Outer Banks residents and visitors gathered at Dare County Arts Council on May 5 for the 22^nd Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show opening reception.

Photographer and designer Annalee Lanier carefully selected the awards recipients listed below from 75 entries.

“The show is a lovely collection of images that captures an essence of the light and beauty in the Outer Banks, as well as an interesting and inspired spirit as a whole from the artists,” said judge Annalee Lanier. “I employed a scoring system that included the categories of technique, composition, creativity and originality. The chosen pieces accumulated a high score in each of these categories and my subjective emotional response to the Best In Show piece tipped the scales, giving it a winning score.”

Best In Show, sponsored by Lucky 12 Tavern: Bobby Wiltshire “Blue Gate” (watercolor)

Excellence Award, sponsored by The Willey Agency: Mary Edwards “Nags Head Pier, Deep Water” (watercolor)

Excellence Award, sponsored by the Outer Banks Forum: Mary Ann Remer “Window. Morning. Early.” (mixed media)

Excellence Awards, sponsored by Zillie’s Island Pantry and Mollie A. Fearing & Associates: Paul Newman “Off Broadway” (etching) and Linda Lauby “Pea Island and 1870 Chart: KDH to Loggerhead Inlet” (layered photos and historic nautical chart)

Honorable Mentions, sponsored by Zillie’s Island Pantry and Mollie A. Fearing & Associates: Tracy Bell “Tobacco Season” (acrylic), Shelley Booth “Limonata” (watercolor), and Judith Saunders “Rivers of Copper and Paper” (hand-painted watercolor paper & copper)

People’s Choice Award: Alla Rossow “Sunflowers” (collage)

“The Fearing building gate caught my eye months ago and I had to catch a time when the sun was hitting just right to create the shadows I wanted,” said Best In Show award recipient Bobby Wiltshire. “I love the worn blue and rust. Seeing the Best In Show award beside my piece made my knees buckle. It’s so exciting to see a ribbon on your painting in a juried art show. I’ve never talked so much and hugged so many people. It was awesome.”

The show is held in memory of Mollie A. Fearing, one of the founders of Dare County Arts Council, and is known for showcasing vibrant, eclectic artwork.

“This is the show’s 22^nd year and every year I think it gets better,” said owner of Mollie A. Fearing & Associates and Mollie Fearing’s daughter Grizelle Fearing. “The Best In Show piece is fabulous! Thank you to my friends from local businesses for sponsoring the show. We are honored to sponsor this show and it means so much to my family.”

The 22^nd Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show will remain on display through June 1.

Kelly’s Catering provided a festive taco bar at the opening reception.

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

For more information about this show or upcoming Dare County Arts Council events and exhibitions, call 252-473-5558 or visit DareArts.org.

Dare County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.

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