REBECCA PUTTERMAN - rputterman@newsobserver.com
From left: Dorothy Demboski, Missy Naums and Kathleen Nobles admire the photography entries at the Clayton Visual Arts Art Faire.
CLAYTON -- “Crazy Shoes,” an oil painting by Wendell artist Susan Brabeau, made a fashion statement Thursday night by taking home one of the top honors at the 14th annual Clayton Art Faire.
The painting earned Barabeau the Margaret Ritchie Award of Excellence in fine art at a reception held at The Clayton Center and hosted by Clayton Visual Arts, the competition’s sponsor.
Rhonda Peters, a photographer from Goldsboro, was also honored with an Award of Excellence in photography for “In Tune.” Her color photograph featured a tuning fork atop a sheet of music against a wood background.
“I wanted to do something musical,” Peters said. “I like the idea of using objects that you don’t see very often.”
Brabeau is no a stranger to winning. Last year she captured both a Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice award for her painting “And the Blue Ribbon Goes to .... .” This year’s entry depicted two little boys, one on a scooter and another with a dog, along with an elderly woman warily admiring a rack of colorful footwear outside a shoe-repair shop.
Judging was by artist Eric McRay and photographer Susan Bailey, both of Raleigh.
“This work, though done in a realistic manner, goes beyond realism in composition and content – and it works,” McRay said of Brabeau’s winning entry. “The colors are exquisite. I appreciate the time and technical skill required to create the work.”
Both winners received a $750 prize. The awards are named for the late newspaper editor who helped found CVA.
“I loved winning this prize,” Brabeau said. “I am always grateful to get recognition for my work,”
Three $100 Judge’s Choice awards were also handed out, all won by Clayton residents. Jeff Horton was recognized for his photograph, “The Rockies in July,” Carolyn Howard for a mixed-media piece titled “Tree Of Life/Family of Man” and pen and ink artist Christopher Roberts for “Buffalo Road”.
Organizers estimated about 175 people attend the reception. This was the event’s largest turnout with 63 entries, 37 of themfrom Clayton. It attracted artists from seven counties across the state.
“This is a great opportunity for local artists to show their stuff,” said CVA president Larry Strevig. “It’s what we’re all about. Our mission is to bring art to the people of Clayton.”
All entries in the 2012 CVA Art Fair will hang on display in the lobby of the Clayton Center, 111 E. 2nd St., until Oct. 1. It is free and open to the public.
