Jennifer Frisbie receives award from Sunnyside Artists president Manny Gomez
July 1, 2015 By Michael Florio
Sunnyside Artists, a local non-profit organization that promotes local art, has teamed up with the restaurant Salt & Fat to display the work of 25 artists.
The group has put together an art show titled “Au Naturel,” which features work that focuses on nature and nudity.
The show officially opened Tuesday at Salt & Fat and the work is on display until July 26.
The organization held a reception Monday night at the 41-16 Queens Blvd restaurant, where artists got to vote for their three favorite pieces (excluding their own) that they felt were prize worthy, according to Patricia Dorfman, founder of Sunnyside Artists.
The three winning artist were awarded with the Luke Adams Award, named after a long-serving volunteer and former Sunnyside business owner who passed away in November.
Jennifer Frisbie won the $400 top prize for her painting of a pregnant woman; Matt Cauley, who submitted an oil painting of a nude self-portrait won the $300 second prize; and Bruce Sharpe won the $200 third place prize for his piece Sunbathers, an oil painting of a boy on the beach.
This was the first year that the artists were required to vote in person, rather than casting their votes anonymously online.
“It was really successful because seeing the artwork in person is a lot different than seeing a picture online,” Dorfman said.
Other pieces on display include ‘Rockaway Beach’ by Hayes Mauro, which is a photograph of a boy on the beach by himself following Superstorm Sandy. Another item ‘Mom At 92’ is a photograph of a 92-year-old woman wearing a bra.
All of the paintings on display in the restaurant are for sale, with prices ranging from $150 to $2,500. The winning pieces vary from Frisbie’s piece going for $525, to Cauley’s for $1,750. Sharpe’s piece is going for $250.
“These are great prices considering what they would go for in Manhattan,” Dorfman said.
Those who go to the restaurant to see the display will get a free glass of wine with their meal if they say that they were referred by Sunnyside Artists.
“It is a great way to benefit the restaurant and the artists,” Dorfman said.
Best three pieces
