Rain Moves Norwood Art Association’s Second Annual Fall Exhibit Indoors to Morrill Memorial Library-October 1, 1979

It may have been a dull, rainy weekend outside, but inside the Morrill Memorial Library, lively voting and vibrant creativity filled the halls.

Originally planned for the Town Common, the Norwood Art Association’s second annual fall exhibit was forced indoors due to rain. Despite the weather change, hundreds of art enthusiasts—along with library patrons browsing for books—found themselves drawn into casting ballots for their favorite pieces among the 131 works on display.

High Turnout and Youth Engagement

While overall attendance dipped compared to the previous year’s outdoor event on the common, exhibit organizers were thrilled by the high quality of submissions and the enthusiastic participation of young visitors. Children could be seen gathered in corners discussing the artworks and actively lobbying for their favorites.

“I was not disappointed,” one association member remarked. “There was a steady stream of people Saturday and Sunday and we had a lot of children who might not have come if it had been on the common.” In total, 475 visitors cast ballots.

Award-Winning Works

The top vote-getter of the entire show was a small ceramic relief created by Caroline Pannes, depicting two men on horseback descending a narrow mountain trail from a large house atop a hill. Pannes cleverly titled the piece “Next Time We’ll Call First,” and her wit resonated strongly with voters. “I am absolutely delighted and flattered,” Mrs. Pannes said. “I think the title had a lot of appeal.”

Winners across the four competitive categories included:

• Crafts:“Next Time We’ll Call First” by Caroline Pannes
• Paintings:“Eskimo Princess” by Judith Ciardi
• Drawings:“Boy With Red Parrot” by Nancy J. Malacaria
• Photography (Tie):“Reaching Out” by Edward M. Cohen and “Dawn of the New Year” by Steven Sortevik

Looking Ahead to Next Year

Art Association President Margo Mancinelli—an art teacher at Norwood High School—noted that while holding the exhibition indoors at the library lacked the expansive impact of an outdoor venue, she was deeply appreciative of the library’s hospitality.

“Norwood does not have any event outside that pulls everyone together. The library was very hospitable, but there really is not the space there for a show that size,” Mancinelli observed. Praising the “unbelievable” quality of work submitted—noting that the association accepts all properly mounted and framed entries—she vowed, “We’ll be back next year, hopefully, at the common.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger