5th Annual Sherburne Arts Festival a Hit!

            The weather was threatening – in fact, just around 10 when the 2016 arts festival was about to start, it was really threatening, with heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. There was talk of vendors leaving and of calling off the whole show. And then … the storm moved on, the weather cleared, and Gaines Park enjoyed a beautiful afternoon full of sun, warm temperatures, and lots of people (including lots of kids) having fun. In fact, one vendor approached the art festival organizers and said, “This is the best show I attend. Please invite me back!”

            This year the student art tent was alive with talent. Thanks to Julian Button for judging, and to Golden Artist Colors and Henry Drexler for prize donations. Winners were:

Elementary

                        1^st Place Kendall Stackhouse

                        2^nd Place Hailey Callfield

                        3^rd Place Maggie Crandall

Painting:          1^st Place Riley Webster – #13 

                        2^nd Place Rachel Ryan – Midnight

                        3^rd Place Karlee Houch – Marty

Photography:   1^st Place Melanie Sines – Society

                        2^nd Place Abby Knochenmus – Sunrise

                        3^rd Place Julian Sofanco – Jamin

Sculpture:        1^st Place Riley Webster – Sneakers

                        2^nd Place Angel Sheely – Galaxie Dragon

                        3^rd Place Kyle Cross – Hand Eye

Drawing:         1^st Place Karlee Houch – Ian

                        2^nd Place Jessey Lynch – Audacity

                        3^rd Place Abigail Mullin – Jellyfish

Best in Show (cash prize)

                        1^st Place Karlee Houch – Homeless

                        2^nd Place Janelle Van Dauber – Audrey

                        3^rd Place Abby Knochenmus – Sunrise

Best in Show (Golden Artist Colors prize)

                        1^st Place Riley Webster – Nova

                        2^nd Place Rachel Ryan – Rachel, Molly, Jessica

                        3^rd Place Riley Webster – Vitae

The People’s Choice Crafter Award ($100 cash prize) went to Shore Fusion of Virginia; the People’s Choice Fine Artists award went to Jimi Button of Sherburne. Patty Mattson won the hand-made quilt donated by Lynn Morris, and Gabrielle Rippey won the Henry Grant Plumb watercolor donated by historian and Plumb expert Dr. Christine Oaklander.

A big thanks to sponsors, who along with the wonderful artists and crafters make the show possible:

Apron Strings Country Store

Benedict Corporation, Norwich

Benedict's Liquor Store, Sherburne

Chenango Arts Council Decentralization Grant*

Chi Chi's Hair Salon, Sherburne

Craine Family Foundation, Sherburne

Cut Above Hair Salon, Norwich

Henry Drexler

Howard K. Finch Memorial Fund

Empire Wireless, Sherburne

Harmon's Painting

Sally Ewen, for the clown costumes

Herbert H. & Mariea L. Brown Foundation

Maggie Fitzpatrick, Maggie's Soaps

Fuller Family

Glasbergen Family
Golden Artist Colors, New Berlin

Dr. David & Lauren Haswell, Sherburne

Joe & Vinny's Pizzeria, Sherburne

Log Cabin Books, Hamilton

Irmin Mody, Realtor, Norwich

Tom Morris, Family Dentistry, Norwich

NBT, Sherburne

NYCM Foundation, Sherburne

S&S Feeds, Smyrna

White House Cabinet Shop, Sherburne

Vince Yacono/Yacono Plumbing & Heating, Sherburne

Special thanks to volunteers Janet Horton, Mark Perrin, Tom Morris, Mike Mettler, Marty Mettler, Tom Fagan, Riley Webster, Jeff Webster, Bruce Webster, and Brian McDowell. And of course, thanks to Rabbit in the Rye for a great performance.

*This project is made possible with public funds from the Chenango Arts Council’s Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.