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Art of the River Towns exhibition a resounding success

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By all measures, River Towns Magazine’s inaugural Art of the River Towns juried art show held last weekend at the historic Prallsville Mills was a hit, attracting over 800 visitors from opening night on Oct. 1 through Oct. 4.
 
Show-goers appreciated the chance to see a show in person, while practicing safe social distancing and wearing masks inside the spacious former grist mill. Their enthusiastic response to the work by more than 100 local artists was evident in sales. Including online presales, 40 pieces were sold – and sales are expected to continue through the Art of the River Towns Online Sales Gallery through the end of the year.
 
“It was a resounding success,” said Publisher Joe Wingert. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the response to the show. Most important, we are so deeply gratified that we were able to support our local artists at a time when they really need it.”
 
The show, enhanced by fall weather and a historic venue on the banks of the Delaware River, opened with a ribbon-cutting and awards ceremony.
 
The first-place prize went to John Schmidtberger, second place went to sculptor Shawn Campbell, and third-place went to Ronnie Bookbinder. Kimberlee Nentwig and Kazaan Viveiros received honorable mention awards. In addition to ribbons and certificates, first-second-and third-place recipients received cash prizes.
 
“As an artist, it was a thrill to see my pieces sitting in a space that combined art, history, nature and wonderment,” Campbell said. “The show also brought normalcy to what people sorely needed.”
 
Laura Turner Igoe, curator of American art for the James A. Michener Art Museum, Jill Kearney, founder and executive director of ArtYard in Frenchtown, N.J., and Marjorie Frankel Nathanson, executive director of Hunterdon Art Museum, served as the judges for the show. New Hope artist Pearl Mintzer and her husband, Chuck Mintzer, chaired the art show committee.
 
The Art of the River Towns Show, sponsored by Herald Publishing, was planned in celebration of River Towns Magazine’s one-year anniversary, in June, and the Bucks County Herald’s 18-year anniversary this month.
 
The Art of the River Towns Online Sales Gallery will continue through Dec. 31. Visit rivertownsmagazine.com.


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