It’s one of the best exhibits we’ve done so far,” said Randy Anagnostis, executive director of the Rockville Downtown Association, describing the 47 different works of art now in the gallery at Rockville General Hospital. The current show is the largest exhibition the RDA has had since establishing the gallery a year ago.

The Fourth Artists Reception was held on Thursday, Feb. 7, when firstplace winners in the juried exhibition in four categories – watercolors, oils, acrylics and photography – were announced, along with the best-of-show winner.

The quarterly competition, open to local Connecticut artists only, is sponsored by the Eastern Connecticut Health Network and Rockville General Hospital and coordinated by the Rockville Downtown Association, Inc. The RDA Design Committee served as jurors for the exhibit. First place in the watercolors category was awarded to local artist Elle Fagan. Russ Styles took the awards for first place for oils and for best of show. Katherine Camposeo’s artwork took first place for acrylics, and Paul Shimer won first place in the photography category.

“I’m very pleased to have been chosen this quarter,” said Shimer, referring to his award-winning photograph, entitled “Martian Clouds.” An amateur photographer , Shimer said he used 35mm film for years but has now shifted to digital photography. While a conventional darkroom for 35mm film involves special chemicals and papers for developing pictures, Shimer said working in a “digital darkroom” is all about learning software and being able to creatively manipulate an image to produce the desired effect.

With “Martian Clouds,” Shimer said he took an existing photograph of the planet Mars from the public domain, enhanced it to make it his own, and then added additional cloud effects for a composite piece. Shimer has three pieces in total on display at the gallery this quarter , and several of his photos can also be found in the Bicentennial Calendar, printed by the Reminder Press, which benefits the Vernon Education Association . He expects he will be entering future gallery competitions in the coming year.

Elle Fagan’s watercolor, entitled “Forsythias,” is an expression of her delight in the beautiful spring flower. She said she brings such branches inside as soon as they begin to bud and enjoys their early blooms. “There are different styles of watercolor, depending on the effect I wish to achieve, and I use several,” said Fagan. “‘ Forsythia’ shows the depth and effect to be achieved by layering many transparent washes of color in varying techniques. And, of course, so many layers mean that the painting takes a longer time to complete.”

Fagan said she has four miniatures that hang as one, but the display can be sold separately in the show. The components are entitled, “Dogwood,” “Berries ,” “Crown of Thorns” and a favorite, “Fancy Easter Egg.” She invites everyone to stroll through the gallery corridor to browse the artwork and get a feel for the promise of spring that is just around the corner.

“This is very much a collaborative effort between the hospital and the RDA,” said Donna Roy, secretary to Andrew Beck and RDA liaison. Not only does the artwork brighten up the walls of the hospital for patients and staff, but the gallery also offers a venue for local artists to show and possibly sell their work, she said.

The current exhibit will be on display through April 25. All pieces on display are for sale, unless otherwise stated.