COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Nisene Marks’ No. 1 at Capitola Plein Air
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By Linda Segal
fter a two-year hiatus, 35 invited artists enthusiastically returned for the sixth annual Capitola Plein Air. From Nov. 1-6, they delighted inquisitive passersby with their unique styles and perspectives. Everchanging weather afforded them opportunities to capture the textures and hues of every condition, from fog and rain to brilliant sunshine. They quickly got to work, spreading out across Capitola’s city limits, along with Pleasure Point, New Brighton Beach, and Awe Steel Bridge Nisene Marks. Santa Cruz artist Maggie Renner Hellmann describes the experience this way. “Painting outdoors ‘en plein-air’ is...challenging and exhilarating. Light and mood change quickly ... I must capture the threedimensional landscape with passion, intuition and energy, onto a two-dimensional canvas ... as required in expressive plein-air painting.” On Nov. 7, the fruits of their labors of love were on display at New Brighton Middle School in Capitola. Several hundred attendees were treated to a free gallery viewing of more than 200 original paintings of our local environs.
Hopeful art buyers were rewarded, as were the artists, since this year’s show produced record sales. Prior to the viewing public’s arrival, judge Patty Beiderman declared overall prize winners and honorable mentions. First and second place pieces will become part of the City of Capitola’s art collection and be on display in City Council chambers. First Place Barbara Tapp, “Awe Steel Bridge” Second Place Steven McDonald, “Incoming” ••• Honorable Mentions: Chad Hunter, “The Venetian” • Sally Bookman, “San Jose Avenue” • Marie Massey, “Capitola Splash” • Durre Waseem, “After the Rain in Capitola” • Bonnie Carver, “A Touch of Class” • Joe Ortiz, “Two Trees, Two Bushes, Two Shadows” • Randall Stauss, “Sweet Capitola” • Paul Rickard, “After the Rain: Nisene Marks” • Annette McGowan, “Capitola Bike Rail” • John Crawford, “Private Beach” • Kristian Matthews, “Days End” • Mark Monsarrat, “Depot Hill Overlook” ••• Special Recognition Awards from local businesses: Meisha Grichuhin, “Patterns in the Sand” Capitola Village/Wharf Business Improvement Area Paul Fortis, “Capitola Bridge” Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce “Plein Air Results” page 18
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Barbara Tapp’s painting of the Steel Bridge at Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos wins first place in the Capitola Plein Air competition.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 1st 2021 / 17
