With a top prize of $1,500, plein air painters were drawn to Beloit, Wisconsin, recently for the 8th Annual Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting Event. The big winner was an architectural subject.
Kyle Martin’s “Strong, After the Rain” won Best of Show. Matthew Holt won the Pride of Beloit award and $1,000 for “Evening Light on Grand” — another painting featuring buildings — while the Friends Award (and $1,000) was won by Jenny Anderson for “Only One Small Catfish.”
“Evening Light on Grand,” by Matthew Holt. Pride of Beloit winner
“Only One Small Catfish,” by Jenny Anderson. Friends Award winner
The Patron of the Arts prize went to Jan Norsetter for “Edge of the Rock for the Edge of the Rock,” and the Spirit of the Arts award was won by Michael Reif for “Alliant Spillway.” Honorable Mentions were won by Paul Berquist and Carolyn Larkin.
“The Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting Event added many new professional artists, and we had more stand-out paintings than the previous seven years,” comments Sue Fugate, the project coordinator of the event. “Kyle Martin’s painting won Best of Show, and I look forward to watching his bright future unfold. His growth as an artist, and that of so many of our artists, is inspiring. As organizers, we seek to become more like the artists. We also need to evolve, grow, become fearless, and improve the events — just like our artists do their painting — in order to sustain and build the audience for these events.”
“Edge of the Rock for the Edge of the Rock,” by Jan Norsetter. Patron of the Arts winner
“Alliant Spillway,” by Michael Reif. Spirit of the Arts winner
Georgene Pomplun, John Ribble, and Diane Washa served as judges. More than $4,500 was awarded. A portion of the sales at the event benefited Friends of RiverFront.
