Local artists win top honors

Vermont artists Robert Carsten of Springfield, Vt. and Robert O’Brien of Weathersfield, Vt. won top honors at the 64th Academic Artists National Exhibition in Vernon, Conn.
http://eagletimes.villagesoup.com/p/local-artists-win-top-honors/1164771

Local artists win top honors Apr 11, 2014 Eagle-Times Robert Carston Local artists Robert O'Brien Enlarge... VERNON, CONN. — Vermont artists Robert Carsten of Springfield, Vt. and Robert O’Brien of Weathersfield, Vt. won top honors at the 64th Academic Artists National Exhibition in Vernon, Conn. Carsten’s pastel painting, “Revelation and Insight” received the Best in Show Award along with a plaque and cash award. O’Brien’s painting, “Autumn Porch with Pumpkin” garnered the top Honor Award in the watercolor category. Both artists are well-known and popular workshop instructors in the area and nationally. The Academic Artists Association’s show is one of the oldest continuing annual fine art exhibitions in the country and was established in 1949 by American Impressionist Harriet Lumis and a small group of artists whose goal was to promote an appreciation of traditional realism in art. The exhibit draws some of the finest artists nationwide and is one of the best shows honoring contemporary realistic art in all mediums. The exhibit runs through April 26 at the Vernon Community Art Center in Vernon, Conn. and is open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.academicartistsassociation.com.