Dare Arts Announces 27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show Award Recipients

May 7, 2024 | Island Features

The Fearing Family- L-R- Grizelle Fearing, Mike Brisson, Cody Dough, Finn Schultz, Jason Schultz, Courtney Shultz, and Louden Schultz. Photo courtesy of Dare Arts.

Over 150 people gathered in Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery on Sunday, May 5 for the opening reception of the 27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, which features 77 pieces of work by local and regional artists.

Artist and College of the Albemarle art instructor Patrick Berran carefully selected the following award recipients:

Best In Show: Tom Dean “Beach Finds” (acrylic)
Excellence Awards: Makenzey Pullen “Untitled” (mixed media sculpture), Sam Ray “Moonlit Dreams” (oil), Thomas Aubrey “Spring Apple Blossoms” (acrylic), and Julia Gabitova “The Acceptance” (oil pastels on paper)
Honorable Mentions: James Melvin “Ray” (oil), Francesca Beatrice Marie “Meet Your Inner Demons” (photography series), and Connor Hughes “Restraint” (charcoal on watercolor paper)

Excellence Award piece “Untitled” by Makenzey Pullen. Photo courtesy of Dare Arts.

“I really enjoyed the show and am thankful for the opportunity,” said judge Pat Berran. “This exhibit celebrates a community that has a diverse approach to picture making. Within this exhibition, we have photography, painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and fiber-based works. It’s easy to take that for granted, but I feel that it is important and very exciting to see.”

Berran says he selected the Best In Show piece for a variety of reasons.

“I enjoy the cut out/irregular shape,” said Berran. “It is faithful to what it is; a la a driftwood/tree trunk. However, the inner images of seashells complement the driftwood in a really fun way. Both are very similar in shape, their rhythms created through their texture and coloring. Additionally, it has a high level of detail as well as a sophistication with the materials used.”

At the opening reception, guests voted by public ballot for the People’s Choice award, which went to artist David Pollard for his bronze, resin and aluminum sculpture “Manteo, The Croatoan”.

The show is held in memory of Mollie A. Fearing, one of the founders of Dare Arts.

“What a wonderful turnout of folks this year,” said Mollie Fearing’s daughter Grizelle Fearing. “I was thrilled to see a lot of new names participating in the show. My mom would be so proud.”

The exhibition is open for viewing in Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery during normal gallery hours through Saturday, June 1.

Thank you to Mollie A. Fearing & Associates, Jane Webster, Ocean Atlantic Rentals, Lucky 12 Tavern, and Cathy Spivey Mendola for sponsoring this event.

For more information about the show, please visit DareArts.org/molliefearingshow or call (252) 473-5558.

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.