Beaufort Art Association’s 54th annual Spring Exhibit and Sale is now in its final days. The Show opened last Saturday, March 21 and will continue until Saturday, March 28 at Old Bay Marketplace Loft located at 917 Bay Street in Downtown Beaufort. The Loft is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and entry is free of charge. Last week local artist and educator, Amiri Geuka Farris judged over 150 works of art by some of the finest artists in Beaufort. As sun streamed into the exhibit space, Mr. Farris looked for both technical excellent and creativity as he selected his top choices.

This year Best in Show was awarded to <strong>Joan Templer</strong> for “Dearly Beloved”, a striking monotone acrylic painting.

1st Place – Bill Cochrane Memorial Award: <strong>Mary Segars</strong> for “The Catch, A Young Fisherman in Mozambique”

2nd Place – Stuart Jones Memorial Award: <strong>Gloria Dalvini</strong> for “Side Gate”

3rd Place – Dennis Fuller Memorial Award: <strong>Robert Ryzner</strong> for “Rousseau Revisted”

Carroll Stevenson Memorial Award for Watermedia: <strong>Audrey Montgomery</strong> for “Saltwater Tackle”

Rick Stevenson Memorial Award for Photography: <strong>Ed Funk</strong> for “Misty Morning”

Hamption Wildlife Fund Natural Resources Award: <strong>Larry Kay</strong> for “Great Egret with Breeding Plumage and Babies”

BAA Founders Award: <strong>Pat Kelly</strong> for “Put on a Happy Face”

Gay Torrey Mixed Media Award: <strong>Lynn Brown</strong> for “Flourish”

Letty Lee Saville Award: <strong>Cynthia Zeiss</strong> for Just Imagine

Joy Keyserling Award: <strong>Frank Anson</strong> for Tuba Bowl Take 2

Leith Paul Trask Award: <strong>Robert Steinmetz</strong> for “Tethered II”

E. Carew Rice Award: <strong>Sandy Dimke</strong> for “Havana: Through the Windshield”

Evelyn Neidich Award: <strong>Mary Ann Putzier</strong> for “Tree Nymph”

Norm Green Award: <strong>Tommie Tonier</strong> for “A River Runs Through It”

Beaufort High, Battery Creek and Whale Branch High Schools also submitted over 100 works of art for the exhibit and judging. Best in Show for the High Schools: <strong>Rose Stewart</strong> (Beaufort High) for “A Freckled Reflection”. Other high school winners include <strong>Hakim Griffin</strong>, <strong>Jenny Mossage</strong>, <strong>Annette Burkey</strong>, <strong>Morris Williams</strong> and<strong> Joy Green</strong>.

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