Winners Announced for 'Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2012' Exhibition

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced the winners of "Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2012," an annual exhibition showcasing the talent, creativity and diversity of the state's established and emerging artists.

First-, second- and third-place honors were awarded in painting, photography, sculpture, crafts and works on paper. Cash awards for each category are first prize, $500; second, $300; and third, $200. In addition, the William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing, the Rose Roy Memorial Award Honoring Volunteerism and The State Museum of Pennsylvania Purchase Award were selected.

This year's first-prize winners are from Bedford, Bucks Dauphin, Delaware and Lancaster counties. Special awards went to artists from Centre, Lackawanna, Luzerne and York counties. The winners were selected from among 115 finalists of the more than 1,800 submissions.

The 45th annual exhibit runs through Sept. 9, and includes 129 works by 115 artists from 30 counties. The State Museum will offer free docent-guided tours on Fridays at 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m., and on Sundays at 2 p.m. Another program, "Artists Conversations," will pair "Art of the State" featured artists with museum staff to take visitors on insiders' tours, sharing their perspectives on the 2012 show. "Artists Conversations" will take place on Sunday, July 15, Friday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 9. Find details online at www.statemuseumpa.org.

The exhibit is co-sponsored by The State Museum and The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, which present more than $7,000 in cash awards to winners.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania's fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the Commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America's story.

Media Contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

Editor's Note: The following prizes were awarded at the 2012 "Art of the State" opening on Saturday, June 16:

Photography
1st Prize: Joel Anderson, Lykens, Dauphin County, "Running Horses"
2nd Prize: Jim Crowley, Dillsburg, York County, "Abandoned Gymnasium J.W. Cooper School"
3rd prize: Geoff Crego, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, "Sun Breaking Through"   

Painting
1st Prize: Jason Rowles, Springfield, Delaware County, "Revisited, Fraser, PA"
2nd Prize: Rebecca Signoriello, New Castle, Lawrence County, "Fallen"
3rd prize: Russell Williams, Philadelphia, "Natural Crimson"       
Honorable Mention: Barbara Grant, Malvern, Chester County, "Sammie & the Bear"

Works on Paper
1st Prize: Denny Bond, East Petersburg, Lancaster County, "Remote"
2nd Prize: Laszlo Bagi, Oreland, Montgomery County, "Forest Faces 3"
3rd prize: Jo Margolis, Wellsville, York County, "Untitled Rectangle"
Honorable Mention: Kathleen Kase Burk, Ebensburg, Cambria County, "Experience"

Craft
1st Prize: George Radeschi, Bedford, Bedford County, "#182"
2nd Prize: Jupi Das, Blue Bell, Montgomery County, "Kites & Balloons"
3rd prize: Toni Kersey, Springfield, Delaware County, "Dancing in the River of Yemenja"

Sculpture
1st Prize: Mark Pettegrew, Point Pleasant, Bucks County, "Tripod 1"
2nd Prize: Shalya Marsh, Lancaster, Lancaster County, "5 Bit Binary Illumination H001 (Poe)"
3rd prize: Ronald Nigro, Trafford, Westmoreland County, "Asia in Amber"      

William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing
Stephen Ruchs, Dallas, Luzerne County, "San Francisco Ferry Station"

The Rose Roy Memorial Award Honoring Volunteerism
William Maile, Vandling, Lackawanna County, "Hatchery Road"

The State Museum Purchase Awards
Jim Crowley, Dillsburg, York County, "Abandoned Gymnasium J.W. Cooper School"
Diane Paroda, State College, Centre County, "Keens"
Carol Oldenburg, York, York County, "Day of Remembrance"

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED