2017 Art Show

The “Best of Show” and “People’s Choice Award

The Fine Arts Show for 2017 had a total of  135  paintings  and  drawings  displayed
by the students as well as instructors.  The attendance  was  very  good  with  a  steady
flow  of  visitors  throughout  the  four  hours making  the  show  an  encouragement  to  all
the participants.  
The judge for this year’s show was Matt Sterbenz,  a  native  of  Phoenix.    He  has
participated in some of the nation’s top plein air  painting  invitational  events,  including
the  Grand  Canyon  Celebration  of Art  and the Sedona Pl ein Air Festival.  Matt was an
invited  member  of  the  teaching  faculty  at the 2016 Plein Air Convention and Expo in
Tucson, Arizona.  His work has appeared in publications including Plein Air Magazine,
and Southwest Art Magazine.

We  appreciated  his  willingness  to  not only  judge  our  show  on  Friday,  but  to
return  Saturday  and  visit  with  each  of  the participants  to  discuss  their  individual
paintings  and  drawings.    His  critique  of each piece of art work was invaluable and
presented in such a gracious manner so as to encourage the artists to better themselves in
their future work.

First Place Winners in each category

Beginners:  Connie Dugan, “Portrait with Sage”
Intermediate  Watercolor:  Luella Wald, “Spring Rain”
Intermediate Charcoal/Pencil:  Jean  Olson,  “Bird  on  Cactus"
Intermediate  Mixed  Media:  Coni  Kiernan, “City Walk”
Advanced Oil: Kay Norberg, “Hillside in Autumn”
Advanced Watercolor: Marie Kline, “Iris”
Advanced Mixed Media/Acrylic:  Jennifer  Prest,  “Frosty  Morning”
Semi-Pro:  Becky  DeFord,  “Roses  with Buds”.