Dare County Arts Council was a full house on Saturday, January 27 with hundreds of people attending the opening reception of the 40th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show.

Louisa, VA based artist Sharon Shapiro and a panel of judges from The Beach Book carefully selected the following award winners from 100 entries:

Eure Best in Show: Mike Bennett “Savannah” (oil on canvas)

Excellence Awards: Gretchen Hargis “Between the Drops” (acrylic), Peggy Saporito “Stars of Spring” (watercolor), and Rob Snyder “Sandcastle Virtue” (oil/acrylic)

Beach Book Cover Excellence Award: Eileen Tullner “Queen Elizabeth II” (watercolor)

Honorable Mentions: Travis Fowler “Untitled Undulation” (acrylic/gold leaf), Judith Saunders “Serendipity” (random weave copper), and Bobby Wiltshire “Route 158” (watercolor),

People’s Choice Award: Laine McGuire “Take A Knee” (acrylic and spray paint on reverse glass)

“I was really impressed with the entries, and could have given many more awards,” said judge Sharon Shapiro. “I chose pieces that showed both originality and technical mastery for the awards. What I liked most about the piece I chose for Best in Show was that you don’t know what she is thinking so you can insert emotions into the piece.”

Self-taught, Williamston, NC based artist Mike Bennett won the 2018 Eure Best In Show award.

“I am honored to win Best In Show,” said artist Mike Bennett. “I have been painting all of my life, but I am just getting back into the art world and I am happy to be back. The 40th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show is my first public show away from home in a really long time.”

The annual show is held in memory of Outer Banks preservationist and artist Frank Stick, and is the longest running visual arts exhibit in Dare County. The Frank Stick Memorial Art Show will remain on display at the DCAC Gallery through Saturday, February 24.

A special thank you to The Beach Book, The Cameron House Inn, Michael Halminski Photography, Seagreen Gallery, and Outer Banks This Week for sponsoring the show.

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information about upcoming Dare County Arts Council events and exhibitions, please call (252) 473-5558.

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