COLUMNS

Meg Loncharic: Barber show artworks garner awards

Staff Writer
Erie Times-News
"Made it to Times Square," a mixed media and acrylic piece by Cynthia Lyons of Erie, captured Best of Show in the overall category for adult artists in this year's Jay & Mona Kang Virtual Art Show & Sale held by the Barber National Institute.

The Jay & Mona Kang Virtual Art Show & Sale brought visitors from across the country to view what was the first online exhibit in the event’s 14-year history.

Organizers at the Barber National Institute, who had taken in the artwork in early March, switched to the online platform to continue the tradition in the midst of restrictions against large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The judges made their selections from more than 280 adult entries and more than 110 youth submissions.

“We saw that we had some wonderful artwork and were committed to sharing that with the community,” said Bridget Barber, vice president for external affairs at the Barber National Institute. “During the show, we could see purchases and comments being made at all hours, and knew that people were enjoying the show when it fit into their schedules. We are really grateful for that support.”

What would be an art show without awards for the artists? A panel of three local judges took days to review all of the work online and determine cash prize winners for the work of adult and youth artists that were announced in an online-presentation. Prize ribbons and certificates were also awarded.

In a statement from the judges read during the online awards presentation, the panel noted that, while viewing the artwork may have been a little more difficult to do virtually, they agreed that they were able to take more time to look over each piece and then share their thoughts about the entries that resonated with each of them.

In choosing artwork for awards, they said they considered the medium and how the artist used it, originality, detail in the piece and whether it would be interesting for others to enjoy.

The Best of Show and Honorable Mention awards were determined for an overall category that included paintings, sculptures, mixed media and other works, as well as a category for photography.

The Best of Show in the adult category was presented for “Made it to Times Square,” a mixed media and acrylic piece by Cynthia Lyons of Erie.

Honorable mention awards were given for “Retired Memories,” a painting by Corey Thompson of Erie; “The Journey,” a welded steel sculpture by Robert Harris of Falconer, New York; and “Presque Isle Lagoon Kayaker,” an oil painting by Sheila Coon of Erie.

The Best of Show Award in photography was presented for “Mischief Managed” by Sarah Perino of Erie, with an honorable mention conferred on “Love at First Sight” by Christine French of North East.

The Best of Show in the youth artist division was presented for “Pancake Deluxe,” a drawing in pencil by Jasmine Chen, a senior at Villa Maria Academy.

Youth honorable mention awards were presented for “Enid,” a drawing in markers by Mallory Riley, a sixth-grade student at Walnut Creek Middle School; “Bubbles,” an acrylic painting by Annabelle Kerner, an 11th-grade student in the Reach Cyber School; and for “You’ll Float Too,” a mixed media piece by Gianna Corsi, a ninth-grade student at Villa Maria Academy.

In the category of photography by a youth artist, the Best of Show was awarded for “Street Art,” by Josiah Perino, an 11th-grade student at Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy, and an honorable mention award was presented for “Missing Childhood” by Taylor Hudson, a senior at Fairview High School.

Award winners were selected by a panel of judges that included Rachel Berlin, an artist, instructor and owner of RLB Art Studio; Diana Denniston, owner and curator of D’Hopkins Denniston Fine Art Gallery; and Lisa Salvia, an artist, potter and owner of Winking Lizard Pottery.

Given the array of this year’s creativity, imagine the possibilities of what next year will bring.

Reflections online

The Erie Community Foundation will host a virtual “Midweek Meet-Up” on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Speakers will include President Mike Batchelor, who has announced his upcoming retirement. Batchelor will be interviewed by Erin Doolin Fessler, the foundation’s vice president of marketing, community and governmental relations. The program will be introduced by Keely Doyle, director of philanthropic services.

During the webinar, Batchelor will discuss some of his favorite memories while helping to lead the community foundation over the past 30 years. During his tenure, he and his team worked with local donors to raise nearly $420 million while also overseeing a grants process to distribute over $315 million. Assets of the foundation increased from $20 million to $280 million under his leadership. He recently received the lifetime achievement award from the local Nonprofit Partnership.

To register for the virtual chat, call the foundation at 454-0843 or visit www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/events.

POSTSCRIPT: It is easier to endure than to change. But once one has changed, what was endured is hard to recall. – Susan Sontag (1933-2004), American author, social critic.

Meg Loncharic can be reached at newsmeg@aol.com.

"Mischief Managed," by Sarah Perino of Erie, received Best of Show in the photography category for adult artists in this year's Jay & Mona Kang Virtual Art Show & Sale held by the Barber National Institute.