Art show draws crowds
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

PHOTO/ANGELA GREINER Francis Warner, winner of the Best in Show award, with his oil painting "In April, a place I went fishing with Grampy"

Hudson - Citizens Bank in Hudson rivaled art galleries in attendance Oct. 11 when more than 50 people attended the opening exhibit of the Arts Alliance juried show.

"It is awesome there were over 50 people here," said Barbara Worrest, of the Arts Alliance.

The juried art show is a yearly event featuring two- and threedimensional original artwork from residents in 23 communities. Some of the local artists include former Hudson resident Francis Warner (whose studio is still based in Hudson), Betsy DeAngelis from Marlborough, Liz McDonald from Shrewsbury, and Shoba Balaji of Westborough.

The exhibit was juried by Susan Sleptz, who is currently teaching at the Worcester Art Museum and the Arts Alliance.

This year's show has 56 of the 83 entries on exhibit during normal banking hours, free of charge, through Saturday Nov. 3.

"It has gotten bigger. There is so much local art that is tremendous," Worrest said. "We got a lot of large pieces this year … There were beautiful things that were juried out of the show."

Prizes were given for first and second place in four categories: painting, photography, mixed media, and drawing and painting.

Warner, whose oil painting "In April, a place I went fishing with Grampy," received the Judges' Choice award for "Best in Show."

Warner described his artistic ability as a gift and part of who he is. The inspiration for the piece, Warner, said came from a scene he saw while on a fishing trip with his grandfather when he was younger. The picture's setting is of an open space in Northborough behind the Solomon Pond Mall. Warner recently learned that last year the site was perktested for development.

"I had to capture it," Warner said.

The juried show is one of four annual visual art shows sponsored by the Arts Alliance and hosted by Citizens Bank.

To view the works chosen for display, visit the Citizens Bank on Hope Street in Hudson. For more information about the Arts Alliance, visit www. upwitharts.org.