WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival prize winners announced

The 44th annual WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival was another success for artists and attendees alike, organizers announced. Despite the threat of strong thundershowers across the state on Aug. 22, artists and festival-goers were treated to warm summer temperatures downtown, moderated in the afternoon by the appearance of a few droplets and a cool breeze that was welcomed by all.

The Sidewalk Art Festival is a professionally judged show. The 2009 awards are as follows:

Best in Show Judges Award: Randy Knowles, Goffstown, N.H. (pastels)

Second Place Festival Award: Stephen Gatter, Natick, Mass. (paint/paper pulp)

Third Place Festival Award: Bryony Brett, Portland (stained glass)

WCSH 6 Festival Purchase Prize: Donna Grande, Montclair, N.J. (pastels)

Winners of prizes 1, 2, and 3 retain ownership of their winning artwork. The artwork selected for prize 4 becomes part of the WCSH 6 Permanent Collection. All prizes include cash awards. This year’s judges included Henry Bonner (a board member of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation), Mark Holtof, Mike Maltby, Mark Hagen and Kimberly Curry (local artists), and Lauren Silverson, a museum professional for more than 20 years.

The WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival is the oldest and largest one-day art show in Northern New England, welcoming 300 artists and tens of thousands of shoppers. Congress Street in the Arts District is closed to vehicular traffic to make the day even more enjoyable for all. The WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival is organized and administered by WCSH 6.

The 45th annual WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival will be held Aug. 28, 2010. Artist applications will be available on WCSH6.com starting March 1, 2010. The WCSH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival is sponsored by Maine Bank and Trust.