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Art association holds awards reception

BEST OF SHOW — Gerald Van Scyoc took Best of Show honors for his oil painting titled “The Third Sign of Fire” at the Steubenville Art Association’s 73rd-annual spring exhibit. There were 164 entries in the show judged by Michael Schiavone. -- Janice Kiaski

STEUBENVILLE — “The overall quality of submitted artwork was beyond impressive,” wrote Michael Schiavone, juror for the Steubenville Art Association’s 73rd-annual spring exhibit at Eastern Gateway Community College.

“I was surprised anew with each piece I encountered during the jurying process. I am encouraged and inspired by the artists’ dedication to technique and craftsmanship,” Schiavone continued his written comments in the program booklet. “The future of the visual arts in this region is bright and enduring.”

Visitors browsing the 164 entries in the show under way at EGCC could hardly argue such an assessment as they admired the works in everything from oil, acrylic and pen and ink to pastel, collage and water color.

The awards reception held Saturday was occasion to honor Schiavone’s top picks with Gerald Van Scyoc taking Best of Show honors for his oil painting titled “The Third Sign of Fire.”

Jeanne D’Anniballe, association president, presented awards to Van Scyoc and several other winners, with merit award recipients being Deanna Irvin, Gina Judy, Rita Schultheis, John Doughty, Dean Mossor, Jon Cooper, Alan Fitzpatrick and Robert Graham.

Honorable mention recognition went to Martha Davis Rice, Margaret Lily, Joyce Beatty, Paula Siebieda, Greg Siegwart, William Koch, Mary Ann Reese, Linda Ard, Robert L. Watson Jr. and Michelle Mulligan.

Margaret Geroch received the Gatts/Wilson Memorial Award and Amber Evans, the James Kaufmann Memorial Award.

D’Anniballe introduced Jim Miller, the college’s vice president of administration, and thanked EGCC for its hospitality and support in showcasing the event, which visitors can come to the college and see through May 11, weekdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from noon to 4 p.m. on May 4. The college is closed on Sundays.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to host the event,” Miller said of what he described as “such a wonderful event for the community.” Jim Watson, longtime art exhibit chairman, noted in the program booklet that, “It is always an event that amazes me — so much talent and such amazing work.”

D’Anniballe expressed gratitude to Watson’s chairmanship of the show with assistance from his wife, Joann, — “it’s amazing what they do” — and to Gina, SAA vice president, for recruiting workshop leaders for the association’s meetings. She also thanked Jerry Barilla and Judy Bratten of Historic Fort Steuben for their assistance and support of the association.

The public can cast their votes for the People’s Choice award, with voting ending at 5 p.m. on May 11. A $1 vote buys three votes: Vote 1, three points; vote two, two points; and vote three, one point. The winner with the most votes receives half the pot and the SAA the other.

The Steubenville Art Association originally was the Alpha Art Club organized in 1946 by Emma Hayhurst, an artist from childhood despite having been crippled by polio. She gave art lessons in her home studio in Brilliant. The club became the SAA in 1957 through a name change vote and was incorporated on April 25, 1963.

The program cover artwork is the handiwork of Virginia Price, one of the original members of the art association. Price took lessons in 1948 from Hayhurst.

Anyone is welcome to join the SAA with an individual membership being $25. Checks can be made payable to the Steubenville Art Association and mailed to P.O. Box 1061, Steubenville, OH 43952. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. Third St., Steubenville, on the third Wednesday of each month, except for January, February and August.

Officers, aside from D’Anniballe and Judy are Suzan Corder, treasurer, and Michelle Martello, recording secretary. Arlene MacQuown, Francesca Veltri and Joann Watson are trustees.

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