Anne Dawson, professor of art history at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been announced as the unanimous winner of the 2018 Victorian Society in America Ruth Emery Award. Her book, “Rare Light,” explores the life and career of American impressionist J. Alden Weir, an artist who created some of his most notable works while living in Windham, CT. The Ruth Emery Award recognizes top scholarly work on 19th-century regional history.
The book is rated 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon, receiving numerous positive reviews from critics. “Within a growing body of distinguished literature on American art, the volume sparkles with rich historical detail and fresh archival research,” said Patricia McDonnell, director of the Wichita Art Museum. “As editor and lead author, Anne Dawson makes a meaningful contribution to our knowledge of American impressionism through the lens of a finely focused study.”
“Rare Light” was one of 109 titles submitted for the awards, which included categories in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young readers. Each category was reviewed by a panel of five judges, all with substantial expertise in the literary arts. The books were reviewed over a course of three months, with each category critiqued according to a specifically assigned criteria. Of the 109 books, only 17 were selected for the list of finalists.
Dawson has been an Eastern faculty member for 24 years, and now serves as chair of the Art and Art History Department.