Dozens of works in all fine arts media — painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and fiber — grace the galleries at Mystic Museum of Fine Arts through the end of July courtesy of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts.

CAFA was established in 1910 by a group of nationally recognized Connecticut artists to promote diverse works by area artists. More than a century later, the nonprofit organization comprised of artist members, continues its long tradition of presenting annual juried exhibitions. This year’s show at MMoA includes the works of many artists from southeastern Connecticut.

The exhibit was juried by Darby Cardonsky, assistant professor in the art department at Western Connecticut State University and coordinator of the MFA in Visual Arts program where she teaches graduate art courses. She was joined by accomplished artist Will Lustenader, who holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and Master of Arts from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. He teaches at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford.

Cardonsky and Lustenader juried the overall show together and agreed on all the entries (119 total) and prize winners (16), which was quite a large undertaking.

“I was impressed with the diversity of work and the great number of entries,” Cardonsky says. “The quality seemed typical of such large shows, with a broad range from very accomplished, mature work to student (level) or less developed work.”

First Place went to Eileen Eder of Guilford for her still life oil painting titled “Elevated,” due to its technical merit in application, composition, lighting, color and dynamism.

“‘Elevated’ is a wonderful painting. It’s a very strong piece,” Lustenader says. “The eye is constantly moving in a pleasurable journey, while things like an upside-down baby food jar add a thoughtful surprise.”

Shilo Ratner of Woodbridge received Second Place for the oil painting, “The Mindfulness of Tea.”

“It has Vermeer-like stillness despite its successful abstract nature,” Lustenader says. “It conjures up Balthus’s work, yet remains original. It has great spatial relationships.”

For Third Place, the jurors selected Douglas Haddock of Torrington’s “Kenyan Sunset” for its use of combined materials, subtle scale yet powerful imagery, and the variety of textures, in both materials and treatment.

Diane Spira of Mystic took fourth place for her oil painting titled “#14.”

“It brings to mind Diebenkorn’s ‘Ocean Park’ paintings, yet it has its own personality in both the freedom of paint handling and layering,” Lustenader points out. “The eye is always busy searching for a mooring or landing spot in this work. It keeps going back to landscape and then denying it at the same time.”

Mary Felton of Marshfield, Massachusetts, received the CAFA Drawing Award for “Breezing Big Red.”

“It’s a beautifully rendered work in charcoal of surprising delicacy and strength,” Cardonsky says. “Her cropping of the horse is very effective in charging the movement, as is her play of contrast with light and dark. The scale and proportions are perfect, the detail is extraordinary.”

Several other prizes were awarded to local artists, including:

The Sculpture Award went to Gustaf Miller of Stonington for “Etec Building” for its playfulness and references to traditions of totemic sculpture.

“Bringing the urban idea to a ritualistic image is very powerful,” Lustenader comments. “The placement of materials and color is an essential part of its success.”

For the Photography Award, the jurors selected “The Study” by Karin Forde Whittemore of Mystic for both its content and atmosphere.

“It’s a great composition with a powerful historical reference,” Lustenader says. “The scale is important in this respect, as its large size allows the viewer to be in the study itself. The old books beneath the photo of Fidel Castro that hovers is a warm, yet sulfurous atmosphere creating a timeless world.”

The Mixed Media Award went to Diane Kleinknecht of Mystic for her construction “The Wings.” Cardonsky and Lustenader note that what makes the piece particularly interesting is the artist’s use of old camera bodies as the actual housing for the assembled interior elements.

“The camera that creates the image and contains the ‘soul’ of the sitter actually contains a physical manifestation of the individuals,” Lustenader explains. “Tintype photos of heads with shoulders sitting upon images of insects give the piece a strange appeal. People, like these insects, once very busy are now frozen for posterity.” 

Additional awards:

Pastel Award: “Departures” by Kimberly Edwards, Niantic

Wholesale Framing Award: “Form #7” (wet plate collodion tintype) by Markham Starr, North Stonington

Allied Artists of America Award: “Sunday in Luxemburg Garden, Paris” (watercolor) by Rachel Petruccillo, Hope Valley, Rhode Island

Art Spirit Foundation/Dianne B. Bernhard Award: “Sunlit” (pastel) by Deborah Quinn-Munson, Chester

President’s Award: “Written in Sand” (silkscreen) by Jessica Fallis, Southington

Jerry’s Artarama Award: “End of Day” (mixed media) by Deborah Burklund, Bloomfield.

CAFA Graphics Award: “Remembered Melodies” (monotype & ink) by Estelle Laschever, Bloomfield

CAFA Painting Award: “Oh, The Tangled Woods She Leaves!” (watercolor) by Bivenne Harvey Staiger, Cromwell.

IF YOU GO

What: Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts 105th annual exhibition

Where: Mystic Museum of Art, 9 Water St., Mystic

When: Through June 30; MMoA galleries are open every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Info: www.mysticmuseumofart.org or (860) 536-7601