Art Town, 1958

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The winners (see color page), unanimously chosen by a three-man jury:* first prize ($1,500), Manhattan Abstractionist John Ferren, 52, for his The Birches; second ($750), Social Realist Semyon Shimin, 55, for his Discussion Groups—Rome, sketched in Rome during the 1956 elections but finished in Manhattan; and third ($250), Milton Goldring, 40, also a New Yorker, for his Shadow and Substance. The predominant tone of the festival is abstract expressionist, and imitative of the leaders of that movement.

The impact of the festival and the museum has been widespread. Last week, for the first time in its 89-year history, Provincetown's weekly Advocate went to 16 pages. More artists have taken up residence; Milton Avery, John Hultberg, Mark Rothko have made Provincetown their summer home. New galleries are selling paintings faster than in Manhattan. More than just good business, 1958 has brought sparkling new life to the old culture of Provincetown.