"The Frog Prince," an acrylic painting by Chris Jay, was awarded Best of Show in the Massena Artists Associatin's 28th Annual Juried Art Exhibit. The Exhibit contains over 100 pieces of artwork by 57 local and regional artists. It will remain on display at the Massena Public Library through Friday, March 1.

MASSENA -- The Massena Artists Association 28th Annual Juried Art Exhibit winners have been announced.

A number of Canadian artists were featured in the exhibit this year, making the show an international one. The exhibit contained 101 pieces of artwork by 55 different artists in all.

Chris Jay, Norwood, took the Best of Show award for his acrylic painting “The Frog Prince.” His surreal painting received high points for originality, composition, skillful technique and effective use of color.

“I wouldn’t hang it in my home – it would give my kids nightmares. But it’s excellent! It really deserves to be Best of Show,” said one of the judges.

“I just wanted to do something with a frog,” Jay said, when asked what inspired him.

Jay is a SUNY Potsdam graduate with a studio art major. He recently had a solo show at the St. Lawrence County Arts Council Gallery in Potsdam. He also has work on display in a gallery in California that specializes in surreal art.

In addition to surreal art, Jay also paints detailed realistic work. His other entry in the exhibit, “Anne’s Tea Party,” is done in this genre. He prefers working in acrylic paint because of its rich color and fast drying time.

Jay says that he has always painted, but has been painting seriously since 2010. He has entered several MAA juried art exhibits since 2010. In his “day job” he works as a pharmacy technician for Kinney’s in Canton.

The other award winners were:

First Place Awards:

• Megan Barnes for her oil painting, “Dad”

• Donna Smith for her acrylic painting, “Summer Porch”

• Michiko Taylor for her watercolor, “Nellie in Kimono”

• Terry Parkinson for her wood pyrography drawing, “Peregrine Falcon”

• Kylee Disotelle for her photo, “Tranquility”

• Ron Morrow for his wood sculpture, “Pearl of the Forest”

• Pat Campbell for her mixed media work, “Happy is my Garden.”

Second Place Awards:

• Pamela May for her oil painting, “White Boathouse”

• Micheline Tanguay for her acrylic painting, “Belle Table”

• Patricia Badlam Van Patten for her watercolor, “Silent Days.”

• Linda Sauther for her pen & ink drawing, “Warrior Crow.”

• George Fairbanks for his photo, “Grasse River”

• Erin Chapin for her intaglio print, “Tarlaton Sea.”

Third Place Awards:

• Marjorie Decker for her oil painting, “After the Rain.”

• Cecilia Dewey for her acrylic painting, “Shades of Gray”

• William Parmer for his watercolor, “The Mayfly Hatch.”

• Neil McClain for his pen & ink drawing, “John D.”

• Dean Ducas for his photo, “Under Lily.”

Honorable Mention:

• Pamela May for her oil painting, “Charlie Pond”

• S. Taylor Hedges for her acrylic painting, “Waiting for the 6:15 Train.”

• Michiko Taylor for her watercolor, “Buddha”

• Micheline Tanguay for her pastel, “Moulin du Lac Marie.”

• John Armstrong for his photo, “Owl & Owlet”

• Georgette Bacon for her gourd sculpture, “Say Ahhhh”

• Mark Tatro for his digital painting, “Number One Fan.”

Young Artist Awards:

• First Place – High School level: Abby Treers for her drawing, “Summer Shades”

• First Place – Elementary level: Emma Muskell for her watercolor, “Morning Stroll.”

• Honorable Mention – High School level: Abby Treers for her drawing, “Innocence”

• Honorable Mention – Elementary level: Lindsay Burns for her drawing, “Secret Wonderland” and Emma Muskell for her drawing, “Grandma’s Garden.”

Rebecca Shampine-Rowley and Lindsay Turnbull, art instructors at Indian River Central High School served as judges for the exhibit.

The exhibit will remain on display at the Massena Public Library through Friday, March 1. Artists may pick up their work at any time Saturday, March 2.