New World Festival of Arts 2017 Award Winners Announced

Posted By Matt Artz on August 23, 2017

Perfect summer weather, over 75 world-class artists, and the backdrop of the Manteo waterfront provided the ideal setting for the 36^th Annual New World Festival of the Arts on August 16 and 17.

Mixed media artist Lisa Beth Robinson, who is an assistant professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, judged the show. She observed watercolor, acrylic, photography, jewelry, ceramics, wood design, leatherwork, and many other media.

“Jurying the show presented me with difficult choices; I saw a great deal of beautiful and finely crafted work,” said Lisa Beth Robinson. “My first consideration was, of course, the formal properties of the work: craft, skill, creativity, and concept. Beyond that, I was looking for artists who used their media in ways that exceeded the traditional boundaries of the material with an exceptional level of skill and work that appeared ripe for pushing these boundaries.”

Robinson carefully selected the following winners:

Best In Show- Jennifer Rose Hyde from Manteo, NC (fiber/jewelry)

Second Place- Sheila Nash from Norfolk, VA (watercolor)

Third Place- Gregory Bryant from Norfolk, VA (jewelry)

Merit Awards: Cammie Hall from Kitty Hawk, NC (jewelry), Cyndi Goetcheus Sarfan from Kill Devil Hills, NC (photography), Dawn Gray Moraga from Kitty Hawk, NC (acrylic), and Laura Frye from Washington, NC (watercolor).

Best In Show winner Jennifer Rose Hyde paints with needles and threads that compose wearable art with vibrant colors and textures. Second place winner Sheila Nash is a watercolor artist who paints on paper with transparent watercolor. Third place winner Gregory Bryant’s unique porcelain jewelry has an ancient, yet modern design.

“What a nice surprise it was to get this award,” said artist Gregory Bryant. “This was my third year participating in the show. I continue to be lured by the charm, hospitality, and unique character of Manteo. I really enjoyed my customers- a great mix of locals and vacationers.”

Presented by PNC Bank for the third consecutive year, the New World Festival of the Arts is a Manteo tradition that provides awareness of current trends in the visual arts while acquainting visitors with the historic Town of Manteo.

Thank you to presenting sponsor PNC Bank, corporate sponsor SAGA Construction & Development, event partner The Town of Manteo, and show organizers Erin Johnson and Louise Sanderlin.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to help organize this show,” said jewelry artist and DCAC staff member Erin Johnson. “As a graduate of The College of the Albemarle’s fine arts program and a budding artist, this show has been a wonderful learning experience. I enjoyed working with all of the New World Festival artists and seeing their artwork.”

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.