Art museum announces winners of 72nd regional exhibition

Winning artists Jessica Leger, of Westminster, J. Chris Brault, of Leominster, Amy Patacchiola, of Lunenburg, and Michael Wharff, of Lunenburg, are pictured with Museum Director Peter Timms. COURTESY PHOTO

Jessica Leger of Westminster won the craft prize, at the Fitchburg Art Museum's 72nd Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft.

Leger was one of two Westminster residents to win an award at the contest at museum located on Merriam Parkway. The contest was sponsored by TD BankNorth.

First prize went to Michael Wharff of Lunenburg, second prize to Anna Alfredson of Brooklyn, N.Y., and third prize to J. Chris Brault of Leominster.

Other awards went to Amy Patacchiola of Lunenburg for the Saara Parker painting prize and Peg McWade of Groton for the Peter McCollum prize. Honorable mentions went to Robert Sargent Fay of Hancock, NH, Jean Butera of Amherst, Cheryl Wareck of Lancaster, Tom Mulholland and Marilyn Fraser of Lunenburg, Don Kukta of Westminster, Anne Rice of Northborough and John Weidman of Brookline, NH.

Judges were Robert Oppenheim, former director of Trustman Art Gallery, Simmons College and Greg Mencoff, an award-winning sculptor and instructor of fine arts at Tufts University.

Admission to the museum is: Adults $7, students age 13 and up and seniors, $5, children 12 and under free. Wheelchair accessible. For information, call (978) 345-4207 or visit fitchburgartmuseum. org.