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Art lovers pack 23rd annual show
By Peggy Blackburn - Managing Editor
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Walter Winn Jonson’s pastel, “From Here to Eternity,” drew positive comments from numerous show attendees. Stephanie Harrison, show chairman, smiles at the excitement displayed by Kelley Via, who received an honorable mention for her painting, “Boat.” -- Herald Photo/Peggy Blackburn
“This was the best show we’ve had since I’ve been involved,” said Stephanie Harrison, chairman of the Elmore County Art Guild’s 23rd annual winter show. “We had the most entries ever.”
And the number of artworks on display was mirrored in the constant stream of art lovers who spent part of their Sunday afternoon at PrimeSouth Bank examining this year’s offerings.
Attendees studied the pieces on display while discussing them with other visitors and consulting printed brochures that detailed the 113 entries.
“I’m very happy. There are people here from around the tri-county area who’ve come to see the pictures,” Harrison said. “That’s wonderful.”
Marie Powell, who currently teaches at Elmore County High School, judged the exhibit. Powell received her degree in art education at Auburn Montgomery.
“The artworks have such high levels of artistic techniques and originality, it was difficult to limit my selections,” Powell said. “I am always amazed how this small county has such a rich art community; and I am amazed at the level of artistic excellence.”
Many of the artists were on hand for the annual reception and premiere.
“I’m excited to have received a first place and a purchase award,” said Libby Christensen, whose photograph “Down by the Riverside” took top honors in the photography category.
“The first thing everybody has asked is where it was taken,” said Christensen. “I took that picture in Selma, looking down from the bridge. People have guessed all kinds of places it might have been.”
Harrison said that first, second and third place winners in each category received cash prizes; and noted that six new members joined the local guild as show participants.
“We’re always glad to have new members in our group,” she said. “Thanks to all of our members for their participation, and a big thank you to PrimeSouth for being this year’s sponsor.”
This is the second year that Harrison, who has been a member for several years, has been the show chairman.
“It gets easier as I get more familiar with it,” she said. “I’m hoping next year will be even better.”
In addition to the annual winter show, guild members hold a Christmas on the Coosa art show each year, sponsor “Sparking the Arts” for children annually, coordinate rotating displays of members’ work at various locations in Wetumpka and offer art projects at the local senior center monthly.
Works in this year’s show were judged in five divisions. Receiving awards at this year’s Art Guild Show were:
Category I: Drawing
First place, “Now Showing the Dying Town,” Walter Winn Jonson; second place, “White Water Ridge/Below the Deck,” Barbara Fitzgerald; third place, “Sentinel #2,” Eve Perry; honorable mention - “Trolley Fountain One Court Square,” Cecilia Scogin Howe.
Category II: Opaque Painting - Oil and Acrylic
First place, “Afternoon in Gold Star Park,” Judith Ivy Hayden; second place, “The Iris,” Norma Nabors; third place, “Sunrise on Gabriel Creek,” Pat Hoggle; honorable mentions - “Wade’s Shirt,” Judie Hooks; “Apples and Grapes,” Judie Hooks; “Wetumpka Bridge,” Manjula Kumar; “Boat,” Kelley Via; “Drifting,” Lil Hayes; “Enchanted Forest,” Sally O’Brian; “Another Day,” Irene Hope; “Peaceful Path,” Connie Michels; “Silence of Sound,” Nanette Simmons; “Pears,” Peggy Welmorts.
Category III: Transparent Painting - Watercolor
First place, “Fetish for Shoes,” Karen Seamon; second place, “Ward Home,” Bobby Carr; third place, “Hen Party,” Doris Bell; honorable mention - “Civic Center,” Shirley Esco.
Category IV: Mixed Media and Collage
First place, “My Son ... Let Freedom Ring,” Sarita Gish; second place, “Dinnertime at the Point,” Barbara Simpson; third place, “Shooting the Gap,” Carol Hickman; honorable mention, “Eclipse Over the Coosa,” Carol Barksdale Meredith.
Category V: Photography
First place, “Down by the Riverside,” Libby Christensen; second place, “Amanitas Mushrooms,” Doris Bell; third place, “Sunset Bridge,” Peggy Blackburn; honorable mention - “Just Leave It,” Libby Christensen.
Purchase Awards
PrimeSouth Bank: “Autumn Chill,” Judy Lea.
River Bank and Trust: “Wetumpka Bridge,” Manjula Kumar.
Dr. Stephen McCulloch Dentistry: “Sun Burst,” Stephanie Harrison.
First Community Bank: “Follow Me to the Middle Pond,” Barbara Fitzgerald.
ITEC - Dr. Izer: “Down by the Riverside,” Libby Christensen.
Healthcare Systems - Dwight Henderson: “Afternoon Thunderstorm,” Nancy Cooper.
Artworks will be on display through Thursday. Information about the art guild is available online at www.elmorecountyartguild.org.
