WAKEFIELD — People enjoy supporting the arts, ranking things and participating in contests. Combining these elements creates an entertaining competition that celebrates and identifies outstanding art. During the well-attended opening weekend of the Arts Collaborative of Wakefield’s “Anything Goes” exhibit, visitors cast their votes for the Best in Show.
Congratulations go to ACW artist Kathy Frey who received the most votes for her needle-felted wool sculpture An Ode to Marian Heath. This almost two foot-tall sculpture set on a lazysusan depicts a tree stump inhabited by various woodland creatures including mice, birds and insects. This whimsical piece pays tribute to UK artist Marian Heath, renowned for her artwork featuring woodland animals.
Stephen Norton secured second place with his color photograph Autumn Reflections. This semi-abstract image captures the stunning hues and forms of autumn mirrored in a puddle of water. Heather DiGiovanni earned third place for her pastel painting Progresso della Passione. This remarkable depiction of a German shepherd is impressively lifelike.
Come to the Cultural Exchange on Friday, April 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check out the Best in Show Award winners work as well as the work of all 45 local artists featuring over 125 pieces of art, a collection from WHS Art students and the artwork offered for $10 in the Small Works Fundraiser. Hope to see you there.