NRAS Poster Exhibit-sponsored by the Art Committee

Join us in celebration of North River Art Society's vast history with the NRAS Poster Show at the Jeanne Horan Gallery at Ventress Memorial Library, July 2 - August 23

History of NRAS Festival of the Arts Poster:

In early 1984, the North River Arts Society’s Festival of the Arts committee gathered to plan the upcoming Memorial Day weekend event. They met to discuss new ideas that could be incorporated into the Festival. David Brega, an artist and member of the Board of Directors, suggested producing a commemorative poster that would feature a local artist’s work that could be offered for sale during the Festival. Everyone thought that it was a great idea! David was asked to take charge and the first artist poster was produced and sold to the public, “Iris” by David Brega.

In 1986, a competition was held and open to all artists of the North River Arts Society. Joreen Benbenek’s “GAR Hall” was initially chosen as the winner. The piece depicted a winter scene of GAR Hall and since the Festival of the Arts is an entry to summer event, the final decision was made to choose a different work. The committee produced “Sketching Class” by James Nicol for the 1986 poster. In 1996 the Poster was chosen by “Popular Vote” by people attending the Festival from artwork in the Juried Shows. They chose “Island Blossom” by Margaret Farrell Bruno. Since then, a committee has chosen the poster artist following the philosophy established earlier – the artist must be a member in good standing of the organization and actively participate. Since 2023, the NRAS Arts Committee has held a Poster Exhibition and Competition from which the poster artwork is chosen. This exhibit hangs in GAR Hall in March every year and is open to all North River Arts members.