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Capitola Plein Air Winners Announced, By Linda Segal
COMMUNITY NEWS Capitola Plein Air Winners Announced
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By Linda Segal
After 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. Ever-changing 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 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 three-dimensional 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.
Artist Kerrie Brandau painting on Capitola Wharf.
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 Assn. Paul Fortis, “Capitola Bridge” Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce Coraly Hanson, “God’s Glory” Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors Lupe Santos, “Bougainvilleas” Times Publishing Group, Inc.
