Without knowing it, Elizabeth Greene woke up a winner on Monday morning.
The All-Island Art Show awarded Ms. Greene best in show honor for her last-minute entry. Known for promoting the Vineyard’s local artists since its inception in 1956, the art show annually attracts a wide range of artists. Wood-carvers, photographers, painters. You name it. Even those like Ms. Greene who never knew the show existed until hours before registration.
“I didn’t even hear about it until this morning,” she said. “I filled out my [registration forms] and now here I am.”
Organized by Bob Schaefer, the All-Island Art Show allows anyone over the age of 16 to submit an art piece for an affordable $5 price. Registered participants must have an Island address.
Ms. Greene moved to West Tisbury 20 years ago after growing up in Connecticut. Her award-winning collage depicted her son holding a rooster in front of the West Tisbury Agricultural Hall. Stuck at home in the middle of a snowstorm one winter, she found inspiration in a pile of her daughter’s old magazines. Ms. Greene used scissors and cardboard to put her vision on paper before the snow had a chance to melt.
“The entire living room floor was covered in paper,” she said.
Her sister Billy Jean convinced her to enter the art show as a last-second 9 a.m. registrant. After dropping off her collage, Ms. Greene used her day off from work to run errands. Hours later her phone vibrated. Texts poured in from Billy Jean. Pictures of ribbons covering the collage filled her phone’s screen. She rushed back to the Tabernacle.
Ms. Greene had won three ribbons. In addition to winning best in show, she earned the Featherstone Center for the Arts creativity award along with a first prize award for collage artwork.
Ten other artists earned first or second prize honors for various categories including acrylic painting, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, sculpture, watercolor, landscape photography, people-subject photography, landscape photography and miscellaneous photography. A panel of judges determined award winners.
Photographer Jeremy Driesen earned first prize honors for landscape photography category along with an award for best animal photo. A Chilmark resident, Mr. Driesen found out about the contest from a friend who encouraged him to submit something.
“I figured, what the heck, I’ll stick it up there,’” he said. “The worse thing that can happen is nothing. It’ll probably be a fun day and I’ll meet some nice people.”
Most of Mr. Driesen’s photos were of Oak Bluffs and views of the ocean. He has been a photographer for over 40 years but never entered an art contest before.
Additional first-time artists at the show included Amanda Kauffman, a high school student from Connecticut. A summer resident, Miss Kauffman entered five of her landscape photos and applauded the straightforward submission process.
Award winners received monetary prizes in the form of a check. First-place winners received $50 while second-place winners received $25. Ms. Greene’s best in show earned her $125. The Old Sculpin Gallery, Cousen Rose Gallery and Featherstone Center for the Arts contributed special awards for the event. The Granary Gallery and Ruth Bogan Endowment Fund provided financial support.
Next year’s show will be on Monday, August 7.
More photos from the All-Island Art Show.
All-Island Art Show Winners
Oil painting: June Schoppe
Acrylic painting: Douglas Peckham
Watercolor: Lynn Hoeft
Pastel: Douglas Peckham
Photography, landcape: Jeremy Driesen
Photography, people: Heather Capece
Photography, other: Claire Ganz
Drawing and graphics: Robert Schaefer
Collage: Elizabeth Greene
Mixed media: Dorothy McLaughlin Petell
Sculpture: Gary Demers
Best in Show: Elizabeth Greene
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