place
Renew, Oil
Lori Mehta
Second Place
Stormy Boston Marathon in Framingham, Oil
Kristin Conant
“This piece achieves several difficult things at once, creating a narrative scene in a driving rain with vibrancy and unexpected color harmony.”
Third Place
Eight Rowboats at Rest, Oil
Frederick Kubitz
“This marine scene is technically accomplished and visually appealing, drawing the viewer in with the gathered, bumping boats and offering the hint of a mystery with its unconventional crop.”
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
Maine Morning, Acrylic
Dayle Bodnar
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
“Tanked”, Watercolor
Yale Nicolls
“The dreamy depths of darks and skillful control of edge and value in this piece create the compelling effect of a fish struck by light and floating in deep water.”
Honorable Mentions
Winter Solitude, Oil
Jodi Traub
“Painterly, impressionistic style, great winter palette”
Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center, Watercolor
Margie McGrail Michals
“A quiet unassuming piece that contains the whole of NYC Rock Center when one draws near. Well drawn and vivid.”
Marlborough Main Street at Dusk, Watercolor
Michele Clamp
“Atmospheric and harmonious”
Jellyfish, Acrylic
John Sherffius
“Wonderful concept, beautifully articulated”
2021 Fall Hybrid Show
Virtual and Needham Webster Bank
Judge: Sarah Alexander
First Place
Just for Kicks, Acrylic
Maria Babb
“I liked the way the artist used an abstract background with bright colors against the realistic rendering of the sneakers. The feeling is playful, upbeat, and a breath of fresh air.”
Second Place
Cottage Street Autumn, Oil
Fritz Kubitz
“This painting is the epitome of a crisp Autumn day in New England. The artist’s use of color, light, and shadow is exquisite.”
Third Place
Path to the Matterhorn, Watercolor
David Holt
“The way this composition zigs and zags and pulls you in is brilliant. The limited palette and complex composition is rendered flawlessly. I also liked the line work in this one.”
Honorable Mentions
View from the Top, Watercolor
Mary Hunt
“This painting has a strong use of rich colors and is compositionally interesting. It transports the viewer to another place.”
Red Chair and the Flamingo, Mixed Media Collage
Joan Onofrey
“This playful collage is packed full of lovely discoveries. I loved how the flamingo and chair interact in the garden.”
Moseley, Watercolor
Katherine Fast
“Nicely done. The personality of the subject of this painting shines through. It made me smile.”
A Gloucester Sunset, Acrylic
Beverley Barnard
“This one just glows. Lovely handling of the light on the water.”
2021 Virtual Spring Show – “Spring is in the Air”
A generous grant from the Wellesley Cultural Council and a gift from the Webster Bank made this exhibition possible
Judge: Kathy Anderson
First Place
Play Ball, Oil
Kristin Conant
“The late, great Everett Raymond Kinstler told me what he looks for in a painting is “communication feeling – imagination”. I took these words to heart and this painting has all three! First, it’s such an original concept, and though I think of this as an abstract painting the handling of the buildings and even the placement of the lights is fabulous. If I squint it reminds me of a mosaic and the simple value patterns keep it from being too busy. I keep moving around and around and it is very exciting. “
Second Place
Beside Kilkern Barn, Oil
Chelsea Sebastian
“The drawing and perspective in this painting is amazing – such an original and bold way they had the fence lead you into the painting, bring you around, and come out the other side of the barn. And then you are delightfully surprised, against all the architecture and lines is tucked in a sweet little calf nuzzling its’ mother in wonderful organic mounds of earth.”
Third Place
Springtime Carpet, Acrylic
Dayle Bodnar
“This is such a beautiful early spring painting. I’ve seen these carpets of tiny blue flowers many times. The perspective of the trees and the way the background is handled is very skillful, I feel the earth rolling. The artist paid close attention to the tree line in the background, cutting some sky into it, creating another rolling “line”. Really good drawing and placement of the prominent trees.”
Honorable Mentions
The Close of the Day, Oil
Beverley Barnard
“Very beautiful atmospheric painting, the orange sunset blending into the cool water in the foreground is really well done. I love the dark value of the land “hugging” the water in its’ embrace, and the figure is perfectly placed.”
Backyard News, Oil
Anna Rejoyce
“This painting has nice feel to it, the well represented variety of several kinds of flowers, arranged in a really pleasing “arch”. I love the placement of the columbine dancing down the upper left, balanced by the bellflowers on the right, some in bud, some open, and the thoughtful placement and design of the yellows.”
Spring Showers, Oil
Nancy Treves
“A wonderful story here, which is something I look for, and then is it executed well of course. The artist handled the trees in the background very well to keep the background back. The figures are full of gesture, simply done, but well done! “
2021 Virtual Winter Show – “The Good Earth”
A generous grant from the Community Fund for Wellesley’s Al Robinson Fund for the Arts made this exhibition possible
Judge: Leslie Graff
First Place
Black Ice, Watercolor
Nan Rumpf
“Exquisite tonal pairings. Evocative tension and moodiness in the piece. It adeptly captures and maintains a certain cool light quality throughout the piece.”
Second Place
Spiral Rock, Acrylic
Maria Babb
Third Place
Fallen Leaves, Colored Pencil
Deborah Friedman
“Masterful control and technique. Excellent color application in saturation and restraint. The broad value range gives great strength to the piece.”
Honorable Mentions
In the Black Hills, Oil
Ken Northrup
“I kept coming back to this piece. Something in the compositional focus was very connecting–the balance and tension of the tree and plains with the mountains. I like the articulation of the warm light.”
Maine Coast, Oil
Linda Zug
“Nice reductionism. Plane changes are very successful with the variance of color and cool/ warm shifts within given color families.”
A Triangle of Blue, Pastel
Martha Marson
Dudley, Oil
Nancy Treves
“Interesting flavor reminiscent of early American art. Unique subject choice. Nice control of the color and values and technique to show texture.”
2020 Annual Library Show
Judge: Pat Walker
More about Pat Walker…
Pat Walker is an artist, teacher, and art administrator. She studied studio art at Queens College (CUNY) and at Yale at Norfolk, and received an M.F.A. in painting from Boston University, where she studied with James Weeks and Philip Guston. She has taught drawing, painting, watercolor and mixed media at a variety of institutions in the Boston area, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Danforth Museum of Art School, Regis College and Pine Manor College. She was the Education Coordinator at the Danforth Museum of Art and was twice named Museum Educator of the Year by the Mass Art Education Association. Pat served as the Director of Education for the Danforth Museum and School of Art for approximately 10 years and was the Deputy Director of Programs at the New Art Center in Newton from 2017-2020.
A note from the juror:
“I love the materials of art, and how the brushstrokes and marks create meaning for the whole. I am moved by how colors interact with each other, by interesting spatial play, and by rhythms within an artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, when I jury an exhibition, I look for a sensibility or vision to draw me into the work. A wonderful passage of color, a display of space, a tight composition, beautiful line, or a sense of light might catch my eye. But it is sometimes a more elusive quality that makes an impression on me – a joy in the materials, a mood or attitude, a meaningful moment captured, or something surprising in the artwork that pushes me to see in a new way.
Congratulations to all the artists in the exhibition! Continue to make art a part of your life. You will be richer for it, and so will we.” –Pat Walker
First Place
Miss Bea, Georgia Shrimp Boat, Oil on Canvas
Frederick Kubitz
“This painting takes you right up to a working boat at dock. Notice the wonderful lines that cross the canvas, some at perpendiculars – the ropes tied throughout, the pilings, the railing, the wipers on the pilothouse, the outriggers, and even features on a similar trawler in the distance. Standing close to the painting, you will see a mastery of oil painting technique, and an abundance of details such as the marks of wear on the bow, a reflection in the water, the land in the background. When I walked across the gallery and saw this painting at a distance, it was great to see the strength and structure of the composition, and the placement of the lights and darks, warms and cools, in this classic scene. Beautiful!”
Second Place
Lush Gardens, Pastel
Jodi Traub
“Something pulls me into this pastel drawing of truly lush gardens. The beautiful marks? The layers of different colored plants? Color and light? Structured calm? Sometimes art gives us a place to recharge, a retreat. The vitality of the pastel strokes adds life, and the order in this composition invites me to stay a while!”
Third Place
RIP Justice Ginsberg, Oil on Wood
Annie Newman
“This contemporary portrait uses bold colors and strong shapes to create both a likeness and a comment on the character of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The unflinching gaze, the shape of the mouth and the strong edges throughout convey a sense of determination and strength. I like the way that abstract elements anchor this portrait to the picture plane. The repeating curves of RBG’s facial structure, the curve of the dots on her blouse, the curves created by dark shadows on her throat, and the curve of some graying hairs are design elements that take this painting beyond representation. This work is an excellent example of how art reflects the times, and a wonderful tribute to an American hero.”
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
Bird’s Nest, Colored Pencil
Deborah Friedman
“Art pushes us to see in new ways. This exquisitely detailed study captures the result of a bird’s labors to create its nest, and encourages us to think about the process. The artist shows a delicate weaving of straw, leaves and twigs, with beautiful spaces between each fragment, and soft shadows. What patience and power of observation!”
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
Cleaves Street Rockport, Watercolor
Michele Clamp
“Cleaves Street Rockport is an example of the superb use of traditional watercolor techniques. The artist takes us down a narrow road, past parked cars and multiple buildings in this New England scene. Using gentle, muted colors and beautiful grays, and showing just enough detail, the artist conveys a quiet summer day. Great shadows! I like how the angles of the architecture and the shapes of the windows and automobiles create movement through the composition.”
Honorable Mentions
Near Portland Head, Acrylic
Yale Nicholls
“I can hear the sound of water crashing on the rocks when I look at this painting of the Maine coast. It’s not easy to capture the feel of churning water and sea foam, but this painting succeeds. I am especially drawn to the subtle changes in color, and sense of constant movement of the water against the rocks.”
In a Perfect World, Acrylic
Maria Babb
“This acrylic painting shows how art can reflect our times and dreams. Choosing simplified figure and shadow shapes, and having the children turn away from the viewer, the artist has given this painting added weight. The monochromatic background adds significance, and what could have been a saccharine sweet painting becomes highly important and meaningful. We follow the gaze of the children to something that could/should be.”
Singer, Oil on Canvas
Anna Rejoyce
“This is a wonderful contemporary treatment of a vintage sewing machine. The serious, realistic rendering of the sewing machine sits on a flat pink table, in front on flowered wallpaper with pink flowers. This frontal, straight-on view of the black sewing machine, surrounded by strong color and pattern, takes this artwork out of the world of traditional still life and into the present. Nicely done!”
Comfy Quilt, Torn Paper Collage
Joan Onofrey
“Torn and patterned paper is used in this artwork to create a whimsical interior of a bedroom scene. The use of so many vertical and horizontal lines and edges adds sophistication and spatial tension to this imaginative collage.”
Fall 2020 Online Show
Judge: Ryan Black
More about Ryan Black, in his own words…
I love talking about art. I love jargon and references and challenging viewpoints and deciphering meaning in other artist’s compositions. But any artist that talks about or attempts to explain their own work is in disservice to this industry because, to paraphrase Francis Bacon, explanation doesn’t deepen the mystery.
Everything to know about my paintings is either there on the canvas (or whatever the substrate), or it isn’t. Spelling it out will not make it better, just like a joke isn’t funny if you have to explain it.
That said, a good dirty-joke will go right over the head of a child. And when it comes to art, the vast majority of people have that same level of child-like ignorance. I’m not saying my artwork is something special, or has some hidden meaning that only the art community can appreciate. I’m saying that all good art refers and reflects back, creating its time and place in the world. Bringing something to the table, as far as a basic understanding of aesthetics and art history will always make experiencing artwork more immersive and enjoyable. Good art is made for the people that have appreciation and knowledge. Its meaning isn’t hidden, just a very small percentage of people go looking for it.I try and make good art.
Every painting where the motivation has come from me thinking the subject is salable, or that a wider audience would respond to it, has been a failure. Those are the pieces that still hang on my walls as a cautionary tale, while the ones where the subjects interest and excite me all continue to find homes. But failure is valuable experience, and learning to trust myself as an artist is an ongoing lesson.
If I had to give one statement about my education in art, and insight into the work I try and create, it would be that capturing and conveying a likeness, which is how I was taught and used to be very important to me, interests me less with every passing day. Technology has given us endless ways to capture the objective world. I’m interested in a personal, subjective take. But old habits die hard. Hopefully it’s there on the canvas.
To see Ryan Black’s artwork visit his website
1st Place – Woman with White Pitcher – Cynthia Demir
Just a fantastic use of the medium, blending both drawing and painting in a way that only pastel can communicate. I love that the artist uses contour lines with some forms, but completely abandons them in other areas, as if the subject dictates what needs to be painterly and atmospheric, and what needs to be narrative and draw the eye. This seems like a call back to a very common theme and composition in art history, and instantly reminds me of Van Gogh’s homages to Jean Francois Millet and the Barbizon School. And the subject and use of harmonious color in shadow, with vibrant, contrasting color on sunlit textile patterns, reminds me of two of my favorite paintings: Vermeer’s “A Maid Asleep“ and Sargent’s “Venetian Onion Seller”. Excellent work.
2nd Place – A Load Off Your Shoulders – Lori Mehta
There is a boldness to this painting that commands attention. Figure work is tricky territory because it is always so easy to scrutinize. We read body language and recognize likenesses with an unconscious ease and always have an initial, immediate reaction. So for this piece to break so many rules and norms, and lean into so much of what painters have traditionally attempted to avoid in figure work, only adds to the narrative promised by the title. A Load Off Your Shoulders could easily be applied to the artist abandoning the ridged constraints of traditional disciplines. The tangent line at the shoulders. The dead-center cross. The way the angular lines accentuate the static figure, reduced to simplified shapes and forms. And it all works! Those elements seem so purposeful and only add to the defiant, freeing spirit of this inspiring painting.
3rd Place- Fruits and Flowers – Linda Zug
Virtual exhibitions are difficult to judge because scale doesn’t translate in a thumbnail on a screen. So when I realized this painting was 24”x30”, I was thrown off by how much larger than life the subject was painted. And the simple, muted forms then became these great angular shapes of soft, gray colors, giving the work a compelling, quiet mood. But the main reason I am so drawn to this painting is the rim of that vase. The way the light hits that area, creating these unintuitive ripples and shapes, completely dissolves any sense of form in the painting and you are left with this beautifully impressionistic, ambient still life.
Honorable Mention
Boston’s Theatre District – David Holt
Typically, I like when an artist utilizes their medium in a way that shows it off. Here, the painter has taken watercolor, a medium that usually translates into loose washes of transparent, formless light, and instead builds a solid mass of ridged forms and contours. And it works beautifully. It has the feel of a woodblock print at first glance, as if the line work was carved out of something solid, which is only added to by the use of all those measured, straight vertical and horizontal lines.
Black-Shouldered Kite –Michele Clamp
Wonderful use of negative space around the border, with subtle washes of grey giving a sense of motion and keeping the subject from being static. But the eyes are the star of the show and hard to look away from. The rich, jewel like color, set in all that gray and white, is outstanding.
The subject and composition are almost unnecessary when the painting is done with such a confident use of the medium. This is a celebration of watercolor painting. From the bright lights and transparent, colorful shadows, this evokes the best of John Whorf and Sargent in Venice.
There is something about pastels, and their rich, saturated pigments, that seem to be a perfect fit for bright, sunlight seascapes. And the great thing about clouds and waves is that you can’t question the likeness. We’ve all seen them do impossible things. The form of the wave in light, with that upward fold, seems like it shouldn’t be possible, and yet it creates this great sense of anticipation for the crash that is about to come.
Another one that is difficult to get a sense of size and texture when it is only experienced on a screen, but still manages to stand out. There is a great sense of chaotic movement, fitting for the nervous, fidgety subjects, that is achieved because of the medium and all that texture.
Spring 2020 Online Show
Judges: Jonathan Barnard and Ben Mowll
About the jurors…
Jonathan Barnard’s art career started when he began studying painting in Lyon, France. He was represented by Aberbach Fine Art, Savile Row, London for several years (this was the London branch of the New York gallery but, sadly, shut down in England following the death of the owner). In London, Barnard has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, New English Art Club and the Hackney Annual. Outside of London, he took part in ‘Four Realist Painters’ at the Royal Museum and Art Gallery in Canterbury, and exhibited there for a number of years. Barnard was also one of the English painters in a touring show held jointly with France and Belgium called ‘Painters Across the Channel’. He is currently preparing for a solo show at the Chelsea Arts Club in London.
Ben Mowll has been painting and exhibiting for nearly 30 years in both oil and watercolour. He is now a full time painter after happily abandoning a long career as a solicitor. He is currently the elected President of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) who are based in the Mall Galleries, just off Trafalgar Square, London. He exhibits regularly in London and in his home county of Kent. His work is in private collections in the UK, the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. He has won numerous awards, including the St Cuthberts Mill Prize for best work on paper in the 2006 RSMA exhibition. In 2007 his work was chosen by the President of the RSMA to represent them at the Boat Show, Earls Court. In 2013 he was awarded the Buzzacott prize for best watercolour in the annual exhibition of the RSMA. A number of his oil paintings were selected recently for inclusion in the 2018 annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI). In 2019, he also had a successful solo exhibition at the Royal Opera House Arcade Gallery in London.
1st Place Award – Sphereration by Yvonne Unger
This painting immediately catches the eye because of its quiet and mysterious beauty, but then an attempt at analysis begins – at an initial glace it looks like an underwater scene, seaweed and bubbles rising but then the planet like spheres, floating celestially, catch the attention and dispel this idea – and this is where the success of this painting lies. So many abstract paintings simply fail to engage as, although they may mean something to the painter, this does not necessarily carry forward to the viewer. This picture, with both recognizable and abstract elements, draws one in to reflection that can lead down different paths. It was this quality of being placed neither in an immediately recognizable universe, nor a completely abstract one that makes it such a successful work. It is a painting that is not only lovely to look at but one that also inspires contemplation of life.
2nd Place Award – Bicycle and Laundry by Fritz Kubitz
A sense of absence figures so strongly in this painting that it draws us into its world – in very much the same way, though for different reasons, as Sphereration drew us in. The difference here is that we are not drawn into a world of indefinable abstract thought but very much into a human world, the world of the person who left the bicycle there, who hung out the laundry but who is now absent. And it is this absence of the figure that then sets the viewer in that person’s place and captures the feeling of isolation that we all feel at times. Mr. Kubitz has taken simple scene of laundry and a bicycle and distilled from it a universal of the human condition. It has the same sensitivity to the isolation of the individual that one finds in Andrew Wyeth’s work and left us both wanting to see more of Mr. Kubitz’s paintings.
3rd Place Award – Looking for a Prince by Maria Babb
This is a very finely executed work, not only well painted but also well drawn. Sloppy drawing could so easily have ruined it. The title, apart from being witty, carries with it a sense of yearning, of longing for something in life and immediately resonates by drawing us into a world that is both beautiful but full of human frailty.
Honorable Mentions
Beyond Frontiers by Cécile Ganne
Caspar David Friedrich, the 19th Century German painter, wrote ‘The painter should paint not only what he sees in front of him, but also what he sees inside himself. If he sees nothing within, then he should stop painting what he has in front of him’. This sums up where so many landscape painters go wrong – they do not venture beyond painting a mere view of somewhere and so their works fail in that essential of Art – to illuminate some aspect of the understanding of our lives. This painting stopped me in my tracks – I stood on the edge of the scene, surveying the weltlandschaft that stretched out before me and then ventured slowly into that world, taking me through the visible and into an unknown beyond.
Music by Alfred D’Angelo
This is a beautifully executed work showing a high degree of technical mastery of the medium. To paint an abstract such as Music is a hugely difficult and daunting task – there is no visual element to music so where does one begin? For it to work one has to delve into the abstract and Alfred D’Angelo has handled this so well. He takes us into the aural world of music leaving the instrument (as leaves of a tree, a nice visual pun) whilst also keeping us grounded in the physical world that produces the sound. The side panels of the triptych not only rise with the sound but also serve as a reminder of the origin of the instrument itself.
Two Cows by Joan Onofrey
This picture draws the viewer in and the reason lay neither in the medium nor in the high degree of technical excellence, but in the strong sense of tradition that the work evokes. As a country boy who grew up in rural England surrounded by farmland and woods and it is possibly for this reason that I have always loved the works of the American ruralist painters such as Charles Burchfield, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood and Andrew Wyeth. Two Cows is a work that follows in this tradition. It is a work both reassuring (at home in familiar territory) but which also allows for adventure (venturing into the woods beyond).
The Wall by Deborah Friedman
This is a gem of drawing, and the isolation of the subject matter from any extraneous background elements that would necessarily have detracted from the piece’s purity. The transition of white, through the spectrum, and back to white gives a completeness to the drawing, which further highlights the lack of need for any background setting.
2019 Annual Library Show
Judge: Jean Lightman
Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor
“After the Rain” By Elizabeth Fawcett
Yale Nicolls Award for Best Interpretation of the Natural World
“Afternoon on the Beach” By Yale Nicolls
First Place – “Grist Mill, Sudbury” By Michele Clamp
Second Place – “Inhale” By Nan Daly
Third Place – “Billows Smooth and Bright” By Lori Mehta
Honorable Mentions
“Among the Redwoods” By Katherine Fast
“Trinity Church in Winter, Boston” By Frederick Kubitz
“Baker” By Yvonne Posa
“Secondary Trio” By Deborah Friedman
Fall 2019 Wellesley Community Center
Judge: Margaret McWethy
First Place “Fate Uncertain” By Margot Hurley
Second Place “Orange Dory” By Yale Nicolls
Third Place “Causeway Marsh, Medfield” By Michelle LaVallee
Honorable Mention
“Docks at Westport Point” By Joanna Dole
“Blue Life” By Maria Babb
“Microbiome” By Nan Rumpf
“Japanese Lanterns” By Katherine Fast
Spring 2019 Wellesley Community Center
Judge: Phyllis McGibbons
About Phyllis McGibbons…
Phyllis McGibbon is the Elizabeth Christy Kopf Professor and Director of the Studio Art Program at Wellesley College. She holds BFA and MFA degrees from UW-Madison and taught at Wesleyan University, Pomona College and the Claremont Graduate University before moving to Wellesley in the mid 1990’s. Since then she has also mentored students in the graduate print program at RISD, the low residency MFA programs of Vermont College and Maine College of Art, SMFA Boston and the University of Georgia study abroad program in Cortona, Italy.
Phyllis’ drawings, prints and artist books are included in over 45 public collections. Awards for her work include major grants from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Western States Arts Federation NEA, Art Matters, Inc and the Howard Foundation at Brown University.
For the past several years, Phyllis has been the Arts Building Director/Faculty Client Lead for a major capital project to renovate and expand the Arts, Music & Media facilities at Wellesley. She is now planning a sabbatical and will be working in residence at the Frans Masereel Centrum in Kasterlee, Belgium this Fall.
First Place “Celestial Being” By Sally Meding
Second Place “Studio Parking” By Chelsea Sebastian
Third Place “Peppers in Pint” By Mary Erickson
Honorable Mentions
“Blue City in Morocco” By Maria Babb
“Water Over the Dam” By Bev Barnard
“Squam Cove” Dottie Laughlin
2018 Annual Library Show
Judge: Thom Carter
About Thom Carter…
First Place “Blue Bird” By Roger Kastel
Second Place “Sightlines” By Lori Mehta
Third Place “Cairn Triptych” By Deborah Friedman
Honorable Mention
Fall 2018 Wellesley Community Center Show
Judge: Sam Vokey
1st Place “Nestled in the Peloponnese” By Vasilia Laskaris
2nd Place “Inclining Towards Spring” By Deborah Friedman
3rd Place “Scarlett” By Sharon Cohen
Honorable Mentions
Spring 2018 Wellesley Community Center Show
Judge: Thomas Dunlay
First Place for “Searcher” By Roger Kastel
Second Place for “Afternoon Contemplation” By Dottie Laughlin
Third Place for “Ruler of the Roost” By Yvonne Posa
Honorable Mention
“Path to the Ocean” By Florence Como
Fall 2017 Library Show
Judge: Michelle Jung
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Fall 2017 WSA Community Center Exhibition Award Winners
Judged by David Curtis
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Spring 2017 WSA Community Center Exhibition Award Winners
Judged by Eli Cedrone
Fall 2016 WSA Wellesley Free Library Exhibition Award Winners
Judged by Elli Crocker
Fall 2016 WSA Community Center Exhibition Award Winners
May 2016 WSA Mini Art In Bloom Selected Artwork
Chosen by Wellesley Garden Club for floral interpretation
Spring 2016 WSA Community Center Exhibition Award Winners
Judged by Emily Passman www.emilypassman.com
