Awards Announced at Coos Art Museum 22nd Annual Maritime Art Exhibition, July 21

Three artists have been awarded top honors at Coos Art Museum’s 22nd Annual Maritime Art Exhibition. “Best of Show” was awarded to Harold W. Johnson of SeaTac, Washington for his oil, Down to the Sea in Ships. Liné Tutwiler of Beverly Shores, Indiana received the “Port Award” given by the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay for her oil, Harbor Calm and in a vote by the Museum’s Board of Directors, Austin Dwyer of Mukilteo, Washington received the “Directors’ Award” for his oil A Coffin for Ishmael. The “Best of Show” juror and featured artist of the 22nd Annual Maritime Art Exhibition is Frank Gaffney of Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Gaffney is a Signature Member and past president of The Puget Sound Group of Northwest Painters and a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists. He is also a member of the Oil Painters of America and Coast Guard Art Program. A frequent participant in Coos Art Museum’s Annual Maritime Art Exhibition, Gaffney received an “Entry of Merit Award” in 2008 and 2010 and the “Directors Award” in 2009. Mr. Gaffney also selected four works to receive “Entry of Merit Awards” as works of outstanding quality. These works include: Building Sandcastles, an oil by Richard Boyer of Salt Lake City, Utah; A Gathering Place an oil by Don McMichael of North Bend, Oregon; Fish #3 a bronze and wood sculpture by Mitch Rolicheck of Coos Bay, Oregon; and Day’s End an acrylic by Sarasota, Florida artist Richard Shaffett. This year’s “Peoples’ Choice Award” is yet to be determined. Visitors to the Museum will be able to vote for their favorite work through September 12, at which time this important honor will be given to the work with the most votes.