Bainbridge Art Show closes with awards

The Jericho Arts Council's 2007 Annual Fine Arts Show closed on Sunday, May 6th, with a reception for the artists. The weeklong exhibit, which was held in the Town Hall Gallery in Bainbridge, was viewed by an estimated 300 visitors to the show. Nearly $1,000 in prize monies was awarded to the winners in four categories as well as to the Best of Show and People's Choice winners.

Judges Charlene Walling and Jean Tyson selected David Baxter's pastel drawing entitled "Fragile" as the Best of Show. Baxter, who resides in Castle Creek, NY, has been exhibiting works in this medium since 2005. In addition to his work and shows, he is currently earning an Associate's Degree in Studio Art and Design at Broome Community College and plans to continue on for a B.F.A. He recently received the Michael Tanzer Memorial Award for Excellence in Art and Design.

Visitors to the show cast their ballots for their favorite piece, with the winner receiving the People's Choice award. This year, the people's favorite was an oil painting entitled "Woodland Pixie" by Afton artist Scott Higby. A native of Lowville, NY, Higby teaches art at Afton Central School. He has worked as a professional artist for 15 years, and has a Master's of Art Degree from SUNY Oswego. Higby works in a variety of media but prefers oils, and people are the subject matter of much of his work.

First Place awards went to Ty Steinbacher's "Late Afternoon Sun" in the Oil & Acrylic category, to Julie Pollak's painting "The Dead Bird" in the Watercolor and Gouache category, to Joseph Eskow's linocut entitled "Uptown Ave." in the Drawing and Graphics category, and to Carien Schippers' "The Herd" in the Photography category. Steinbacher, a resident of Walton, has made his living as an artist since his youth. His paintings have shown in a variety of venues, and have been recognized nationally for excellence. He has won several awards previously in the Jericho Arts Council's annual show. Julie Pollak of Oneonta decided to show her work for the first time by entering our show, and the judges chose to award two prizes to her in the watercolor category. "Dead Bird" won first place in the category, and "Spider Plant in Old Pot" won third place. Joseph Eskow, a Bainbridge resident and long time participant in the annual show , also won more than one award this year. In addition to his first place win with "Uptown Ave.", his painting "Jersey Shore" won third place in the Oil and Acrylic category. Carien Schippers of Walton was another newcomer to the Bainbridge Art Show this year. Her photograph entitled "The Herd" was a stunning shot of a horse drive in Colorado. Schippers is a professional equine photographer.