2023 Pembroke Arts Festival Jurors
Stephen Sheffield
Stephen Sheffield, a native of the Boston area, is an alumnus of Cornell Univeristy in Ithaca NY, where he obtained aBFA in painting and mixed media. He went on to receive his MFA in photography and mixed media from the CaliforniaCollege of the Arts in Oakland CA, studying directly under and was assistant to Larry Sultan as well as studying underJean Finley, Jim Goldberg and others.
Influenced by film noir, crime novels and the projected memories of past eras, Sheffield constructs iconic moments of mystery, ambiguity and male insecurity. Often the images depict Sheffield’s displaced figure dressed in a suit standing, crouching, turning, walking and leaning. The figure will sometimes be blurred from movement, heightening the sense of surrounding stillness.
Stephen Sheffield has exhibited nationally for many years and has a number of large-scale art commissions in Boston, Philadelphia, Connecticut and New York. He runs the advanced fine art black and white department at the New England School of Photography in Boston, is adjunct faculty at the New Hampshire Institute of Art MFA Program. In Boston, his photography is represented by the Panopticon Gallery."
John Landy
John Landy, originally from Boston and a former summer resident of Pembroke, MA. John has been residing in Montpelier VT for the past 34 years. While in Boston he started a career in the banking and financial services, earned the status of Senior Vice President and continued to do so until retirement in 2019.
During the thirty-four years in Montpelier John became simultaneously involved with multiple non-profit art organizations in Central Vermont at both the Board and membership levels.
• T W Wood Art Gallery & Museum –Trustee and every officer position during tenure, 1991 – 2023
• The Center for Arts & Learning –Trustee and Treasurer 2013 - 2023
• The Vermont Pastel Society – Director, Web Master and Member 2018 - 2023
• The Paletteers of Vermont – President and member
• Art Resources Association – Consultant and member
John’s work with these organizations provided the ability to share his business management and financial services expertise while delving into the realities of operating a non-profit arts organization. Hands on experience with collections management to include curation of exhibitions as well as responsibilities regarding proper storage, conservation and restoration. Key contributor to organizational growth, financial stability and cultural enhancement.
John’s involvement with art in Vermont has also been in the role of an artist with specific attention to landscapes in soft pastel. “I’m challenged with opportunities to connect my love of painting with natural landscapes as I find inspiration in nature and our natural environment. I employ a combination of land, sky, and water to capture the natural world and its peaceful inspiration.” John exhibits his work at locations throughout Central Vermont and maintains his own website and business4theartofit.net.