There’s still time to see the “2024 Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty Art Show,” hosted by the Granby Land Trust (GLT) and the Granby Artists Association (GAA) at Lost Acres Vineyard in North Granby. Visit during Vineyard hours: 12 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7, or 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, to see art inspired by nature, including picturesque scenes from across New England, as well as scenes you will recognize from right in our backyard. It is a reminder of how very lucky we are to live in such a beautiful corner of the world.
At the show’s opening night, GLT President Rick Orluk commended all the entering artists for their courage and thanked them for helping us slow down and appreciate nature’s beauty. “It’s a joy to work with these talented artists, and we so appreciate their participation,” says Orluk. “We host this show to remind people of the natural beauty that surrounds us, and of the importance of preserving our natural landscape for future generations. We hope visitors will be inspired to purchase art [with a portion of proceeds going to the GLT], and also to join the Granby Land Trust, to support the work we do going forward.”
The feedback from entering artists has been very positive, with some calling this show one of the premiere art shows in the region. Thanks to the incredible generosity of GLT’s friends, the show now offers more than $5,000 in award money. This year, 183 pieces of original artwork were submitted for consideration. Gabrielle Robinson, director of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, had the difficult task of jurying the show. Knowing only so many pieces can fit in the space, she was forced to decline 60 percent of the entries. Upon completion of this difficult task, Robinson said, “It was a privilege to jury the 17th edition of this show, and I was truly impressed by the high caliber of submissions from artists across various mediums. The depictions of classic New England landscapes featuring gentle vistas, serene ponds, cascading waterfalls and charming farmhouses are particularly striking in their seasonal diversity. These works evoke a deep connection to our local heritage and inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world.”
Awards
The winner of the 2024 show’s top prize, the Don and Marty Wilmot Award, was Thomas Adkins for his oil painting, View of Mount Mansfield. Jim Laurino was awarded the Granby Land Trust Award for his oil painting titled Holcomb Hill View, depicting the Sadoce Wilcox House which sits on the GLT’s Wilcox Family Preserve at the base of Holcomb Hill Road in West Granby.
Twelve additional prizes were awarded as follows: William Simpson won the Sandy and Dave Schupp Award for I Dreamt the Salmon Were Back. Leif Nilsson won the Austin McNey Award given by Karen, Scott and Patrick McNey for Inner Light Old Saybrook. Kristen Cormier won the Granby Artists Association Award for Moon Bath. Donna Jean Shaw won the Helen and Al Wilke Award for Hidden Creatures. Beverly Corriveau won the Mildred Dewey Award, given by Jenny and Dave Emery, for My Lupine. The Ray Betts Award, given by Carol and Greg Reid, went to Lisa Tellier for Wind on the Water. Stephen Gerling won the Tudor and Laura Holcomb Award, given by Nannie and Put Brown, for Winter’s Coming – Nightingale Brook. Elizabeth Lazaren Daglio won the Olof Stevenson Award, given by Jamie Gamble, for Dismal Brook on Horseback. Marianne Berman won the Matthew K. Orluk Award, given by Trish Percival and Rick Orluk, for Birds of a Feather. The William Stewart Award, given by Dave and Judy Russell, went to Del-Bouree Back for Woodland Rest. Carole Hartwell won the Carol and Dick Caley Award for Kent Falls in the Mist. Kristin Lang won the Bud Murtha Photography Award, given by Shirley Murtha, for Tulmeadow Farm, Twilight. The People’s Choice Award, given by Lost Acres Vineyard (and decided based on votes submitted by visitors to the Vineyard throughout the course of the show) has not yet been determined. Vote for your favorite through Dec. 7!
The Land Trust is grateful to show sponsors Mark and Barb Wetzel, and Ted Cormier of ALIRT Insurance Research, LLC, for their ongoing, loyal support of the show. In addition, the Land Trust thanks the many volunteers who helped organize the show and its opening night; the Granby Artists Association for its ongoing support of the show, including the difficult task of hanging the artwork; and the generous GLT supporters who fund the awards each year (see the award listing for a full list). The GLT sends a special shout out to GLT member Maggie Percival who volunteered to find us a caterer for opening night and ended up creating all the spectacular food herself when no caterer could be found; and Tony Capelli, a Granby resident, who donates his time each year to create stunning floral displays for the show. This year’s display—a giant willow branch adorned with floral orbs—was the perfect accent piece, reflecting the fun yet sophisticated tone of the show. Finally, the GLT thanks Michelle Niedermeyer and Kevin Riggott of Lost Acres Vineyard for hosting the show, for funding the People’s Choice Award, and for welcoming us into their beautiful space.
Of the show, Juror Gab Robinson, director of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts said, “Each piece selected offers a unique interpretation of themes such as conservation, sustainability and the interplay between nature and humanity.”
Submitted by Trish Percival