Easter Decoy & Art Festival Award Winners
The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Easter Decoy & Art Festival is celebrated as a rite of spring on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Fine art, carvings, jewelry, sculpture and other artisan crafts were showcased by exhibitors from Pennsylvania to Florida at the two day festival over Easter weekend. It is our honor to announce the 2023 winners with the Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence voted on by the exhibitors and Best Carver and Best Artist voted on by festival attendees. Best picture of Chincoteague or Assateague is voted on by a jury.
2024 Curtis Merritt Award Of Excellence Winner
Patrick Lieb
The Curtis Merritt Award of Excellence is awarded to an exhibitor demonstrating exemplary qualities as an artist or carver as chosen by a jury of their peers. The 2024 recipient was Patrick Lieb, a first time show exhibitor from Berlin, Maryland. His work is an eclectic array of wood sculptures, wall art, and decor inspired by the eastern shore region and peers in his field. Patrick says he works with various wood species from the Delmarva Peninsula seeking to "uncover the inner grains, textures, and beauty to create wood-art that makes people smile". View more of Patrick's work at www.htowooddesigns.com.
2024 People’s Choice For Best Carver
Cork McGee
People's Choice Award for Best Carver was awarded to Cork McGee. An island native for 93 years, Cork began carving hunting rigs for his guided trips hunting ducks and geese. He mentored under Cigar Daisey since he was a frequent visitor in Cigar's shop. Cork's family lived on Assateague Island for many years where his father was a waterman and his mother took care of the home and children.
2024 People’s Choice For Best Artist
Nancy Richards West
People's Choice Award for Best Artist was awarded to Nancy Richards West. Nancy studied art at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she was graduated with high honors for her thesis work in portraiture. When she moved to Chincoteague Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, she applied her experience in portrait painting to wildlife art. Nancy's passion for drawing and painting continues to grow and find new forms of expression. Visit Nancy at www.nancywest.com.
2024 Best Photograph Of Chincoteague Or Assateague
Bob Schamerhorn
Best Photograph of Chincoteague or Assateague was presented to Bob Schamerhorn from Richmond, Virginia. Bob has been a nature photographer since the 1970's and is motivated by the opportunity to share the majesty of our native wildlife. All images are of wild animals, a majority of which are local to the mid-Atlantic region, especially Chincoteague. Sharing experiences from a lifetime, he strives to present the wonder of nature in its "best light". All prints are limited edition, signed and numbered, with a Certificate of Authenticity. See more of Bob's work at www.iphotobirds.com.
