Ten years ago, Granby Land Trust President Rick Orluk had a vision to create a juried art show that celebrated Granby’s natural beauty. With the support of the GLT board of directors, he asked Carole Day and members of the Granby Artists Association for their help. He then approached a number of GLT supporters for financial backing. Before long, the land trust had an event sponsor and the funding to create 10 substantial awards. GLT members, GAA members and friends jumped into action to plan the event and, in November 2005, the first show was held at the J.Vallee Brunelle Fine Art and Framing.
Each November since, the Granby Land Trust and the Granby Artists Association have worked together to expand and improve the show. Today, thanks to the incredible generosity of the GLT’s friends, the show offers a remarkable $5,000 in award money and the event has become something the community looks forward to each fall. This year, a record 180 pieces of original artwork were submitted (the juror had to select just 80 to be in the show); and nearly 200 people turned out for Opening Night at Lost Acres Vineyard.
Entitled Celebrating New England’s Natural Beauty, this year’s show encompasses artwork inspired by beautiful, natural places across New England. Paul Gulla, Gallery Manager at R.Michelson Galleries in Northampton, Mass., juried this year’s show. A portion of art sales benefits the Granby Land Trust.
The winner of the show’s top prize—the Don and Marty Wilmot Award—was Laura Eden for her painting After the Rain. Caroline Mecartney won the show’s second place prize, the Granby Land Trust Award, for her painting titled Honeymoon Cabin.
Laura Eden’s “After the Rain” won the 2015 People’s Choice Award given by Michelle Niedermeyer and Kevin Riggot of Lost…
Posted by Granby Land Trust on Sunday, November 29, 2015
The Land Trust thanks Mark Wetzel and Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC and Ted Cormier and ALIRT Insurance Research, LLC for their ongoing, loyal support of the show. In addition, the Land Trust thanks event co-chairs Els Fonteyne and Laurie Schock for organizing yet another successful Opening Night; Bill Simpson and Laura Eden for their wise counsel, advice and hard work; and Michelle Niedermeyer and Kevin Riggott of Lost Acres Vineyard for hosting Opening Night and the show. Also, the GLT thanks Tony Capelli for his beautiful floral arrangements and Karen Rutigliano of Katering by Karen for the delicious appetizers she served at Opening Night.