Artist Charles Hartley, Oneonta,

Wins Coopertown’s 80th National

ONEONTA – Charles Hartley, the Hartwick College physicist who turned to art in his retirement, was awarded the grand prize for “Wave for Hokusai” this evening at the Cooperstown Art Association’s 80th annual National Juried Art Exhibition.

The grand prize came with a $500 award; in all, $3,200 in awards were announced at 6 p.m. on the steps of 22 Main St. during the opening reception.

“His handling and awareness of light and atmosphere were most intriguing,” noted the Brunelli Fine Arts Gallery in Binghamton on accepting his first works in 2008.  “Hartley’s work has grown tremendously in a very short time.  He is self-taught, prolific, and his technique continues to inspire and marvel our visitors and collectors.”

This year’s juror was John Hampshire, himself an artist and recipient of numerous awards.

Two scholarhips were also announced this evening, to Jacob Fassett of Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, who will be attending SUNY Alfred in the fall, and to Sophie Miller, Cooperstown Central School, who will be attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.