Best in Show
Best in Show
Tri-County Arts Council announces winners of ‘A Little Something Small’
OLEAN - The Tri-County Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the “A Little Something Small,” the third annual juried small works show, which is taking place now in the Peg Bothner Gallery, located at 110 W. State St. in Olean.
Now in its third year, the TCAC’s Small Works Show features more artists and pieces than ever before, and according to Sean Huntington, exhibition coordinator, this year’s selection is incredible. “Every year, this has grown,” he said. “In the first year, we had approximately 100 pieces, and in the second year, we had 130. This year, we have almost 150 pieces and the quality is amazing - these artists just keep topping themselves!”
Winners were selected by Sean P. Conklin, Assistant Curator at the Regina A. Quick Center at St. Bonaventure University, from 146 works of art created by 46 member artists. The award winners are:
Best in Show: Melissa Locke for "Mask on Fire”,
Best Professional Artist: Barbara Fox for "Daisy Still Life”
Honorable Mention, Professional Artist: Ed Green for "Horsehair Raku”
Best Amateur Artist: Denise Schneider for “Flow"
Honorable Mention, Amateur Artist: Beverly Amborski for "Morning Mist”
People’s Choice Award (selected by audience vote): Noah Howard for "Queen of Doom"
Each award winner will receive a cash prize and a year’s Artisan Membership, which allows the artist the opportunity to sell in the TCAC’s Artisan Market.
From now until January 14, the public is invited to view more than 140 pieces of artwork submitted by over 50 different artists from Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties. Each piece is available to purchase in person or online at www.tricountyartscouncil.org, and a portion of each sale supports the arts council.
Artwork ranges from watercolor, gouache, oil painting, photography pottery, jewelry, sculpture, stained glass, and more. Each participating artist submitted one to three pieces of artwork under 12”x12”, and some have already sold out. This year’s participating artists include: Samantha Aldrich, Beverly Amborski, John Balacki, Wendy Bale, Karen Barber, Jessica Ellen Boice, Elizabeth Booth, Ann Brantingham, Rose Brawn, Victoria Eckley Brown, Michelle Capizzi, Dianne Clark, Robin Zefers Clark, Lisa Conklin Conn, Lisa Eppolito, Karen Fitzpatrick, Ruth Flood, Barbara Fox, Patricia Shannon Gay, Sherri Geary, Ed Green, Lyn Harris, Lynn Heckathorn, Theresa Heinz, Noah Howard, Sean Huntington, Elliott Hutten, Ashley LaBombard, Bonnie Leigh, Melissa Locke, Myriam Mayshark, Keith McKale, Peter Midgley, Lilly Thiell Milliman, Nicole Missel, Jean Nevinger, Violet Nolder, Eva Potter, Caroly Raine, Lynzie Rinamon, Denise Schneider, Paul Schonhart, Brooke Shumway, Geraldine Nash Smith, Michael O. Smith, Melissa Stitzer, Jenn Stillman, Deb Stillson Travis, Darlene Subulski, Tara Walker, Eileen Weishan, Michael Weishan, Mikel Wintermantel, Jennifer Wolbert, Jon Wolsky, and Holly Zendarski.
While some pieces have already sold, over 90 works are still on display in the Peg Bothner Gallery of the TCAC from now until January 14. Every purchase supports the TCAC, as well as local artists who have invested their time and talent in creating these one-of-a-kind pieces. “This show is a wonderful way for local artists to introduce themselves to new collectors,” said Huntington. “We have an impressive community of artists in this area.”
The Tri-County Arts Council advocates the creation and appreciation of arts and culture in the region. To learn more or view artwork in the show, visit www.tricountyartscouncil.org and follow the TCAC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.