Date: Fri 23-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

SCAN-artworks-Newquist-spring

Full Text:

Spring Show Provided A Fresh Look At Art, 5/23/97

(with photo)

BY SHANNON HICKS

Bright red (what else?) gumball machines filled with bright primary-colored

gumballs, patriotically-adorned children watching parades from asphalt curbs,

a few grannies playing billiards, and large flowing landscapes and unusual

choices for subjects of still lifes were among the well-placed choices by show

chairmen and members for the 27th annual Society of Creative Arts of Newtown

Spring Show last weekend.

Presented at the Newtown Meeting House for two full days, this year's annual

spring show seemed to have an undercurrent of humor (the grannies playing pool

were depicted in a Steve Liker oil called "Pool Sharks") and chance-taking.

There were landscapes and portraits, all done with strong, competent hands.

And there were a number of works depicting unusual views, or using uncommon

techniques to present a view.

"Spring Street, New York" was a perfect example of the whimsical choices show

chairs Pat Glaves and Jeanine Greaves went with this spring. A watercolor by

Helen N. Musante, the piece was a fun, loose picture of one busy corner of The

Big Apple. So well executed and very popular with viewers, "Spring Street"

failed, surprisingly, to win an award.

The society, an artist's group with members from throughout Fairfield County

and New York State, opened its show with an artists' reception and awards

presentation on May 16. The show was then open to the public, Saturday and

Sunday, May 17-18.

Of the 16 awards presented Friday evening, the most prestigious was The Larry

Newquist Award, presented to Mel Crawford for his acrylic entitled "Full

Load." The award includes a $300 cash prize.

This year marked the inaugural presentation of The Larry Newquist Award For

Excellence. Replacing the award formerly called Best in Show, the new honor

was created by the SCAN board of directors in honor of its late founder,

Laurence Newquist, Sr.

The winning art work, "Full Load" was a seascape that used deep blues for its

choppy water and stormy sky. Because it is constantly moving and changing,

water makes for an interesting subject, said the artist.

While the images of Mr Crawford and many other artists were representational,

the show ran the gamut, with very abstract pieces and everything in between.

At the opposite end of the spectrum from Mr Crawford's winning piece was a

pair of samplings by Robert Norton. (Artists were allowed up to two

representational pieces, a direction many chose to follow.)

Mr Norton's two acrylics were placed atop each other, but even if they had

been placed differently, there was no mistaking the duo were the products of

the same artist. Very bright, with strong red or black backgrounds to

punctuate each frame, the kinetic pieces were being offered for $300 each.

Jack Cluen had a pair of pastels to represent his talent. Both were very

popular with viewers, but neither was for sale.

Each Cluen work depicted not only young children, but the innocence and charm

of youth at its most precious. "First Born" was a single-tone brown pastel on

dark almond paper. A comforting hand - a parent's? - rested on the back of a

sleeping infant, the child lying on its stomach.

Conversely, "Kyle, Urban Explorer" was full of color and awakened life, even

with its depiction of a gray, rainy day. The subject of the image, presumably

the young boy named in its title, is shown sitting on a sidewalk, his legs in

a V, his fingers picking at something between the cracks.

The youngster in this frame is wearing a big yellow raincoat, blue rain boots

and a big blue rain hat pulled down so far the viewer cannot see his face.

Instead, the imagination is left to play with not only the idea of a child's

explorations in the rain but also what the child looks like. The juxtaposition

of what is given and what is inferred makes Cluen's piece such an overwhelming

illustration.

Interestingly, neither of Mr Norton's nor Mr Cluen's pieces were noticed by

the judges.

One of the longest-running artist organizations in the state, SCAN entered its

second quarter-century last season. Artists have come to respect not only

SCAN's longevity, but also the strength and depth of the organization's

membership and presentations.

With such a wide diversity of work in last weekend's Spring Show, a reminder

was served that not only has SCAN been around for quite a few years, but there

is a vision at work that will continue to keep the organization adjusting with

changing times.

(The following awards were presented May 16, during the opening of the 27th

Annual Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc, Spring Show. Judges were Pat

Billeci, Hank McLaughlin and Marc Chabot.)

The Larry Newquist Award For Excellence was presented, for the first time

ever, to Mel Crawford, for his watercolor entitled "Full Load." The award is

accompanied by a $300 cash prize.

The SCAN Award/First in Oil or Acrylic ($150): William Kavanek, "The Ida May,

Front and Center," an oil.

The SCAN Award/First in Watercolor ($150): Linda Nemergut, "Reflections."

The SCAN Award/First in Pastel ($150): Rainie Crawford, "Still Life With A

Meissen Cup."

The Amaral Motors Award ($50): May Phillips, "The Splendor Birches," pen and

ink.

Art Tenders Award ($50 gift certificate): Chrina May, "First Snow Fall,"

pastel.

The Bee Publishing Co. Award ($100): Kita Macon, "Tea and Roses," oil.

Dresser Industries/Heise Instrument Div Award ($50): Ellie Bender, "Kelly at

Rosedon," pastel.

Dick Blick Awards ($50 gift certificates): Melody Asbury, "Chrissy," oil;

Betty Christensen, "Medieval City," watercolor; Marilyn Ventresca DiChiara,

"Flag Day on the Green," watercolor; and James Minnick, "Lobster Pound,"

watercolor.

Grey Horse Gallery Award ($50 gift certificate): Barbara Goodspeed, "Farm in

Winter," oil.

Koenig Art Emporium Award ($50 gift certificate): Joan Jamieson, "Dazzling

Dahlia," watercolor.

The People's Bank Award ($100 savings bond): Ruth Newquist, "Hidden Treasure,"

watercolor.

The Taunton Press Award ($100): Ruth Leon, "Young Girl," oil.