Dr. Lawrence Wheeler, director of the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, judged the 238 entries and awarded first, second and third places and honorable mentions in nine categories and also selected the Best in Show award, given annually in memory of Sara Wilson Hodgkins.
In a written judge’s statement, Wheeler stated, “To be the sole judge for the Arts Council of Moore County’s Fine Arts Festival is a distinct honor. The range and number of works submitted is impressive, making the judging a bit daunting. But, as in most community-based exhibitions, the best of each category seemed to announce themselves without much pondering on my part. Such works possess energy, originality, communicate the artist’s impulse, and are executed from a base of experience. Congratulations to each of the award winners and to each artist who placed work in this very fine exhibition.”
The 2005 Sara Wilson Hodgkins Best in Show award went to Edward Jacobson for his 3-D entry, “Twists and Turns,” and was awarded by Caroline Eddy, daughter of Sara Hodgkins. Wheeler remembers Sara Hodgkins, stating, “Sara Hodgkins, my mentor when she was Secretary of Cultural Resources from 1977-1985, was very proud of Moore County and its arts. She was my dear friend as well, and often invited me as her guest to Southern Pines. I felt as if she was looking over my shoulder as I did the judging and then she would smile.”
The Lee Barrett People's Choice Award, voted for by reception guests, went to Robert Way for his oil, “Hello.” The People’s Choice Award was named in honor of Barrett’s 21 years of dedicated service to the Arts Council and the Fine Arts Festival.
A list of the judge's selections follows:
Acrylic
(Given in memory of Elizabeth Morrison Barron.)
1. Gail Saunders, “Nansemond River Golf Club #16”
2. Marion Cornet Chase, “Tomatoes Plus”
3. Robert Moore, “Blue Sunset”
Honorable Mention: Sherry Samkus, “Kit”
Drawing/Pastel
1. Lauren Bobo, “Poppies”
2. Valerie Laszlo, “Almost Awake”
3. George M. Rose, “Uncle Dan”
Honorable Mention: Betty Hendrix, “Nearly Summer”
Digital Art
1. Alphonso Peppers Jr., “Taking a Walk”
2. Mary Ann O’Donnell, “Rural Urbanization”
Mixed Media
1. Denise Rivers Ferrari, “Magazine Bride: American Style”
2. Becky Lee, “Rhapsody in Red and Black”
3. Sandy Stratil, “Family Matters: Grand Illusions”
Honorable Mention: Fay Terry, “Summer Sunday,” Carmen Jones, “Martha”
Oil
1. Robert Way, “Hello”
2. Joan Milligan, “A Le Café”
3. Nancy Yanchus, “Monhegan”
Honorable Mention: Leigh Swanson, “A Chase to Steeple”, Tony Corcoran, “Elm Street, Greensboro”
Photography
1. Tim Sayer, “The Dance” (Given in memory of Edward Green, long-time volunteer photographer for ACMC.)
2. Ashley Fetner, “Angel Oak”
3. Gwen Murray, “La Familia”
Honorable Mention: Linda Piechota, “Enter the Night,” Mike Stratil, “Ancient Instincts in the Modern World”
Watercolor
1. Jeanette Sheehan, “Hill House, Ronda”
2. Leigh Swanson, “Raven-Watches-Ponies”
3. Richard T. Banks, “Central Park Boat Pond”
Honorable Mention: Sydney Somoza, “Oriental Flare”
3-Dimensional
1. E. Jacobson, “Twists and Turns”
2. Valerie Laszlo, “In Full Bloom”
3. Scott Murkin, “Invitation”
Honorable Mention: Alice Thomas, “Fortunate”
The following artists received Purchase Awards from local businesses and individuals: Bill Sitnik’s “Come Along” (photography) from Laurie Rich of Laurie Rich Catering; Becky Lee’s “Rhapsody in Red and Black” (mixed media) from Donna and Tom Swantkowski; Fay Terry’s “Summer Sunday” (mixed media) from Walker Morris of Muirfield Broadcasting; Paula Montgomery’s “Patterns of Abandonment” (acrylic) from Margaret and George Burnett; Jane Casnellie’s “Safe Harbor” (oil) from Mary Gozzi of The Corral; Jane Casnellie’s “Ancient Door Ways, Rome” (oil) from Peggy Sarvis of Sarvis Management and Real Estate; Derry Booher’s “The Pond at the Rainbow End” (pastel) from Ginny Thomasson of Holden, Thomasson, Longfellow; Ann Campbell’s “Reclining” (drawing) from Denis McCullough of Denis Coll McCullough, ASID; Shirley App’s “Garden Blues” (oil) from Rick Zimmerman of ConnectNC.com; Shirley App’s “Old Glory” (photograph) from Jackie Westbrook of Family Income Planning; Maureen Frederick’s “Derelict Door” (photograph) from Jackie Westbrook of Family Income Planning; Barbara Sickenberger’s “Birdie in the Window” (watercolor) from Dr. Bill Terry of Pinehurst OB-GYN Association; and Helen Ozment’s “Blue Note” (mixed media) from Pinky Doyle of ReMax of the Pines.
The exhibit is on display, and all the artwork is for sale at Campbell House Galleries (482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines), through Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20 and 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. The gallery is free and open to the public.
For additional information call 910-692-4356, e-mail acmc@pinehurst.net, or visit the Web site, www.artscouncil-moore.org.
