Winners Showcase 2026 May 16 - June 7
Participating Winning Artists: Jacques Garant, John Mansueto, John M.Morris, Sandra Riddle
Jacques Garant is a visual artist who creates paintings from moments in life, capturing and imagining the experience through art. From a young age to the present, drawing and illustration has been a part of Mr. Garant’s life.
“When I was young, I loved drawing Saturday morning cartoon characters and illustrating space and Sci-fi themes. In my early studies in Architecture, everything was done by hand – before computers. Currently, painting helps focus on the activities that I enjoy most living here on Long Island.” https://jgarant.com/
John Mansueto is a fine art landscape painter and freelance illustrator. “I have always had a desire to creatively record my perceptions of the world around me, to capture a moment in time as seen through my eyes. My formal training in painting and illustration began at Parsons School of Design. My experiences there helped me to develop a strong foundation on which I began my career. However, it was the encouragement of some very fine teachers, especially George Wybenga, an ever-growing circle of great artistic friends and 14 years of work experience with the Fire Island Tide Newspaper that has enabled me to turn my dreams into reality.”
John’s Art now explores Long Island, from the south shore to the north shore including the far reaches of eastern Long Island, isolated coves, estuaries, secluded meadows, ocean beaches, rivers, boatyards, and the Pine Barrens. He enjoys the beauty and scenes of the New England states as well and finds he is drawn to those areas that interest him most. www.jmansuetoartist.com/ www.instagram.com/jm2artist/
John M. Morris - On some level all visual art is decoration. However, I believe a piece can do much more. It can tell a story. Create a feeling. Bring back a memory. For me, I use recognizable objects, places, and scenes to be the foundation of a painting. I also “hide” things in my works. Just because it is fun, but also to give my audience reason to re-visit the piece to see what they might discover.
I create traditional paintings and sculptures as well as digital art. As both a fine artist and commercial illustrator I think I bring a unique perspective to visual communication. Intense dedication to detail and accuracy are important in having my audience see and feel what I was trying to get across. I use visual clues to lead the viewer on a journey through the experience of seeing my work. jmorris@in2itiveweb.com
Sandra Riddle - After over 30 years in the design field, Sandra discovered a new creative passion—photography. “I strive to capture beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed, focusing on moments and objects that make you stop and wonder. Through my lens, I explore unique perspectives, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary.”
A year ago while searching for ways to quiet my overthinking mind, I picked up my camera and began to see the world differently. This journey has taught me to notice the magic in the everyday and to appreciate the details most might overlook. My hope is that my photographs inspire others to pause and see the beauty that is all around us.
“With my photography I want people to see things that they normally would not notice. It is almost like a different world to me, story book like. I wonder what is ahead, what is around the next corner or what is over the next hill that I can photograph. I try to capture images of beauty and wonder that is not typically noticed.” photoartpavilion.com/artist/sandra-riddle/ www.instagram.com/sandys_creative_photos/
