More than 20 artists gathered in Washington State recently for the 4th annual Paint the Peninsula event, spreading out over the 3,600 square miles of the Olympic Peninsula, taking in mountains, temperate rain forests, and dramatic coastlines.
The event featured demonstrations, lectures, and a paint-out in addition to the competition. More than $12,000 was awarded in prizes; Christine Debrosky served as judge. She chose W. Jason Situ’s piece “Port Angeles Boat” as Best in Show, earning him $2,500.
Patrick Saunders holding his “The Old and the New,” which won the Paint-Out competition
In other awards, Eric Jacobsen won Artists’ Choice ($1,500), and Bruce Gomez won the Poster/Publicity Award ($1,000). Several more $1,000 awards were given: Best Landscape went to Melanie Thompson for “Sunrise at Hurricane Ridge,” Best Waterscape was won by Gretha Lindwood for “Low Tide at Salt Creek,” Best Architecture went to Richard Sneary for “Window Panes Lake Crescent Lodge,” Best Nocturne was won by Rachel Pettit for “First Stars I See,” Spirit of the Olympic Peninsula was won by Robin Weiss for “Campsite at Second Beach,” and the Best Motors, Wheels, and Sails Award went to William Rogers for “Agnew Grocery at Night.” Eric Jacobsen and Patrick Saunders earned Honorable Mention, and the Sea Cliff Gardens Purchase Award was won by Romona Youngquist.
Yong Hong Zhong won the Olympic National Park Superintendent’s Award for “Rialto Beach.”
At the Paint Out, Patrick Saunders took First Place with “The Old and the New.” Ned Mueller won Second Place with “Dockside,” and Susan Kuznitsky earned Third with “Still Waters.” Susan Spar was the judge for that activity.
The Olympic National Park Superintendent’s Award went to Yong Hong Zhong for “Rialto Beach,” and the Olympic Interpretation/Ranger’s Award was won by Patrick Saunders for “Above and Below the Sol Duc.”
“First Stars I See,” by Rachel Pettit. Winner of the Nocturne award
A portion of the proceeds benefited the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. “The gallery was hopping and you could feel the energy,” reports Anne Dalton, the chairperson for the event.
