The buzz is – the BEE by Megan Garbe of Norwalk won Best in Show in “Focus Under Forty.” The exhibit, for artists, ages 18-39, was a showcase of new regional artists and young talent. The judge, Paul DeRuvo, Associate Printer and Manager at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, said of Megan’s piece, “BEE is diminutive in size but it is immediately striking.” The exhibit chairs are Eunice Roy and Yuko Ike and the co-chair is Karen Kent. Two other exhibits are at RAC: “Paint Rowayton” and the RAC Junior Members Show, both in the Portside Gallery. “Paint Rowayton” was a two-week competition for plein air artists, judged by John Harris, a well-known artist in Fairfield County. Leslie Concannon and Jo Ann Davidson were the first place winners for “Paint Rowayton.” All exhibits will be up until June 25.
Winners for Focus Under Forty:
Best in Show: Megan Garbe (Norwalk) “Bee,” Oil on wood
Paintings:
1st Place: Jill Sarver (Danbury) “Anonymous I” & “Anonymous III, ” Oil on clayboard
2nd Place: Lauren DeFeo Duchene (Rowayton) “The Mother in All of Us,” Watercolor
Honorable Mention: Molly Weinstock (Darien) “Shadow Play,” Oil
Drawing, Digital Art/Mixed Media, Pastels, Prints:
1st Place: Julia Byrne (Westport) “Lion #2”, Encaustic
2nd Place: Joseph Dermody (Greenwich) “Natural Health,” Mixed media
Honorable Mention: Catherine Dunn (Rowayton) “Golden Haze” Mixed media
Photography:
1st Place: Kerry Long (Trumbull) “Mourning Morning” Color
2nd Place: Kyle Michael King (Darien) Untitled, B&W
Honorable Mention: Margaret Kraus (Norwalk) “Ticket Booth,” B&W
Winners for Paint Rowayton:
Oils/Acrylics:
1st: Leslie Concannon (Wilton) “Farm Creek”
2nd: Donna Osterby (Stratford) “Wilson Corner”
3rd: Alan Sprules (Rowayton) “Community Dock”
Watercolor/ pastels:
1st: Jo Ann Davidson (Westport) “Pinkney Park”
2nd: Eunice Roy (Rowayton) “Rowayton Gardners”
3rd: Helene Napolitano (Stamford) “At the River’s Edge”

There are many events in the upcoming weeks at RAC:

Upcoming Special Events 
Open Sketch on Sundays: June 11 (1-4pm) & June 25 (10-1pm)
Art Demonstration with William Duffy: Sunday, July 2 (2-4pm)
Mr. Duffy shares his approach to coastal landscape – FREE – same day as the opening reception for Marine & Coastal.
Marine & Coastal Opening Reception: Sunday, July 2 (4-6pm)
Evening Easels: Open House: Saturday, July 8 (6-8pm) – Find out about this class by Eddie Nino. FREE
Demonstration of something HOT – Encaustics with Leslie Giuliani: Sunday, September 10 (2-4pm) – FREE

For almost 60 years, the Rowayton Arts Center has been a cultural gem in the community. It is an exceptional gallery where regional artists may exhibit and sell their art. It is also a wonderful venue for art classes and workshops. The art school offers classes for children and adults at all levels. The RAC Gallery and Art School are located on the bank of the scenic Five Mile River in Rowayton, CT at 145 Rowayton Avenue. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday: 11am-5pm. For more information: www.rowaytonarts.org