Darien Art Show draws a crowd for large exhibit

(Douglas Cavers photo)

The Darien Arts Center celebrated its 52nd annual Art Show and Sale one of its largest exhibits at its Town Hall space. Lesley Sandison, lead organizer of the Art Show, called it a great success. “It brings all ages together to celebrate the arts,” she said.
The show, which opened Saturday features 317 pieces of artwork, submitted this year, Sandison noted, a significant increase from last year.
Orthodontist David Osherow sponsored the student awards. Nancy McTague-Stock judged student art submissions.
High school first prizes were awarded to Eric Kanigan for photography, Kelsey Harrison for sculpture/ceramics and Joe Maccarone for other media.
Also winning first prizes were students Katherine de Haas, George Thompson and Greta Hoffmeister.
Mackenzie Jones, a high school senior, received the Darien Art Center Ginny Wright Scholarship, a full four-year scholarship to study art. She received the scholarship based on a portfolio of her work. Her brother won the award three years ago, and Mackenzie was “pleasantly surprised” to win it this year.
She said that travel serves as a large inspiration for her art; the gritty portraits that she took while on a trip to Costa Rica demonstrate this interest.
Mackenzie will attend the University of Vermont next year, and is planning to double major in art and environmental science.
Helen Klisser During judged the adults’ pieces. First place prizewinners were Anne Anderson for oils & acrylics, Robert Carley for color photography, Pierre Lahausssois for black and white photography, Pat Atkin for sculpture, Stan Pastore for watercolor, Lori Glavin for mixed media and Lisa Thoren for pastels, graphics & drawing. Mary Morant won best in show with her piece “Chocolate Cake.”
Glavin said that she liked “the mixture between kids and adults” that the Art Show displayed. She explained that much of her art is inspired from being a mom and from finding beauty in the everyday objects of domestic life.
Thoren, who will become president of the Darien Arts Center next year, said she was happy to be represented among the towns best artists and to be part of the “phenomenal growth” that is occurring in the Darien Arts Community.
The art from the show will stay open for public viewing until Saturday, June 12.