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THE POST~CRESCENT |
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| Appleton | Fox Cities, Wisconsin |
Life & Style |
Friday, April 27, 2007 |
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Posted
April 27, 2007 The Post-Crescent The talents of Wisconsin’s artists are on display this weekend. The 27th annual Fine Arts Exhibition at Secura Insurance takes place today through Sunday at the insurance company’s offices on S. Memorial Drive in Appleton.Coordinated by the Appleton Art Center, the exhibit showcases some of the state’s top artists in a judged competition. Ninety works were selected from a pool of more than 180 paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, and works in mixed media. All work is for sale and a portion of each sale benefits exhibitions and programs at Appleton Art Center. The exhibition also features recent works by Oshkosh artist Leif Larson, the “best of show” winner in 2006. “I am impressed by the quality and depth of the submissions for this exhibition. The judge had his work cut out for him to select 90 works for the show,” said Appleton Art Center executive director Timothy Riley. “Last year’s top award winner, Leif Larson, has 12 works installed in the beautiful atrium on the Secura campus. When I spoke with Leif earlier this week, he was exhibiting work in Napa Valley, Calif. — I told him that the Secura atrium might top that.” The majority of the artists work and live in northeastern Wisconsin, but applications were received from La Crosse, Madison, and as far away as Santa Fe, New Mexico. Those who attend will see a variety of styles, from abstract watercolors to highly technical representative oil paintings. “The Secura exhibition provides a fantastic opportunity for local artists to showcase their work,” said John Bykowski, Secura president and CEO. “This is our 27th year, but each event offers a new experience. These artists contribute so much to our community culturally. This exhibit is a great way to recognize and celebrate their talent.” The Secura show awards cash prizes for first, second, third place and the coveted “best of show” award. Ten works are also recognized with honorable mention awards. Winners were announced at Appleton Art Center on Thursday evening by chief judge Ben Reinhart, assistant professor of art at Lawrence University. Award winners include: Best of Show: ($400 cash prize) Michelle Richeson for Brushmakers 2, oil painting. First Place: ($300 cash prize) Pat Bishop for Dog Bone, fiber work. Second Place: $200 cash prize) Greg Bracken Ollie at Ten, oil painting. Third Place: ($100 cash prize) Leonard Nagler for Crooked Houses, oil painting. Honorable Mention: Sally Berner, Mary Ann Carter, Patricia Gondek, James Larson, Michele Missner, Lee Mothes, Michael D. Reif, Kimberly Schonfeld, Russell Schwindt, and Judith Tomter. The exhibition is open from 4-8 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. The awards ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Sunday. Secura is located at 2401 S. Memorial Drive.
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