Art in Gardiner Captured Landscapes and Scholarship Money
By Michelle Terwilliger-Hathaway
From Issue 5: Winter 2010
More than $5,000 worth of paintings were sold during the second annual “Art in Gardiner: Plein Air Paint Out” event and auction organized by the Gardiner Association of Businesses (GAB) in October. As part of the event, participating artists captured our town’s gorgeous landscapes amongst fabulous fall foliage and helped raise money for a scholarship fund that GAB will award to a local high school graduating senior pursuing a business degree.
Twenty four adult artists from throughout the Hudson Valley participated, along with 17 local child artists who attended painting workshops prior to the event. The Best in Show adult painting, by Tarryl Gabel, depicted a beautifully rich farm landscape in a gorgeous, thick wooden frame and was awarded $200 cash. First place went to Maurice Houdou, second place to Keith Gunderson, and third place to Heidi Diponio, of Gardiner. Adult winners received gift certificates to Lombardi’s Restaurant, the Mountain Brauhaus, and The Gold Fox.
Child artists were also judged. In the kindergarten to second grade group, Shane O’Herron was awarded Best in Show and Jacob Weinstein won first place. In the third to fifth grade group, Evan Hathaway won Best in Show and Kayla Worthy and Alden Hathaway were tied for first place. Best in Show winners were awarded $50 savings bonds from Walden Savings Bank. Other winners received art supplies and sketch books from artsonia.com, the world’s largest online children’s art museum.
Throughout the day adult artists braved the brisk autumn air to paint Gardiner landscapes along roadsides, hilltops, sidewalks, creek and river banks, orchards and farms. They returned to the Town Hall a few hours later where their works were framed and auctioned off following a reception where artists young and old mingled with prospective buyers, collectors, and admirers.
Did you miss the event or lose a treasured painting at auction? Rest assured you can still admire or purchase all winners’ artwork – adult and children – for just $12! All winning paintings are featured on greeting cards sold to add additional money to the GAB scholarship fund. The greeting cards, to be restocked soon in local businesses, can also be ordered by contacting leitha@lmollaw.com or calling GAB at (888) 909-5444.
Art in Gardiner is just one charitable event organized by GAB. Last year’s event raised $1,200 to help support the Gardiner Library and the Gardiner Fire Department.