Award Winners Wethersfield Benefit Show

Wethersfield Academy for the Arts hosted it's premier benefit show, with guest jurors Sherrie McGraw and Gregg Kreutz.  59 paintings, drawings, pastels and watercolors were selected from artists across the U.S.  The top prize, first place, and $1,200 was awarded to Ray Hassard of Cincinatti, Ohio for his work "Dawn on the Rocks", an 18" x 30" pastel on board, developed from a plein air study.  Hassard said, "Subject matters to me. I search for unusual subjects and new perspectives on familiar scenes. "

Ray Hassard, 18 X 30 pastel, "Dawn on the Rocks"

A young artist to watch, Kelli Folsom, of Old Lyme CT, took second place with her still life, "Metal, Glass, Onions" oil on board, 16" X 20".  Kelli's painting has an "old master's" feel to it, laden with atmosphere. 

Kelli Folsom, "Metal, Glass, Onions" 16" X 20" oil on panel

Artist Leah Lopez of New York, NY, received Third Place for her serene still life painting "Copper and Blue". 

Leah Lopez, "Copper and Blue", 9" X 18" oil on canvas

In addition, the judges awarded five honorable mentions to the following artists:

Jack Broderick, "Winterspill", 12" X 16", oil on canvas

Chris Hooker, "Green Chinese & Lace" 16" X 12", oil on board

Angela Falstrom, "Chadwick's Studio" 5" X 6.5", watercolor

Mee Sang Skrajnowski-"The Photographer" 27" X 29", oil on canvas

Todd Voss, "Little Japanese Vase with Crab Apples" 9" X 12", oil on canvas

Collectors and artists will want to make the trip to East Hartford to Hartford Fine Art and Framing before June 30th to see and purchase artworks.  Hartford Fine Art and Framing, WAA's corporate sponsor is located at 80 Pitkin Street East Hartford, CT 06108. 860-528-1409 www.hartfordfineart.com