MASSENA -- The Massena Artists Association have named Sandra A. Young, Dickinson, the Artist of the Year for 2013-14.

The award is based on the three oil paintings Young submitted of MAA’s 29th Annual Membership Art Exhibit, “Fall in Upstate NY,” “The River,” and “A Place to Rest.”

Young is a professional artist who has participated in MAA exhibits for several years. Although she works in many different media, Young usually submits oil paintings of Adirondack and North Country landscapes to MAA exhibits.

Young has developed a technique in which she uses multiple layers of varnish on her paintings which gives them a glossy texture and an “antique” feel, reminiscent of landscape painters of the 19th century.

Young says that she has been an artist “forever,” or at least since she was a toddler scribbling on the walls. Although Young has never matriculated at an art school, she has taken many classes, seminars and workshops.

Young has owned and operated her own business, “Share A Bear Inc.” since 1985. She is a toy manufacturer who designs and produces dolls and teddy bears in various media, ranging from ceramic teddy bears to rag dolls.

She has worked in prop-setting, setting up photo shoots for magazines and advertisers. Young has been commissioned by the US Postal Service to design pen & ink drawings to be used as envelop cachets.

She uses her art for fundraisers for various causes and works with handicapped children doing art, including teaching at Paul Newman’s camp.

Other award Winners are:

First Place Winners:

Sandra A. Young for her oil painting, “Fall in Upstate NY.”

Cecilia Dewey for her acrylic painting, “Alaskan Native”

Vern Mauk for his watercolor, “Behind Alcoa.”

Arielle Simonds for her charcoal drawing, “Timeless.”

Dorothy J. Badger for her photo, “Barnum Pond 2"

A. James Murray for his mixed media work, “Self Portrait.”

Second Place Winners:

Marjorie Decker for her oil painting, “Around the Bend.”

Eileen Boots for her acrylic painting, “By the Fence”

Christine Zavgren for her watercolor, “Swamp in Fall – Russell Turnpike”

Lorna Eldred for her pen & ink drawing, “Wolf in Youngep’s Clothing”

Carl Goodrich for his photo, “Shady City Bridge”

Lorna Eldred for her mixed media work, “Mohawk Baskets.”

Third Place Winners:

Sallie Patterson for her oil painting, “Fall Reflections”

Cecilia Dewey for her acrylic painting, “Oswegatchie Reflections”

Jackie Hodges for her watercolor, “Beacon Light”

Vern Mauk for his ink drawing, “Our Tree”

Dorothy J. Badger for her photo, “Franklin Falls Reservoir”

Marilyn Burrill for her mixed media work, “On the River.”

Honorable Mention:

Marjorie Decker for her oil painting, “End of the Day.”

Marilyn Burrill for her watercolor, “Breezy”

Dave Pepe for his ink drawing, “Adirondack Bath House.”

Dave Pepe for his mixed media work, “Down the Line.”

MAA would like to thank Cathy Hance for serving as this year’s judge. She had the difficult task of selecting the winning entries from nearly 60 pieces of excellent quality artwork.

MAA would also like to thank all the members who submitted work to this exhibit. All regional artists are invited to join MAA, and to submit work to future exhibits.

The Massena Artists Association’s 29th Annual Membership Art Exhibit will remain on display at the Massena Public Library through Nov. 15.

Artists may pick up their work at any time on Nov. 16.