More than 120 works of art created by members of the St. Augustine Art Association are featured now through October 29, in the art group’s landmark gallery at 22 Marine Street. Ten artists, working in varied styles and materials, were recognized with outstanding artistic excellence awards during the opening reception of the annual juried Fall Members Show.
Xi Guo won the Best in Show-Jean Wagner Troemel prize for “The Last Sleep,” a figurative watercolor, described as “sublime” by exhibit judge Tony Wood. Guo has won prestigious awards internationally and has been showcased in numerous exhibitions and art publications, including the “The Artist’s Magazine,” among others.
Roger Bansemer earned the Clark and Alice Alger Excellence Award for his oil painting “View from Bravo Lane,” a plein air landscape of the local historic downtown street.
The First Place award was given to B.K. Moring for “Thanks Sam,” a finely hand-crafted wooden rocking chair. Sandra Maler won Second Place for “Emergence,” a biomorphic woven basket sculpture. Betty Morris Parker’s “Solitude” collage received the Third Place prize, and Cindy Wilson won Fourth Place for “Secret Falls,” a colorful batik.
Honorable Mention awards were presented to Nancy Hamlin-Vogler, Dan Voellinger, Siv Spurgeon and Gina Torkos.
“This is a remarkably strong show,” said Tony Wood, a professional artist and art educator from Jacksonville. “All of the artists have created interesting and wonderful work, but the winning pieces really moved me on a deep level.”
Sponsored by 97Park Real Estate firm, the awards are presented each month throughout the Art Association’s exhibit season. “We are so pleased to be part of this community and to support artists and the exciting programs offered by the St. Augustine Art Association,” said Karen Zander, owner of 97Park.
The Fall Members Show was mounted by a team of volunteers, under the direction of Catherine Avery St. Jean, Bill and Marcia Pappas and Kay Burtin, with support from the Saint Augustine Camera Club and Jack Wilson Chevrolet. The St. Augustine Art Association is open free to the public.
For more information on the St. Augustine Art Association, visit www.staaa.org.
In the above image, the Fall Member Award Winners are (left to right) Jean Wagner Troemel (award sponsor); Gina Torkos, Xi Guo, Dan Voelliinger, Siv Spurgeon, Nancy Hamlin-Vogler, B.K. Moring, Cindy Wilson, Betty Morris Parker, Roger Bansemer, Sandra Maler. Photo by Laryssa Goberts.
