Awardees Announced at Invitational Opening
A record number of artists and art lovers turned out for the South Coast Artists 2024 Members’ Invitational reception at the Bristol Art Museum, in Bristol, RI on Sunday, May 5.
The 140 artworks in the exhibition offered attendees a glimpse of the wide range of mediums and styles of SCA’s talented members. The 2D and 3D works on view were created by 69 of SCA’s nearly 200 members, and included watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, encaustic, eco-print, mixed media, charcoal, ink, photography, collage, plaster, wood, ceramic, metal and found objects.
“The diversity and high quality of the work exhibited this year is remarkable,” said SCA President Stephen Remick. “It’s proof that the South Coast is unique region that inspires artists to reach deep and deliver art of this caliber.”
Independent juror Donna Parsons reviewed the submissions and selected outstanding artworks for awards. Parsons studied studio art and art history at Rhode Island College and was the curator and director of Dryden Gallery in Providence, Rhode Island for ten years.
“All of these pieces offer contradiction, blended with affirmation to provide a satisfying experience for the viewer,” Parson observed. “Not simply artistic or attractive, they invite thought. Congratulations to all who participated, thank you for this opportunity.”
The exhibition is on view through May 25th, at the Bristol Art Museum, 10 Wardwell St., Bristol, RI., on Thursday – Sundays, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Museum Admission is $5.00. All artworks can also be viewed and purchased online. Purchased artwork is available for pickup at the museum on Sunday, May 26, 3- 4 p.m. or Monday, May 27, 4-6 p.m. If you cannot pickup during the listed times, please contact us ahead of your purchase to arrange an alternative pickup option. We are happy to help you support your creative community!
SCA gratefully acknowledges the Board of Directors of Bristol Art Museum for generously welcoming our artists into their beautiful facility. We express a special thank you to Mary Dondero and the team of volunteers who handle the many unseen tasks needed to make the reception and day-to-day operation of the exhibition successful.
First Place
Robert Abele
Hustle and Bustle
Oil
“Chaos meets control in the brush strokes; at first glance they appear quick and haphazard but further viewing offers deliberate choices of color, composition and texture. His depiction of windows is sublime.”
Second Place
Heather Stivison
Asking Questions
Acrylic
“Layers of conflicting yet complimentary images give this painting the appearance of being three dimensional. Calligraphy is disguised by rushing water which makes its message opaque.”
Third Place
Katherine Thompson
Haiku Moon Jars 1 and 2
Ceramic
“Traditional delicate Japanese vessels combined with traditional inspirational Japanese poetry are given a twist with a dark message revealing appearances can be deceptive.”
Juror’s Award
Lindsey Epstein
Charlie’s Tulips
Porcelain
“Unique yet uniform pieces which can stand alone or surrounded by dozens. Picturing a room covered with a close-knit spiral of a ceramic tulip field, if it’s no trouble.”
Juror’s Award
Fiona Marques
Rusted Danger
Rusted steel
“Every edge of this is sharp and dangerous yet it appears ready to take flight. Steel origami, light as paper.”
Juror’s Award
Mark LeSaffre
Head of Westport River
Acrylic
“Breaking down a familiar landscape to its basic shape, color and composition.”
The SCA Members’ Invitational Exhibition is presented by Mott & Chace Realty and is sponsored by Cardi’s Furniture & Mattresses. This program is supported in part by grants from the Dartmouth Cultural Council and Westport Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westport Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America.
South Coast Artists, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, educates, represents, and supports artists living and working in the coastal towns of Tiverton and Little Compton, RI, and Westport and Dartmouth, MA. Each summer SCA sponsors studio tours and this year the 21st annual SCA Open Studio Tour takes place on the weekends of July 20-21 and August 17-18. SCA also provides free educational events and grants for emerging artists.
Images from the Exhibition
