Hundreds of community members and artists gathered at Dare Arts on Friday, February 2 for the opening of the 46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, which features the work of over 80 local and regional artists.

“This is an impressive exhibition highlighting talented artists from all over the region,” said judge Eric Burris. “I am excited to see so much vibrant color and the wide range of materials and subject matter. I enjoyed jurying the show and getting a glimpse into the minds of so many individual artists.”

Artist and educator Eric Burris carefully selected the following award recipients:

Eure Best In Show: Cathy Spivey Mendola "Rust Never Sleeps" (hand stitching on eco printed fabrics)

Excellence Awards: David Beal "Tranquility #1" (oil on canvas), Alla Rossow "Dance of the Wings" (paper collage), Cyndi Goetcheus Sarfan "Did You See Me? Will You Save Me?" (photography), and Judith Saunders "Come Fly With Me" (copper woven vessel)

Honorable Mentions: Andy Howell "Keepers" (acrylic on wood panel), Amy Snowden "Night Warrior" (watercolor), and Kitty Dough "Rippin' Snortin' Rockin' Morton" (sculpture)

People’s Choice: Emily Holmes “Full Fathom Five” (acrylic, ink, pencil, collage)

Clayton, NC artist Cathy Spivey Mendola’s Best In Show piece took over 100 hours to create.

“What an amazing feeling to have won Best In Show at the Frank Stick Memorial Show,” said artist Cathy Spivey Mendola. “I was completely blown away when I received the phone call. It makes me happy that textile art can be exhibited alongside paintings and stand out as the best in the show. This piece took on a life of its own while I was stitching. I hardly ever plan what a piece is going to look like when I begin; preferring to let it progress organically and intuitively. The background fabrics were eco printed with real leaves, dyed with rusty objects and layered. Then, I rust printed some additional fabric and cut out circles before starting on all the stitching.”

At the opening reception, over 75 people voted by ballot for the People’s Choice Award, which went to Kill Devil Hills artist Emily Holmes.

“When you put a piece of your art up for others to see, you never know what the reaction will be,” said artist Emily Holmes. “This style of painting is relatively new for me and I wasn’t sure how it would be received because it's a bit strange and unusual. Receiving the People’s Choice Award is a great feeling because it feels like such positive support and encouragement from the local arts community.”

The show will remain on display in Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery through Friday, February 23. The Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm.

The Frank Stick Memorial Art Show is the longest running visual arts exhibit in Dare County, and is held in memory of Outer Banks preservationist and artist Frank Stick.

Thank you to Jane Webster, Beverly Perdue, and Michael Halminski Photography for sponsoring the 46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show.

For more information about the show, please visit DareArts.org or call 252-473-5558.