Quaboag 350th art contest prizes awarded

By Ruth M. Lyon Turley Publications Correspondent   WEST BROOKFIELD - The excitement been building throughout the new year. First, the announcement of an art contest for school age children throughout the Quaboag Plantation area. Contestants were provided the rules of the contest and invited to register their submissions, as many as three artworks, on Feb. 6. Entries were numbered, registered and categories ascertained by members of West Brookfield’s Quaboag 350^th Committee and volunteers. They came on that cold Saturday morning, moms and dads and big sisters and brothers, bearing portfolios, envelopes, or just a precious piece of paper in a mittened hand. Each was admired, given the proper identification, and treated with the respect that such works of art deserve.

Each weekend afterward, the grand hall was open, where West Brookfield Quaboag 350th Chairman Barry Nadon  Jr. and his crew had constructed easels upon which the 190 individual items were displayed for perusal and admiration. And finally, the big day. Family Fun Day had been planned as an all-day affair; in fact, it had been planned twice. The initial schedule had listed snow sculptures and other snow fun on the common, with a bonfire, s’mores, and hearty fare across the street at the Congregational Church. But, what if there was no snow? So a cold-but-no snow alternative was planned as well. However, as we all know, the weatherman predicted nothing but rain for the weekend, so the morning program was canceled. Then, the day dawned sunny and pleasant, with a beautiful layer of snow hiding the icy, slushy, muddy ground underneath. Snowmen appeared on a few local front lawns, but the common just stood there looking beautiful. At noon, art contest judges gathered in the town hall, where they faced the tough decisions that must be made: how to bestow four prizes, one for each age group, among 190 pieces of art. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. That task fell upon Dick Chase, Mark Jordan and Rich Suitum, qualified and, they said, up to the challenge. By 3 p.m., the job was done, and the hall’s doors opened to the artists, their families, friends and art lovers from the area.

At 4 p.m, the winners were announced, and came forward to claim their prizes, Quaboag350th coins, struck especially for the Quaboag 350th celebrations. Only one prize was awarded for each of four age categories: age 5-8;9-12; 13- 15; and 16-18.

Christopher Paquette, 8, of West Brookfield, happily accepted his prize for a colorful mixed-media collage of a seahorse. He said he’d attended an art class during the summer “and I guess I learned something.”

 In the 9-12 category, North Brookfield art teacher claimed the prize for Sarah Smith, who could not be present. Her work was an untitled mosaic piece.

Samantha Spielberg, 15, of Wheelwright, joyfully claimed her prize for a digital photo, “Joy.” Samantha is a student at Quabbin Regional High School. Rachael Basset of Warren, age 16, won first place for her category with a painting on canvas entitled “My androgenous self.” She attends Quaboag Regional High School.

Visitors were treated to refreshments as they admired the artwork and congratulated the winners. The committee reminds residents and visitors that this contest is just one of a series of events in West Brookfield throughout the coming months. Posters around town, the Quaboag Current, and listings on the Web site at www.quaboag350.com  may be consulted for up to date information.