Inaugural Gina Clapp Memorial Student Art Show a smashing success

What a night!

First, there were the 30 great pieces of art in the show. Then there was a printed program with a great quote from Gina and a list of all of the contributors to the show. Then there were wonderful remarks and Gina memories from CHAW visual art department chair, Ellen Cornett; Gina’s husband, Gene; and CHAW board member Jenny Werwa. Finally, Wednesday Studio entries rocked the awards.

Gina Clapp, longtime beloved teacher at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, started the Student Show in the early 1990s. She wanted to give her students the experience of having their work in a gallery exhibit, including having a professional artist judge the show. You can read this tribute to Gina to see how much she meant to her students and what a great teacher she was.

Gina continued to organize the Student Show every June until she moved away in 2012. CHAW has continued the tradition ever since then, under the leadership of Ellen Cornett. As a CHAW student since 2010, I can tell you it is a great feeling to have your art framed and hanging in a gallery.

Earlier this year, one of Gina’s longtime students, Ida May Mantel, made a generous contribution to CHAW in honor of Gina, and CHAW created a new fund operating as an endowment. The Student Show was renamed in honor of Gina as a legacy to her. Perfect!

You, too, can contribute to this special fund by donating here.

That brings us to last night.

The printed program featured an image of The Last Green Painting, a huge watercolor that Gina painted in her last six months of life:

Along with this painting the program cover featured this quote from Gina:

Most people think the ability to paint and draw is a gift reserved for a few. Not true. Any adult can learn to express himself or herself articulately in paintings. The question is, would you rather do than be done for? I would rather dance the tango, however badly, than watch it live, no matter how well the pros dance. Interest is a real gift, so try! 

The judge for the show, Washington, DC, artist and educator Eric Celarier, named seven honorable mentions in addition to first-, second-, and third-place awards, and a special award for the best watercolor painting, the Maureen Yonis award.

Here are the winners. (Wednesday Studio members have an asterisk by their name. You can see all of the Wednesday Studio submissions by clicking here.)

• Maureen Yonis award: Flowers for Gina by *Tara Hamilton. Watercolor.
• First place: Maine Lake by *Kay Elsasser. Watercolor.
• Second place: The Music Room by Athena Naylor. Colored pencil.
• Third place: John by Martin Rundle. Conte and charcoal.
• Honorable mentions:
  Kiln Gods by Lula Lambert. Ceramic.
  Meat Curtains by A. Leake. Colored pencil and paint pens.
  Saginaw River Lighthouse by *Marian Wiseman. Watercolor.
  Homage to Gina by *Lynne Mallonnee Schlimm. Watercolor.
  [Untitled] by Paul Wind. Charcoal.
  Green Heron by *Eileen Leahy. Colored pencil.
  Ford’s Modeling Debut by Jenna Jablonski. Charcoal

So, that’s it. A good time was had by all.

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