The 66th Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, held August 10–11, 2024, along the picturesque Mystic River and Mystic Seaport, celebrated the creativity of over 240 artists, with more than 100,000 pieces of artwork on display. The Festival Jury and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding artists during an Awards Breakfast at Mystic River Park on Sunday morning, recognizing excellence across a wide variety of mediums and crafts.
Sponsor: The Arling Family
Best in Show
Annie Sessler of Montauk, NY, whose evocative work captured the attention of both jurors and festivalgoers.
Sponsor: Jonathan Edwards
Robert Brackman Award—Spirit of Mystic
Anja Bartels from Asheville, NC, for artwork that embodies the character and vibrancy of Mystic.
Sponsor:Grover Insure
Beonne Beronda Award for Best New Artist
Presented to Troy Antoniewicz of Killingworth, CT
Sponsor:Block, Janney, Sisley, LLC
Marion Tetlow Award for Best Work by a Local Artist
Awarded to Rosalie Walsh from Mystic, CT
Sponsor: Sea View / Twisters
Milton Baline Founders Award
Recognized Lucas McGowan from Jensen Beach, FL.
Sponsor: Sift Bakery
Best in Oil Painting
In the medium-specific categories, Karen Murphy of Riverdale, RI, won Best in Oil Painting.
Sponsor:Dens-more Oil and Bugby Plumbers
Best in Acrylic Painting
Local artist Tammy Blais from Groton, CT
Sponsor: Sails Up 4 Cancer
Best in Pastels
Donna Gratkowski of Sparta, NJ
Sponsor: Pochal & Pochal Law
Best in Photography
Jeffrey Payette from Moosup, CT
Sponsor: Mermaid Inn
Best in Sculpture
Kevin McCloskey of PeaceDale, RI
Sponsor: Mystic Marriott and Cerulian Spa
Best in Watercolor
Holly Wach from Pawtucket, RI
Sponsor: Wonder-losity
Best in Ink
John Tetreault of Durham, CT
Sponsor: Amy Rosen
Gail and Alan Rosen Memorial Award for Best Mystic Photo-graphy
Michael Matherson
Sponsor: Katherine Forest Crafts Found-ation
Teddy Goberis Award for Excellence in Ceramics
Naomi Nevo Ben Ari of West Hartford, CT
Sponsor: Louise Forest Gibson Prize
Excellence in Glass,
Doreen Brown from Yarmouth, MA
Sponsor: Mabel Kings-bury Fentress Prize
Financial Planning
Excellence in Fiber
Sponsor: Joseph Gualtieri Prize
Excellence in Wood
Eric Kalwarczyk of Dudley, MA
Sponsor: Alice Clark Hubbard Prize
Excellence in Jewelry
Linda Schneider from Philadelphia, PA
