Seacoast Artist Association Announces Annual Award Winners
Arts & Entertainment
Seacoast Artist Association Announces Annual Award Winners Out of more than 120 entries, 1st went to Barbara McGrath for her watercolor "So Proud to Be Haitian." A reception will be held Nov. 8.EXETER, NH — The Seacoast Artist Association in Exeter has announced the winners of their Annual Members Awards show being held at the Town Hall in downtown Exeter. These were chosen from over 120 entries.
This year's juror was Matt Siegal of Bedford, Massachusetts. Mr. Siegal received a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He left studio art in 1988 to pursue a thirty-three-year career as a museum professional. Mr. Siegal's work has been centered on managing museum exhibitions and collections, traveling exhibitions around the globe, including a 20-year partnership with the Nagoya Boston Museum of Fine Arts in Nagoya, Japan. He is currently the President and Executive Director of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Lexington, MA. He feels strongly about infusing the arts into every aspect of civic life, and firmly believes that the arts are necessary and critical to a just, open and sustainable society.
First place has gone to Barbara McGrath for her watercolor "So Proud to Be Haitian."
"This portrait flowed right out of my brushes! I've come to know this child, Cedric, through the Haitian folkloric dance company with which our daughter has been working for many years. His father, who is the Haitian director of that company, has surrounded him with love, and a safe, nurturing home. Cedric has been immersed in his native culture while learning to fully enjoy and appreciate his life in the US. He's a beautiful child whose smile is a window into his caring soul.
Second prize went to Marcia Trahan for her oil "Angelique's Cornwall."
"Like many fellow landscape painters, I am irresistibly drawn to dramatic long views, shifting light and skies, rich color - and most of all - romantic dreams of travel. In this painting, thanks to a generously shared photograph by artist Angelique Luro, my brushes, my imagination and I have been able to roam the ancient hills and hedgerows of beautiful, verdant Cornwall. I hope I have captured a slice of what Angelique witnessed and I have felt."
Debra Woodward of North Hampton won third prize for her oil, "Mrs. Shapiro Makes the Hanukkah Latkes." This painting shows the longtime actor who plays Jewish immigrant Mrs. Shapiro at her coal stove in the 1795 Shapiro House at Strawbery Banke during the Candlelight Stroll.
The two Honorable Mentions Awards went to Lynn Krumholz of Chester for her oil and cold wax painting, "Waiting," and to Rich Page of Exeter for the acrylic of his daughter "Christine."
Meet these and many other SAA artists at their "Second Friday" reception on Nov. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. with an Awards Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. The SAA gallery on Water Street will also be holding a reception that evening from 5-7 p.m. SAA Members Awards Show will be held at the Town Hall over two more weekends, through Nov. 17, from 12-4 p.m.
The Exeter Town Hall is located at 10 Front St., and the gallery is on the second floor. Email questions to and for updates please follow the SAA on Facebook.
Submitted by the Seacoast Artist Association.
