The Milford Stroll
Visit the Exhibit
At the MAC Downtown Gallery
September 25 – November 14, 2025
Curated by Josephine Eke
Artworks Pickup Friday, Nov 14 4-6pm / Saturday, Nov 15 10am – 12 noon
Visitors will recognize scenes that invoke memories, moments, or experiences in Milford, past or present –
its coastline, buildings, architecture, streets or neighborhoods.
Our Judge – Merrilee Main
Merrilee Main is an artist and lifelong resident of Milford. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art from Vermont College of Norwich University, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University and a B.S. in Art Education from Southern CT State University. She has recently retired as a full-time visual art teacher at the secondary and college levels and maintains her Professional Educator Certification.
Miss Main is an Exhibiting Member of the Rowayton Art Center. She has won recognition for both her representational as well as her non-objective work and is experienced in the critiquing and judging of artwork in a wide variety of media. Group exhibits include the Rowayton Art Center, the Milford Arts Council, Albertus Magnus College, and the New Britain Museum of American Art as well as one-person shows at Wesleyan University and The University of Bridgeport.
Miss Main holds that, “The most successful artistic expression is one that synthesizes moving, engaging ideas and the sensitive and purposeful application of media, with a keen eye to design.”
Exhibit Award Winners
Congratulations to our award winners! Well done.
Thanks to all the participating artists for embracing this theme with their talented works.
Here are the awarded works with the judge’s comments.
1st Place- Cathy Liontas “Autumn at the Duckpond”
The artist has created a flowing and dynamic composition featuring an iconic image of Milford’s Wepawaug River graced with an arched stone bridge and beautiful fall foliage. The full palette of color and expressionistic brushwork make this an exceptional painting.
2nd Place- Andy Bishop “Tidal Marsh at Silver Sands”
The strong horizontal format of this painting and the simplicity of color palette synthesize to create a strong yet contemplative composition of Milford’s Silver Sands marshland. The reflection of the sky in the still water below is breathtaking and completes the feeling of space and light.
3rd Place- JF Newman “Seagull and Pier, Gulf Beach”
The silhouette of the Gulf Beach fishing pier is well represented but does not detract from the deep space of the sky in this beautiful photograph. The seagull adds life to the composition, capturing a moment in time as the sun sets in brilliant colors.
Honorable Mention Tracie Ouellette “Low Tide at Fort Trumbull Beach”
Smooth, refined horizontal brushwork and soft, sand colors weave in and around the tide pools in this peaceful and soothing portrait of a low tide beach day with Charles Island in the distance.
Honorable Mention David Krupienski “Beachcomber”
This little painting captures the colors and light of this iconic Milford meeting place in Bayview. The playful treatment of line and application of color adds to the real feel of this legendary “dive” bar that unfortunately is no longer with us.
Honorable Mention Noelle Talman “Independence Day”
In this photograph we see a subtle portrait of Milford’s historic town hall with soft colors in the building and sky adding atmospheric space when contrasted with the foreground of brilliant flowers. The lights on in the building create a symbolic and positive feeling.
Honorable Mention Emily Brymer “Red Winged Blackbird”
This artist has employed a wonderful variety of colors and textures using a mixed-media approach to this captured moment on the boardwalk. The little bird turns to see something in the distance, adding space and movement to this delightful work.
Honorable Mention Jules Kish “Fathers Day at Silver Sands”
This study of many figures in repose is a bright, fun reminder of what a great town Milford is to live in with beaches like Silver Sands and Gulf Beach readily available for a holiday! Many of the figures are quite remarkably painted- a bright and whimsical painting to enjoy!
