By Nathan Duke
The Bayside Historical Society held its ninth-annual Celebration of the Arts winter show last weekend at which it presented prizes to five Queens artists whose work included paintings, sculptures and photography.
The society, located in Bayside’s Fort Totten, displayed the work of 40 borough artists during the Sunday ceremony. The pieces, which can be purchased at prices ranging from $75 to several thousand dollars, can be viewed by the public in the society’s ballroom gallery through Jan. 31.
“We had everything from the realistic to the abstract,” said Bayside Historical Society archivist Alison McKay, who coordinated the show. “It was a mixed media event, so we have photographers, sculptural pieces and paintings. It was across the spectrum.”
The first-place prize went to Whitestone artist Diana DeSantis’ “Renee,” a pastel on paper portrait, while second place was awarded to Long Island City’s Demetrius Manouselis, who presented his abstract acrylic on paper piece “PO9MAR10.01A.”
Luis Caraos, of Hollis, took third for his oil on canvas painting “Tinkling Dance.” Two other artists were given honorable mentions: Nancy Fabrizio, of Floral Park, for “Catching Up,” a small impressionist painting of a beach scene, and Adolfo Caldas, of New Hyde Park, for “Insider Man,” a sculptural clay work in three pieces in the style of the French bas-relief, a type of sculpture in which objects typically project from the background.
Jennifer Dullahan, a spokeswoman for the historical society, said the show has grown exponentially since it began nine years ago. The show typically showcased the work of 20 artists during its early years, but has since doubled that number.
“We’ve been growing since we started,” McKay said. “We’re getting people not just from northeast Queens, but also from southern Queens and as far west as Long Island City. We’ve become a viable space to display work. Hopefully, next year will be even bigger.”
All work at this year’s show was judged by Faustino Quintanilla, director of Queensborough Community College’s art gallery, and Marie Marsina, president of Douglaston’s National Art League.
Abba Bogin and Masako Yanagita, of the Queens Symphony Orchestra, gave piano and violin performances during the show.
Those interested in purchasing work from the show should contact the society through its Web site, baysidehistorical.org.
The gallery is open to the public Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
