For the past 50 years, artists from near and far have submitted their best works to the annual Beaufort County Arts Council’s Fine Arts Show. This year, the organization’s name has changed and the art is only getting better, according to Joey Toler, executive director of Arts of the Pamlico.

“The entries are down, but the quality is way up,” Toler said. “And we have a significant amount of new artists.”

The show officially opens to the public today kicks off the many events associated with Washington’s annual barbecue festival, Smoke on the Water. The exhibit will be on display in the Turnage Theatre gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.

This year’s fine arts show represents a departure, and not just in name. For many years, the show was held in the Washington Civic Center. When Arts of the Pamlico staffers were faced with holding an offsite exhibit for a second year running, they decided they were up to fitting so much art in the smaller Turnage space.

“It was (a challenge), but because the entries were down, it all fell into place easily,” Toler said. “We had a plan but we didn’t know if it would work until we put it together and were pleasantly surprised that it did work.”

Tall latticework carving out the space of the gallery features non-juried works, while this year’s winners are hung on the walls. Fritzi Huber, a Wilmington artist and the show’s jurist, will host a juror’s critique Friday at 7 p.m., in which she will explain the process by which she chose this year’s winners.

All those visiting the exhibit are also asked to vote for the William E. Kidd People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Hester Anne Kidd and family. Visitors are asked to vote for any work they believe should be recognized among the non-juried works in the show. Voting closes Saturday at 4 p.m. and the winner announced before the show closes at 5 p.m.

Also included in this year’s show is a chance to win a painting donated by local artist Gale Champion.

Toler said that for many years, the arts council and Smoke on the Water have existed side by side in an effort to share audiences and give residents and visitors an event-filled experience.

“The Fine Arts Show is a great introduction to a fun weekend in Washington,” Toler said.

 

JURIED WORK for the 51st Annual Fine Arts Show presented by Arts of the Pamlico

 

Best in Show — (Frances M. and William R. Roberson Jr. Award)

“Preparing for the Race” by Terry Rosenfelder, Wilmington

 

Best Entry by a Beaufort County Artist — Margaret Hodges Hackney Award

“Fog on the Pamlico” by John Chrystal, Belhaven

 

Textile Award (Franke K. Rumley Award)

“Desert Zen Tangle” by Valerie Lynch, Greenville

 

Washington Garden Club Members’ Memorial Award — The Garden World (Given by Washington Garden Club)

“Sunflowers” by Molly Emanuel, Chocowinity

 

The Young Ones Award — Age 35 and under (Given by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Young)

“Rose” by Mandy Lannon

 

Best Landscape in Watercolor (Richard W. Tripp Award)

“Inspired by a Ride in a Combine” by Nancy Scoble, Washington

 

The People Prize — for entry in any media depicting a person or people (Given by the estate of Louise and Harold Lane)

“Jacques Cousteau” by John Chrystal, Belhaven

 

Pottery Award — Irene Glover Forbes Award

“Sunning on the River” by Carolyn Sleeper, Washington

 

Creative Illusions — Award for Best Entry for Abstract Work (Given by Lynne Anderson)

“Autumn Marsh” by Ranae Rogerson, Goldsboro

 

Awards with selections made by award grantors:

 

East Carolina Wildfowl Guild Award — Best entry depicting N.C. wildlife

”Four Afloat” by Carol Mann, Chocowinity

 

Sound Rivers Award — Best entry that expresses the river as a valuable asset

“Remember” by Patricia Zeggert, Washington

 

THREE DIMENSIONAL

 

First Place

Val MacEwan, Washington — “Esther Williams Reliquary”

 

Second Place

Carolyn Sleeper, Washington — “Pamlico River Bounty”

 

Third Place

Chip Shackelford, Bath — “Fire and Art”

 

Honorable Mentions

Debby McCullough, Winterville — “Tree Patterns”

Don Hulcher, Chocowinity — “Curly Maple Table”

Allan Weaver, Chocowinity — “Assent”

Doris Schneider, Washington — “Peacock Blues”

 

WATERCOLORS

 

First Place

Jeffrey A. Jakub, Washington — “Crystal Empire”

 

Second Place

Isabel Farrell, Washington — “Storm Coming”

 

Third Place

Verena H. Murvin, Newport — “The Love of Iris”

 

Honorable Mentions

Pat Holscher, Washington — “Food Groupies”

Cora Mae Pipkin, Stacy — “Off Balance”

Lisa Smith-Gargaro, Washington — “Show Off”

Jeffrey A. Jakub, Washington — “Double Diva”

Jeffrey A. Jakub, Washington — “Prickly Pear Cactus”

Linda Boyer, Washington — “Castle Island”

Debby McCullough, Winterville — “Standing Watch”

Peter Hickey, Winterville — “Crew Racing”

Debby McCullough, Winterville — “Sailing School-Closed”

Nancy Scoble, Washington — “Wetlands – NC”

Dale Harsh, Chocowinity — “Tobacco Barn”

 

GRAPHICS/OPEN MIXED MEDIA

 

First Place

Ginger Gehres, Chocowinity — “A Moment Shared”

 

Second Place

Hannah Craven Natour, Raleigh — “16 Strings and a Drum”

 

Third Place

Shenavery Cherry, Greenville — “Mr. Pete, the Gardener”

 

Honorable Mentions

Norm Robins, New Bern — “Move to My Rhythm”

Pat Carlson, Chocowinity — “Winter Barn”

Jean Dexter, Oriental — “The Map to Joy”

Pat Carlson, Chocowinity — “Fall Mountain”

L. Lively, Washington — “Lee”

Jon Derby, New Bern — “Oh, That Hair”

Penny Craven, Kinston — “Saint Vollis”

Hannah Craven Natour, Raleigh — “Ride Away With Me”

Hannah Craven Natour, Raleigh — “Sing for Yellow Tea”

Marcia Streithorst, Wake Forest — “Boat”

 

OILS AND ACRYLICS

 

First Place

John Groesser, Grimesland — “A Buoy Marks the Spot”

 

Second Place

Karen Lee Crenshaw, Jacksonville — “Marsh in Autumn V”

 

Third Place

Dorothy McLennan, Scotland Neck — “Come Fly With Us”

 

Honorable Mentions

Terry Rosenfelder, Jacksonville — “Musical Morning”

Dodi Groesser, Grimesland — “The Docked Duck”

Karen Lee Crenshaw, Jacksonville — “Lighthouse at Edenton”

Mandy Lannon, Washington — “Abnormalities”

John Groesser, Grimesland — “NC Sunset”

Dodi Groesser, Grimesland — “The Cottage”

James E. Leggett, Washington — “Water Floating Down Stream”

John Groesser, Grimesland — “Waiting for a Breeze”

Karen Lee Crenshaw, Jacksonville — “Sunlight and Shadow on the Cotton Field”

Susan Owens, Roper — “Beijing Koi”

Claudia Hackney, Washington — “Rudy”

Stephen Greer, Jacksonville — “Bloodmoon”

Beth Clark, Greenville — “White-Faced Poppy”

Don Miller, Blounts Creek — “Continuum”

Cynthia Bickley-Green, Greenville — “Melodius Laughing Thrush”