Thanks to all who attended our opening reception! Weekend gallery hours continue at Essex Art Association Gallery on Saturday from 10 to 4 and Sunday from 11 to 3. Essex Art Association is at 10 North Main Street in Essex, CT.

CDHR Art Show 2025
Essex Art Association
Juror’s Statement-Carol Dunn

It was once again my pleasure and honor to jury the CDHR Art Show! Every year the entries seem to get better and better.

I congratulate all the artists who were brave enough to submit their artwork for scrutiny, and encourage all of you to continue following your artistic passion. Choosing award winners is always a subjective experience, so I start the process by giving a quick review of all the entries. Then I go back and look more closely at those pieces that grabbed my attention initially, or that evoked an emotion. I narrowed down my choices to the favorite favorites. Here are the results!

Best Photo - “Horseplay,” by Elin Dolle

A moment in time perfectly captured. You can almost hear the horses braying. And the curly grasses in the foreground, against the darkness of the horses, adds some beautiful chaos.

Best Painting - “Star,” by Mary Killilea

I loved the shaggy hairs on the bottom of the legs, and the bits of yellow highlights everywhere that united the image. The rustic frame adds to the total presentation. Just awesome!

Best Mixed Media - “Par for the Course,” by Nancy Davinis

The horse’s excitement is palpable, and the hair of the horse as well as the rider’s hair moving in the wind add movement to the piece. Lovely. Perfect title as well.

Best in Show – “The Clearing,” by Julia Hallquist

An extraordinary painting, with the use of light almost heavenly as it passes through the tree branches and the mane and tail of the horse, only to highlight the tiny white flowers in the grass. The soft shadow of the horse is also beautiful and lends a feeling of peace. Another good title.

Honorable Mentions:

“Under Wraps-East Haddam,” by Kay Brigante

The swirls on top of the charcoal drawing “Under Wraps” is a nice touch to a beautiful rendition. The title is also a nice play on words.

“Luminescence,” by Elaine Juska Joseph

The softness of the horse’s main in “Luminescence” is extraordinary, and the title is perfect. The artist has a unique style.

“Wisdom to Tell,” by Alison Ritrovato

“Wisdom to Tell” caught my eye with its simplicity—yet a great feeling of motion in this tiny, wonderful piece.

“Frost,” by Lauren Veno

“Frost” also drew me in. I feel the coldness of the horse, and love the backlit mane and how the cool light just touches the back and hind quarter. The little touches of pink also repeat the colors in the nose, and draw your eye around the horse’s body. Lovely.