Montauk Pioneer - August 22, 2008

Under a cloudless blue sky and golden rays of sunlight, a myriad of white-tented booths housed 75 of some of the best artists from all over the world. They came from the US, France, Israel, China, Lithuania, and of course, Montauk. They were chosen to show their work at the eagerly anticipated 14th Annual Juried Art Show on the Montauk Green this past weekend. "It is our largest and biggest fundraiser of the year," explained Anne Weissman, the Treasurer and Fund Raising Chairman of the Montauk Artists Association. President Celina Stein, artist and author, describes Anne as "The one who runs the show; nothing is possible without Anne."

Never to be found sitting still at an art exhibit, one has to go on a treasure hunt to find Ann in her signature red shirt and straw hat. With a fascinating background that includes racing sailboats at her college, Northwestern University, being a Director at the Dorsett, Vermont Training Camp for The USA Cycling Federation for ten years and a timer and scorer for the International Racing Team for twenty years, Anne is used to the fast lane. Perhaps it is no wonder that Anne chose to design needlepoint canvases which are in over three hundred stores across the country as a balancing venture. There is no doubt that Anne Weissman, the charming, energetic, professional, savvy and much admired gal, is the backbone of the artist's organization.

An array of fine art paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, graphics, photography and sculpture decorated the Village green. The delightful children's tent displayed their wonderful, imaginative and colorful projects which they designed and made during the Art Depot's free summer classes for children.

One of the two judges for the show, Eva Iooss, the amazing painter of botanical watercolors painted on watercolor paper or old manuscript paper, has lived in Montauk for thirty years with her distinguished photographer and author husband, Walter Iooss. Walter is the well-recognized sports photographer whose Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue is a world wide event. Ioos new book, The Athlete, is already a home run. Eva also works with oils, painting images of birds, and her collages of dried flowers, paint and even bugs are intricately unusual. Taking a break every now and then to walk and run with her two three-legged dogs, Eva is quite a versatile artist, wife and mother.

Liz Jorg Masi, of Garden City and Montauk, worked as a fashion designer for magazines, stores, and advertising agencies. Known for her portraits which capture the individual in an action or setting that describe that "moment in time" she is the wife of artist and art educator, Antonio Masi. Toni Masi's series of iconic New York City bridges is magnificent. Both Liz and Toni monitor open studios for portrait and life drawings at the Art Depot.

Awards were given in three categories; painting, photography and sculpture.

A blue ribbon for Shannon Elkins from Medford, NY, who won first prize for painting, was certainly coveted. Shannon, a young mother of five, also devotes many hours to her many passionate volunteer health organizations. Rasa Pranckunaite, from Lithuania, was tops in photography and in sculpture. Kimber Fiebiger, from Minneapolis, earned top honors.

All the artists celebrated at a complimentary dinner, given by the Artists Association on Saturday evening at Second House Tavern, where many reunited with artists they remember from previous Montauk shows and others held around the country. Bill Kinney, Director of Paragon Art Festivals, who presented Montauk's Fine Arts Festival over the Memorial Day Weekend, recalled the special spirit of this first festival and that the weather for each of these distinguished art events was perfect. Paragon Arts will present another art exhibit in East Hampton over the Labor Day Weekend. Anne Weissman and her husband Hal Weissman who manages the Art Depot building both contributed so much to make this entire weekend such a tremendous success.