Bellingham Library’s 3rd Annual Art & Photography Show Showcases Local Talent

By Jennifer Russo

Each year, the Bellingham Public Library hosts an art and photography show that encourages local creatives to submit their work and showcase their talents. Residents of all ages are able to enter into the competition and the works are judged by a panel of artists and scholars. At the reception, the public can then vote for their favorites in the categories of children’s art, mixed media, drawing, painting, photography, and digitally enhanced photography. In addition to the winning picks from the judges, there is a Best of Show winner and a People’s Choice winner.

This year’s submissions were impressive, with over sixty-five pieces entered. There was a tie for the People’s Choice win, with John Andonian’s Aurora Over Tromso and Ben Hughes’ Sam’s Pudding.

In the category of Children’s Art, Zoey Zulawnik took first place with Gnome Home. Second place went to Mackenzie Novacck’s The Mysterious Apple, and third place went to Zack Spitzer for Looking Otter.

In the Mixed Media category, the winner was Lia Vichi with Spring’s Approach. Second place went to Eileen Bailey’s Love & Light, and the third-place winner was Kylar Jones with Notes from Biology.

From the Drawing entries, first place went to Rebecca Daigneault for Word Hampster. Second place was won by Kay Ebwa for Sun Feb 17th, and third place went to Natasha Vaux for Orchidea della Morte.

The first-place winner in the Paintings category was Rebecca Daigneault, with her piece Springfield, which also won the Best of Show award. Second place went to Eileen Bailey’s Out Beyond, and the third-place winner was Verne L. Thayer for his painting of the William Hayward Tavern.

In the Photography category, Steven Vaux took first place with SamSara, the second-place win went to Dawn Murphy for At the Farm - Lutzhorn Germany, and third place went to Richard Berg for Scituate Light.

Lastly, in the Digitally Enhanced Photography category, first place went to Bharadhwaj Harihara Subramanian for Veil of Dawn: Sunrise over Blackrock Volcano. Second place was won by John Andonian’s Hamnoy Village, and third place also went to Bharadhwaj Harihara Subramanian for Nobska Reflection.

The annual art and photography show has become one of Bellingham’s favorite events, and winning entries can be viewed on the library’s walls throughout the rest of the year. Come check out the amazing talents of your neighbors! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated.