Seacoast Online article

Kennebunk, ME - This September marked the fourth year Kennebunk artist, Carol Santora was invited to participate in the Susan Kathleen Black Foundation Annual Artist’s Conference & Workshop in Dubois, Wyoming. This year especially proved exciting for Santora as she was honored with the First Place Award in ‘Other Media’ at the conference’s Miniature Art Show for her pastel painting “Sacred Breed.”

About seventy-five world-class artists from all over the USA, Canada, and Australia were juried to participate in the conference and exhibition. Two ‘miniature’ paintings, image size 9”x12” or smaller, were submitted in the competition by each artist. The quality and diversity of the artwork was impressive. The 4 judged categories included oil, watercolor, acrylic, and other media.

“I was deeply honored to be juried in with such a talented and creative group of artists,” Santora said, “and even more so to be recognized among that group as exceptional.”

Over the last 4 years Santora has become acquainted with many of the best and brightest artists working today at this conference. She has studied with some of the greatest living artists in the world. “I have made many new friends at SKB, and these friendships have enriched my life. I really look forward to my annual painting trip, to see my friends with whom I email all year, and for the uninterrupted painting time. For me, this week of intense, self-directed painting has had a great impact on the bold direction my work has taken.”

In addition to receiving this national award, Santora was selected as one of 4 ‘Emerging Artists & Trendsetters’ featured in the September 2008 issue of the Art Business News Magazine. Art Business News is a national publication noted and respected for its hand on the pulse of the art world including trends in art, new technology, framing, and new art talent.

The Kennebunk animal artist has a genuine love for animals and that love resonates in her pastel paintings. Her work is internationally-collected, and her animal paintings have gained enthusiastic recognition among art collectors, critics, and animal owners in this country, Canada, and Europe.

Santora’s paintings can be seen at the Wright Gallery, Cape Porpoise and the Carver Hill Gallery, Rockport, ME, at her home gallery, Santora Fine Art, Kennebunk, and on her website: www.carolsantora.com. FMI: contact Santora at 207-985-2830, or santora@carolsantora.com.