Among the previous events hosted by the Scantic River Artisans was a juried art show in June 2025.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
HAMPDEN — Scantic River Artisans is preparing for its rapidly approaching June show, featuring original art handpicked by a team of professional painters to ensure buyers a high-quality purchase.
“Celebrate Art,” Scantic River Artisans’ eighth annual juried art show, is being held on June 13-14 in the Hampden Senior Center’s Community Room, 104 Allen St. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The event will also include a free art raffle for a painting by Scantic River Artisans member Joyce Donovan. Refreshments will also be available on both days with live music and a reception with many of the artists from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
Scantic River Artisans has over 65 members from Wilbraham, Hampden and the surrounding towns, with a mission to “connect the community through diverse, dynamic and creative experiences,” a press release said.
“Scantic River Artisans provides opportunities for local artists of all ages and skill levels to explore, develop and market their creations,” the release said.
Juried art shows are a competitive exhibition where artists submit their work to be selected by a group of jurors. Only the work selected by the jurors will be featured at this art show, all original work that is available for purchase. Jurors this year include Alex Ranniello and Eliza Moser.
Ranniello is an award-winning artist from Enfield, Connecticut, that specializes in portraiture and figure painting, utilizing oil pastels, colored pencils and acrylics. He has been featured in over 120 group and solo shows.
Moser is a contemporary realist painter, originally from Springfield, whose work reflects “classical realist methods,” the release said. She was introduced to fine art at the age of 14 and has since opened her own studio in South Hadley.
Moser has studied art extensively, with time at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy and was the youngest artist at the time to be accepted into the Academic Artists Association’s 62nd National Exhibition in 2012.
Scantic River Artisans said this event will have something for everybody to appreciate, with wall art in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, mixed media and sculpture.
Likely work to be found at this show include art from Artisans member Brian McQuillan, who recently won first place in the Monson Arts Council juried show for his sculpture, “Ma.” Member Donna Villamaino was also featured at this event for her painting “Path to Memories.”
More information on the event and the Scantic River Artisans can be found at scanticriverartisans.com.
