Peabody International Festival Announces 2026 Galleria Art Show Winners

PEABODY, MA — Peabody's 2026 Galleria Art Show winners have been announced — continuing an annual tradition tied to the city's International Festival.

The awards recognized professional and amateur artists across painting, drawing, and photography, along with honors for diversity, best in show, and a visitor-selected favorite.

In the professional division, Dottie Doucette took first place in oil painting for "Great Scents" and also placed third for "Memories." Michael Barbera won first and second in professional acrylic painting for "Afternoon Sailing" and "Island Life." Eileen Montbleau won first in professional watercolor for “"Antique Car," while Lorraine O’Brien earned first in professional drawing for "Ten Pound Island." Jillian Stanton swept the top three professional photography spots with "Grasshopper," "Ammonoosue River" and "Spooky Tree."

Additional professional honors included an honorable mention for Maryann Bancroft's "Nora" in oil painting and one for Eileen Montbleau's "Little Girl/Beach" in acrylic painting. In watercolor, honorable mentions went to Montbleau for "St. Signs Kennebunkport" and Emily Kwong for "Cupid’s Daydream."

The Diversity Award went to Susie Allen for "Krakow Girl in Polish Dress," and the judges' Best in Show award went to Virginia Dunford for "The Chief."

In the amateur division, Sheila Falco won first in oil painting for "Irises," with Alan Baribeault taking second for "Summer Marsh." Roseanne Ankiewicz placed first and second in amateur acrylic painting for "Luna" and "Ryder." In amateur watercolor, Dunford took first and second for "The Chief" and "Sidewalk Charm," while Claudia Lebron-Hernandez won amateur drawing for "MLK 'I Have Dream'."

Nancy Pantano appeared several times among the amateur winners. She placed second in drawing for "Pax Humana," earned an honorable mention in watercolor for "WELCOME to the USA," and won first in amateur photography for "Fun + Gus, Fungus Among Us." Desarae Myette took second in that category for "Bird in Rock," and Catherine Grassello placed third for "Pink House."

The show also included a public voting component. The People's Choice Award for most popular piece went to Michael Barbera for "Island Life."