Celebrating Excellence: Winners of the 2025 Heart of the River Plein Air Invitational

The 2025 Gloucester Arts Festival proudly celebrated another extraordinary year of artistic brilliance during the Heart of the River Plein Air Invitational, a signature event that has become one of the most anticipated arts experiences in Virginia. Hosted by the Cook Foundation in the historic coastal community of Gloucester, this year’s competition brought together master painters from across the nation—and beyond—to capture the vibrant beauty of Tidewater landscapes, working outdoors in the plein air tradition.

“We were absolutely thrilled to welcome some of the finest Plein Air artists from across the country—and even across the pond—to compete in the 2025 Heart of the River Plein Air Competition of the Gloucester Arts Festival,” said Suzanne Scott, 2025 Plein Air Committee Co-Chair. “The talent this year was truly outstanding, and we’re so proud to showcase artwork that beautifully captures the stunning landscapes and scenic charm of our coastal community.”

The Invited Artists painted en plein air over several days in a variety of settings—riverbanks, historic farms, shaded woods, busy boatyards, and quaint Main Street scenes—before submitting their best works as part of the 2025 Heart of the River Exhibition. From over a hundred exceptional paintings, the following awards were presented by nationally acclaimed artist and judge, Bob Upton:

🎨 Major Awards

• Best in Show – David Lussier, Fish Shack on Perrin Creek (Sponsored by Carney Patterson Meade PLC)

• Artists’ Choice – David Lussier, King’s Fish Campo (Sponsored by Theresa Stewart Hupp)

• 2nd Place – Doug Clarke, Mobjack Waterman (Sponsored by John & Sherri Milner)

• 3rd Place – Andras Bality, Aberdeen Creek (Sponsored by Shoreline Structures)

2025 Heart of the River exhibition at the Fine Arts Museum of Gloucester

🌿 Category Winners

• Best Landscape/Agricultural – Lynn Dunbar, Lily Farm (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best Nocturne – Greg Barnes, Strawberry Moondance (Sponsored by Gloucester Brewing Company)

• Best Floral – Allison Barry, Summer Meadow (Sponsored by Riverwood Designs)

• Best Animal – Hema Gupta, Odd One Out (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best Architectural – Richie Vios, Rain or Shine in Gloucester (Sponsored by Dovetail Construction, Inc.)

• Best Marine View – Jeff Steiner, Perrindise (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best Use of Light – Jenny Aitken, Field of Gold (Sponsored by Roxanna & Bill Andersen)

• Best Symphony – Durre Waseem, Italian Hues (Sponsored by NextHome)

• Best Sunrise/Sunset – Mark Fehlman, Machicomico Sundown (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best River – Mary Veiga, River’s Song (Sponsored by Donald Rainey)

• Best Boat – Antwan Ramar, Rain Check (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best Water – Suzie Baker, Passing By (Sponsored by Margaret & John Singleton)

• Best Tree or Wooded Setting – Kyle Buckland, Morning Light on the Lane (Sponsored by Dermatology Consultants of Gloucester)

• Best Figurative in a Landscape – Lyudmila Tomova, Carnival in the Morning (Sponsored by The Cook Foundation)

• Best New Artist – Charles Newman, Body of Work (Sponsored by Gloucester Graphic Design)

• Best by a Virginia Artist – Martin Geiger, The Gardener (Sponsored by Bridgewater Salon)

• Best of Main – Community Artist – Don Kaupp