THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602080163
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
For the first time in 18 years, the Frank Stick Art Show did not open as planned.
Held every February, the annual reception for the show that houses mostly local art was snowed out, along with much of the country.
Snow was out of the ordinary; past receptions usually found the Ghost Fleet Gallery with the doors wide open, admitting hundreds of viewers nudged by warm breezes.
Because of the inclement weather, winners of $2,500 in prize money did not learn of their success at the usual sneak preview before the public opening. As a result, the gallery is buzzing this week with curious investigating of the outcome.
More than 35 volunteers will man the gallery this month to allow viewers to soak in the art. While the postponement took some of the punch out of the reception, the Dare County Arts Council will try again this Sunday to officially open the show in its usual style.
Everyone is welcome to attend the reception, to be held from 2 until 5 p.m. And viewers are encouraged to cast their ballot for their favorite work of art. At the end of Sunday's reception, the votes will be tallied and the winner of the ``People's Choice Award'' will be announced. So not all surprises have been revealed yet!
With the one-entry-per-artist rule this year, the works have a lot more breathing space on the gallery walls. Just as many artists entered, with more than 140 works on display.
Barbara Allen, Frank Stick show volunteer and host to the judges, says that while the weather was definitely a letdown, the judges got here before the ice and snow to mull over the work.
After three hours of deliberation, they finished choosing the winners Feb. 2. Three categories were awarded, including $150 excellence awards, $50 merit awards and honorable mentions. The ``People's Choice Award'' winner will claim $50 Sunday.
Allen, who hosted last year's judges, appreciated this year's process and was impressed by how conscientious the judges were.
``It made me look at these pieces with a whole different point of view,'' she said after hearing the judges discuss the works.
Judges Irinia Kahn of Ahoskie and Richard Spiller of Washington, N.C., were enthused by the breadth and variety of the entries, Allen said.
While the main thrust of the show and the judges' choices are traditional works of art, you can still find a little bit of everything at the Frank Stick show - from Renee Landry's ``Smother,'' featuring a ceiling-high stack of symbolic pillows, to a minimalist plexiglass geometric sculpture, with a variety of paintings thrown in between.
There are more photographs on display this year, mostly color with some scattered black-and-white works. Check out Ray Ritchie's photograph, ``Naruto Kaede'.'' Hopefully, we'll see more work by this newcomer in shows to come.
Of special note is the work of Jill Bartel, who put together an interesting statement using pairs of old black high heels, titled ``Ancient Evenings.''
Ila Smith continues to stun us with her meticulous rendering and impeccable sense of design in ``Mouse and Cat.''
Vincent Berg's ``School Crossing,'' a mixed media work, is intriguing. Several painters shone, including Lee Knotts with his oil on linen, ``Onions and Garlic.'' His painting sings with his subtle blend of shapes and colors.
Lillian Rosenthal's oil/mixed painting titled ``Shadow of Memories'' evokes a memory meltdown with her mirage-like application of paint. Chris Haltigan is amazing when it comes to emulating light with her water colors. Her ``Trawlers at First Light'' radiates.
Hanna Jubran, working in the difficult medium of bronze, entered ``Origin (NU)2.'' This gorgeous and timeless piece steals the show.
Before we call this review a wrap, you may want to check out one last piece. Not all art has to get up in your face and scream, ``Me, me!'' Sometimes it's the quiet works that touch the deepest.
Nestled in several layers of old hats is an antique, dirty and play-worn doll, rescued from the thrift store and saved from a dusty plexiglass-case existence. She's been tenderly draped and adorned with cloth and buttons and trinkets befitting her years of service.
To the artist, Genna Miles, this baby doll is ``Home at Last.'' MEMO: The Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head is open this month, Monday through
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours are 2 to 5 p.m.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Edith Deltgen of Colington poses with her award-winning work
``Wasser Nymph.''
WINNERS
[For a list of winners, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB