Midcoast artist a top pick at juried Harlow exhibit

A Freeport artist took second place at the opening reception May 10 for the Harlow Gallery’s 24th annual juried art exhibition, when Art2019 prizes were announced. 

Amy Kustra of Freeport won a $250 cash prize for her oil on canvas entitled “Waiting for America.”

In his comments on the piece, juror Myron M. Beasley, a professor at Bates College, artist-writer and international curator, said, “In ‘Waiting for America’ Amy Kustra astutely displays a pause of everyday life. It is waiting as in contemplating. Apparent is a sassiness as the hand placed on the hip, and shrill direct look at the onlooker. ‘Waiting for American’ tells a story through a precisely selected plate of colors to emote both the casualness and exquisiteness of every day without sacrificing the integrity on technique.” 

Art2019 is on view through June 15, at 100 Water Street in Hallowell in the upstairs gallery. 

In all, 38 works by 38 artists were accepted out of 370 works submitted by 167 artists. Included were Topsham’s Andrew Edwards, Orr’s Islander Catherine Gibson, James Chute of Freeport and Doreen Nardone of Harpswell. 

‘Be an Outsider’ makes L.L. Bean an insider

L.L. Bean took home gold at the biennial Broderson Awards ceremony honoring creative excellence in Maine on May 2. 

The event – named after local radio and advertising legend Dick Broderson – has been showcasing Maine’s best and imaginative work for more than 35 years. More than 300 people attended the event at the University of New England’s Innovation Hall in Portland.

Winners were chosen by the Portland, Oregon, Advertising Federation from over 250 submissions by over 40 companies.

L.L. Bean won gold for its “Be an Outsider” advertising campaign, which was created by The VIA Agency of Portland. In addition, Best in Show for Corporate or Brand Identity was won by Maine Ad + Design, which hosted the awards ceremony. The University of New England won in the Annual Reports, Brochures and Corporate Collateral.

Twenty-seven categories and subcategories were recognized, including best “Brand Identity,” “Digital Video,” “Pitched and Ditched” and the Cumberland award, which recognized projects completed on a small budget.

Amy Kustra of Freeport took second place when Art2019 prizes were announded at the reception for the annual Harlow Gallery juried exhibit on May 10 for “Waiting for America.”