From the Judge:

The complicated simplicity in Foggy Morning is striking. What seems minimal at first glance becomes quite complex over a longer view. The photo’s exaggerated atmospheric perspective, combined with its opposing flat graphic qualities, contributes to its overall demand for attention. Reminiscent of the late 16th c. Japanese screens by Hasegawa ­Tohaku, Foggy Morning, excels at pacing the viewer with the visual rhythms and varied repetition defined nearly a century ago by the gestalt principles of design. 

This year's Best in Show Award is in honor of Patty and Eric Rosenberg, longtime supporters of the Bay School and the arts. The award is sponsored by Friends of Patty and Eric:Julie Dayton, David and Mary Ann Carr, David and Linda Moorman, Dick and Adele Pogue, Lewis and MaryAnn Hubbard, Kathy Yent-White and Lloyd White, Dan and Kelsey Desmond, Mary Chapman, Mac and Gay Butler, and Alan and Lois Biddison.

We asked Patty to share why she and Eric are so passionate about the arts:

"Our commitment to the arts is deeply rooted in our social consciousness. We have tried to be supportive of the arts in general and the Bay School in particular. Early in the Bay School’s history I helped Wendy Wells when she called on us to contribute in many ways- giving of our time, talents and sweat equity, being on the board for ten years, doing invitations and decorations for the auction and chairing the auction and now helping with the Arts Speaks Show.

I was an Art History major at Mary Washington and one professor pointed out in our senior year that we needed to continue our interest and support of the arts after graduation and throughout our lives. I took this admonition to heart since I truly believe art is essential to spiritual well being. Being creative is an expression of who we are and how we interact with the world.

Our families were supportive of the arts. My family is full of people who draw and paint, especially my father, his sister and many cousins. We admire those who are artists and support artists."

Thank you, Patty and Eric, for all you've done and continue to do to support the arts! You will never be forgotten.

From the Judge:

Contrasts abound in this lyrical image! The visual moves between orange and blue, vivid and dull, dark and light, soft and hard edges, etc.… create a surface tension that moves this non-illusionary painting into a piece about deep space and advancing foreground. Over a longer view this work delivers even more complex shapes, colors, and edges that vibrate and sing. Landscape 10 shares an unavoidable kinship to the painted works of artists Paul Klee and Hans Hoffman, wherein these concerns held so much prominence.

The award for 1st Place, 2-Dimensional Art is sponsored by Patty and Eric Rosenberg.

The award is named for Dorothy Gould Abare, Patty’s aunt. Dotti was a self-taught artist and animal lover. She loved old farmhouses and painting them. Many of her works in later years were of birds. She is remembered fondly for her encouragement of young artists.

This year the award honors Linda Walker, a founding member of the Art Speaks Juried Art Show Committee. Linda’s leadership was instrumental in the show’s success for the first six years, and her legacy lives on in today’s exhibition. Linda is a scrimshaw artist, an animal lover, and has been a tireless cheerleader and organizer for all things Art Speaks. Linda and her husband Robert generously sponsored awards for many years of the exhibition. She is now enjoying retirement in the local area.

From the Judge:

The clean lines of Krome's Gold Boat emphasize this vessel's essential form. Every part of this vessel is well-considered, from the base's interaction to the table to the proportion of the cavity and handles. The repeating yet varying spherical arches are incredibly satisfying, creating a strong sense of unity and rhythm, further strengthening the piece's overall aesthetic. The brilliant design and superb craftsmanship of Gold Boat result in a vessel that surpasses merely function and stands firmly as a beautiful work of art.

The award for 1^st Place, 3-Dimensional Art is sponsored by Josephine Thorpe. Josie is a champion of the Mathews community, with a special focus on the arts and local history.

The award is named for Chris McCann, who crafted many of the whimsical  works in Josie’s sculpture garden.  Chris had a big heart, a creative mind, and skilled hands, and a positive impact on many lives in Mathews.

This year the award is in memory of Wade Brooks, a founding member of the Art Speaks Juried Art Show Committee. Wade was a blacksmith and glassblower whose studio was on the Made in Mathews Open Studio Tour for many years. His thoughtful insights were invaluable to the development of the Art Speaks Exhibition, and he is greatly missed.

From the Judge:

Gilman's Oaxaca Meat Hall is a moving image that begs one to connect with the woman at its center. This is a work that reveals itself with time, demanding a long and curious look into both content and composition. The dynamic symmetry and perspective in this piece form the scaffolding for beautiful complexity, drawing even more attention to the woman's placement near its center. All diagonals lead to her. Her lit, nearly glowing body, pushes the psychology and narrative of this piece, demanding the viewer to engage.

The 2^nd Place, 2-Dimensional Art Award is sponsored by Jim and Amanda Taylor, longtime supporters of the Bay School. They honor Martha Anne King with the award:

“Jim and I have dedicated this award to Martha Ann King. Martha Ann exemplifies the spirit of the Bay School. She is an artist, a dedicated volunteer, a mentor and inspiration to many! Her infectious smile and enthusiasm is a treasure for all.”

We couldn’t agree more. Martha Anne has taken dozens of classes at the Bay School and exhibited many works in the gallery, including a piece in this exhibition. We are saddened to announce that Martha Anne has recently passed from this world. 

From the Judge:

Through color, texture, and pattern Maloney's Urn merges disparate elements into a beautifully composed pot. The base, consisting of ram heads, is an unexpected yet exciting detail. While that type of detail could easily overpower a vessel, Maloney cleverly uses other areas of heavy visual weight to create well-balanced and quirky pot. In addition to impeccable craftsmanship, this urn showcases a thoughtful, well-balanced design that would delight any discerning eye.

From the Judge:

Brown's Time for Tea is a well-investigated painting, evidencing the artist's interest in light, space, and underlying formal abstraction. The painting moves beyond mere description with actively painted negative shapes and oodles of overlap that lock in the underlying compositional scaffolding. An intricate lattice of the varying pattern also functions to unify this work further. The work's spatial illusion, lost and found forms, and varied edges work to expand the space, implying a sort of "thick air" that deepens the space beyond its shallow confines. 

From the Judge:

Forrest’s Sex Dragon is a beautifully designed piece that maintains functionality without sacrificing artistic aesthetic. The proportion and scale of the varying curves and arches create unifying rhythms and beautifully crafted movements. Its superb craftsmanship and masterful design create a powerhouse sculpture!

From Betsy Henderson, award judge:

This was a very difficult decision given the stellar quality of the work chosen. The ceramics were especially strong. Katherine Maloney’s piece Sybiosis demonstrates not only technical mastery of her medium but a lovely rendering of the animals portrayed. The elegant, fluid interaction of the horses is particularly moving.

The Arts on Main Award recognizes our close relationship with our neighboring arts center, Gloucester Arts on Main.

The Award is sponsored by immediate past Chairman Bill Andersen and his wife Roxanna. The winning piece was selected by Betsy Henderson, Arts on Main’s Executive Director.