![2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League at Cheshire Public Library.](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-cheshire-public-library.gif)
Cheshire, Connecticut
The 2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League was my first art show. The exhibit was held at the Cheshire Public Library in a dedicated space.
Even Literature – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit
![2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit event literature by the Cheshire Art League.](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-broch.jpg)
Hanging and Receiving (4-2-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit
I volunteered to help hang the exhibit. In addition, my family, wife, and children also assisted with the hanging process. During the hanging, I met several artists I would get to know better in the coming years.
![Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, Member artists hanging artwork for exhibit](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-award-1.jpg)
![Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, Member artists hanging artwork for exhibit - group pose](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-award-2.jpg)
(from left to right)
Paul Miller, John MacKay, Jennifer O’Keefe,
John O’Keefe, Dale Spaner, Danielle O’Keefe,
Angela Orsene, Joan Shackford,
and Joshua O’Keefe (taking the picture)
Award Ceremony and Reception (4-9-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit
With great excitement and anticipation, we arrived early for the award ceremony and reception. There were about 40 people in attendance. As a result, I met and talked with many people, including some artists in the exhibit. During the evening, I received an award and cash prize for my painting, “River Through the Adirondacks.” My family and I had a good time at the 2008 Annual Visual Arts Exhibit by Cheshire Art League.
![Annual Visual Arts Exhibit, John posing with award next to wining painting](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-award-2b.jpg)
Meet the Judge (4-30-2008) – Annual Visual Arts Exhibit
![John O'Keefe and Dianne Gorrick](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-award-3.jpg)
“Technique and brushwork with attention to detail outstanding. The use of the difficult color green is well executed. Distance – good 3D effect. Hudson River School quality.” ~ Dianne Gorrick
About the Judge – Visual Arts Exhibit
![Professional artist Dianne Gorrick](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2008-cal-annual-exhibit/john-okeefe-jr-2008-cal-annual-exhibit-dianne-gorrick.jpg)
Artist Dianne Gorrick’s formal education in the visual arts includes a Bachelor’s Degree from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree from Wesleyan University.
She is the recipient of two National Endowment Fellowships; a research grant concerning the Hudson River School of Painters and a fellowship to attend Dartmouth College, where she studied the art and culture of New England.
A painter and teacher with over thirty years of experience in the visual arts, Ms. Gorrick is represented in many private and public collections, including a prestigious sculpture installation for the Russell Library in Middletown, Ct. A lengthy exhibition history includes the Wadsworth Athenaeum, the New Britain Museum, the Slater Museum, and the Ward-Nasse Gallery, SoHo, N.Y.C.
Ms. Gorrick is an elected artist at the Mystic Art Center and the Essex Art Association. She is a member of the Ct. Plein Air Painters Society and the Lyme Art Association. Working in oils and watercolors, landscapes are the artist’s favorite subject matter. 1
Footnotes:
- Biography information for Dianne Gorrick from her website.