WINNERS
ANNOUNCED FOR 18th ANNUAL NATIONAL ARTS PROGRAM
Exhibit runs through February 28 at the Government Center
Twenty-five
talented local government employees and their family members were honored
during the 18th Annual National Arts Program awards ceremony and
opening reception on Friday, Feb. 2. The program recognizes the creative
talents of City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
CMS and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library employees, retirees and their family
members. Entries were judged by Lauren Harkey, partner and consultant with
Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy; Jonell Logan, founder of 300 Arts Project, Inc.
and NASCAR artist Sam Bass.
“Charlotte has a
great arts scene that features artists around the country and across the
world,” said Logan. “The National Arts Program is so important because it
allows us to see and celebrate the work of our neighbors and friends who are an
important part of Charlotte’s amazing arts community.”
The reception
featured comments by City, County, Library, CMS and Arts and Science Council
officials and board members. Watercolorist, photographer and writer Cotton
Ketchie was the keynote speaker. Awards were given in eight categories: Adult
Amateur, Adult Intermediate, Adult Professional, Youth, Teen, Best of Show,
People's Choice and the Art Education Award. “I was very impressed with
the overall strength of the artwork in the exhibit,” said Bass. “Each category
of artists had a wide variety of subject matter and compositional diversity
that made it incredibly difficult to narrow them down to just a few winners.”
“This exhibit is
an open and inclusive way to celebrate the creative arts of Charlotte,” said
Harkey. “More importantly, it showcases the creativity of individuals who work
on behalf of the residents of our community to make it a vibrant place to call
home.”
This year’s
exhibit features 203 works of art in all mediums, from photography and
sculpture to painting and mixed media. The exhibit runs through Wednesday,
February 28. It’s free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6
p.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, located at 600 East 4th
Street in uptown. View
the winning pieces.
COMPLETE LIST
OF WINNERS
Best of Show
"The
Brothers" (works on paper) by George Rivera (adult professional),
CATS Driver
People’s
Choice
"Neo Soul" (painting) by Naomi Pridgen (teen), family member
Art Education
Award
“Mysterious”
(works on paper) by Zoey Bell (youth)
Adult Amateur
First Place –
“One to One: Double Exposure on Medium Format Film” (photography) by Holly
Whisman,
Voter Registration Manager
Second Place -
"Look! Look!” (mixed media) by Jessica Prescott,
family member
Third Place -
"JB” (painting) by Anne Masters,
Library Branch Manager
Honorable Mention
– “Snow” (photography) by Sharon Buchanan,
Engineering Project Manager
Honorable Mention
– “Moonshine” (painting) by John Huneycutt, Construction
Inspector
Adult
Intermediate
First Place –
“Homage to the Hunter” (mixed media) by Nicholas Gripp,
Commercial Plans Examiner
Second Place -
"Retired” (works on paper) by Molly Faulkner,
family member
Third Place -
"Looking into the Eyes of a Tzadik” (painting) by Hanah Burke,
Fiscal Support Assistant
Honorable Mention
– “Possession of Self” (mixed media) by April Kinley,
family member
Honorable Mention
– “Serving Bowl” (craft) by Jim Wolf,
family member
Honorable Mention
– “Day into Night” (photography) by Tabitha Carnes Warren,
Senior Communications Specialist
Adult
Professional
First Place -
"Goodbye, For Now” (painting) by Bryan Wilson,
Art Educator
Second Place -
"Overcast Monstera” (mixed media) by Laura Wallis,
Art Teacher
Third Place -
"Homelessness in America: Skid Row” (mixed media) by John Miles,
Recreation Assistant and Art Teacher
Honorable Mention
– “Common Variable” (works on paper) by Elisa Wadsworth,
Teacher
Youth (12 and
under)
First Place -
"Owen” (mixed media) by Isla Lynn
Second Place -
"The Rainbow Peacock” (works on paper) by Angelyna Sorn
Third Place -
"Sky View” (photography) by Ethan King
Honorable Mention - "The
Sunset” (painting) by Annabelle Fath
Teen
First Place -
"Superposition” (photography) by Ryan Hummel
Second Place -
"The Red Balloon” (works on paper) by Rosalyna Sorn
Third Place -
"Here” (mixed media) by Marguerite Kroening
About the National Arts
Program
The
National Arts Program fosters creativity by providing artists of all ages,
backgrounds and levels of talent an opportunity to exhibit their works
publicly. The National Arts Program Foundation, Inc. sponsors the program in
support and cooperation with the Arts & Science Council, the City of
Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and the Charlotte
Mecklenburg Library. Similar programs sponsored by the National Arts Program
Foundation take place in approximately 86 venues in 38 states each year. Local
professional artists and art professionals judge the exhibit. Cash awards are
given to participants for original, creative contributions in the field of fine
arts and crafts.
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