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An oil painting by Coinjock artist G.P. Lyon took top honors in the 28^th Annual Artist Self-Portrait Exhibit now on display at Glenn Eure’s Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head. Exhibition judge Adele Castillo, a Virginia artist and arts instructor, commented on the winning piece, “It is beautifully composed and executed. The tilt of the head and the not quite relaxed figure kept me engaged.”

The judges also selected two artists for Excellence Awards. One was awarded to Cedarburg, Wisconsin artist Joan Hollnagel for “Outer-Bank-er Joan,” a fired stoneware piece. The other went to Brittany Yarbrough of Greenville for a lithograph titled “Flower Yourself.” The judge was impressed with Yarbrough’s balanced color choices evoking serenity.

In addition, four Honorable Mention ribbons were presented. One was for a classic oil by Kelly Lonergan of Charlottesville, Virginia. A narrative painting, “The Fugitive” tells a story and invites the viewer’s interpretation. Another went to Melanie Macias of Greenville for “Switching Emotions,” a lithograph powerful in its simplicity. Heather Muise of Greenville received Honorable Mention for “Self-Portrait as Fortune Teller.” The judge commented that this etching/aquatint was rendered with perfection. Another ribbon went to Janice Smith of Southern Shores for “Here I Am – Through the Years,” drawings in graphite and chalk providing a well-executed, creative interpretation of the 2023 theme HERE I AM.

Castillo also awarded two Judge’s Recognition honors – one to Peter Hoppe of Manteo for “1823 – Me,” a fun construction made from old puzzles. Hoppe commented “Some puzzle pieces don’t fit!” Another Judge’s Recognition went to Lynne Scott Constantine of Point Harbor for “Security Check,” a clever adaptation of something annoying we see every day when dealing with getting access online.

Work of 54 visual artists from North Carolina as well as California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin and one from Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand are featured in the show, which will be exhibited through May 11 during gallery hours Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In 2023, literary artists were also invited to participate in the Self-Portrait event. Nine depicted themselves in the written word.  The top literary honor went to Katrina Mae Leuzinger of Kill Devil Hills for “Bad Tree.” An Honorable Mention was awarded Suzanne Scott Constantine of Point Harbor for a prose piece “No Ordinary Woman.” The literary judge was Mary Ellen Riddle, writer and author, arts columnist and curator. Literary work is available for reading while visiting the gallery.

For further information, call 252-441-6584.

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