Gari Melchers Home and Studio has announced the People’s Choice cash award winners for the current “Belmont Portrayed” exhibition, which features art depicting the Belmont grounds and buildings, in celebration of the museum’s 40th anniversary.
Elena Broach of Fredericksburg earned the first-place award of $1,000 for her piece, “Eleven Steps.” In second place was Jenna Anderson of Stafford Country, earning $750 for her piece, “Room for Two.”
Third place was Joanne Schempp of Kent, Ohio, taking home $500 for the piece “Historic Stairs in Winter.” In fourth place and the last of the contestants to earn a cash prize was Jill Brabant of Manassas, whose “Belmont Through the Garden” earned her $250.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate owned by the University of Mary Washington. The house is the former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife, Corinne. Located in Falmouth, the site is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark and also serves as the Stafford County Visitor Center.
Provided by the Nicky Seay Charitable Fund, the cash awards were determined by almost 1,000 votes cast in the galleries during the show’s public dates, January 23 to April 17.
The property, both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, is located at 224 Washington St. in Falmouth, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg. Public hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
For directions and more information, call (540) 654-1015, or visit the museum website at www.GariMelchers.org.