The Monson Arts Council will soon celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Spring Art Exhibition, the event is free to the public and will showcase an assortment of fine art, as well as a number of workshops.
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts residents will soon have an opportunity to appreciate fine art and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Spring Art Exhibition with the Monson Arts Council.
The Art Exhibition and Sale, Vision as Voice ~ The Artist Speaks weekends will display 120 + works of art in nine different rooms at the House of Art, located at 200 Main Street in Monson. The show will be held March 23 through April 14, Saturday’s:10am - 5pm and Sunday’s:1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding Easter weekend).
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, the Art Exhibition will also include: a writing workshop, Microbrewery Beer Tasting and a live Bluegrass Concert, as well as poetry, decorating, and academic painting workshops.
Previously, this cultural event was a small invitational show, however, despite the recession it has flourished into a regional art exhibit and attracts artists from a number of different states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and even as far south as the Sunshine State.
“Over the past twenty years the Monson Arts show has gone from a small local event to one of the largest juried Art shows in the region. The show offers a great assortment of very high quality art. It has gone from the stone age to the digital age and is still growing,” said David A. Dupuis, co-coordinator of the event.
Selected jurors with an array of cultural experiences are responsible for selecting the art work, as well as the major prizes. $1,000 Best of Show and First and Second prizes in Painting, Photography, Drawing, Sculpture and Printmaking are on offer to the applicants.
This year, Carol Guthrie, a Springfield native and renowned artist, writer and educator will be joined by Beth Reynolds, very experienced in photography and the current owner of The Photo-Documentary Press, inc. in Northfield MA. Ruth Sanderson, an award-winning illustrator of over 75 books for children will complete the panel for the 2013 Spring Art Exhibition.
Aside from these awards, the President’s Choice will be selected by Steven Lowell, President of Monson Savings Bank and receive $300, the Shepherd Family Award will be chosen by Barbara Shepherd and will be awarded $300, the Committee Choice will be selected by Committee Ballot and win $200 and other smaller prizes will also available.
“This year there is over $4,300 in prize money. Since it's the 20th Anniversary we are also holding more events to coincide with the show. Due to demand we have extended the show an additional weekend this year so it runs each weekend from March 23 through April 14 (except March 30th),” Dupuis said.
The primary sponsor of this spring exhibition is Monson Savings Bank who has provided the majority of the prizes. Additional sponsors include: Valley Advocate/Preview Magazine, Johnsens Catering, The Shepherd Family, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Roberts & Sons Printing, Westfield River Brewery, Lazy Valley Winery, and Giclee of New England.
“Without our very generous sponsors we probably would not be able to have the art show. Since we are a nonprofit organization we rely solely on volunteers. The culture of the Art Show Committee is one of welcoming cooperation. We have folks from all walks of life with a common goal of providing an opportunity for artist to share their amazing work.”
For more information and a full agenda for the 20th Annual Spring Art Exhibition please visit: MonsonArtsCouncil.com
The Jiggler by Gregory Rogers of Dorchester, MA.