June 2023
Congratulations Winners!
ValleyCAST Announces the Winners of their 10th Annual Art Palette Contest
ValleyCAST, the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services, has invited participants to transform ordinary wooden art palettes into unique works of art every year for the past 10 years. This year seventy-two local artists of all ages and abilities participated in the contest and visitors to the gallery voted for their favorites. The finished palettes, including the 9 winners displaying their ribbons, are still on view in the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery, Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA until 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Cash prizes are awarded to first, second, and third place winners in three different age categories. In the Youth category, Adelie Pliakas, received first place for her palette It Begins with Pollinators, Madison Peyla, second place for her Untitled palette, and Mazzy Hollibaugh, third place for her palette Candyland. Teen category winners included Ava Pelletier, first place for her Untitled palette, Lucy Gibbons, second place for My Favorite Seasons, and Grace Mathieu, third place for her Untitled palette. In the Adult category Tara Corcoran took first place for her palette Pixie’s Hollow, Ashlyn Lambert second place for I have this dream where I’m screaming underwater, and Stephen Paulson third place for his palette Wading for Lunch.
“Everyone who comes to see the exhibit and vote for their favorites comments on how hard it is to pick favorites. They are all ribbon worthy!” Commented Cristi Collari, curator for the exhibit and Director of Community Outreach for Open Sky. “I keep thinking after 10 years people might run out of ideas, but the ingenuity and creativity in this community seems limitless!”
For more information about the contest visit openskycs.org/news-events or to see photos of the winning art palettes, visit Facebook.com/ValleyCAST. This event is sponsored by ValleyCAST, Jerry’s Artarama, and Open Sky Community Services.
To learn more about ValleyCAST and/or Open Sky Community Services, visit openskycs.org.
Attached Photos: 2023 1st Place Winning Palettes by Adelie Pliakas, Ava Pelletier, and Tara Corcoran.
About ValleyCAST: ValleyCAST’s mission is to foster a creative and engaged community in the Historic Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of all people with and without disabilities. ValleyCAST is the arts and culture arm of Open Sky Community Services. About Open Sky Community Services: By blending best practices with the power of community, Open Sky provides individuals and families with the support they need to see beyond and live beyond perceived limitations to pursue fulfilling lives.