Award-winning Art – A Fresh Look art competition and exhibit at Southern Arts Society
Southern Arts Society announced winners for A Fresh Look art competition at a public reception on Saturday night, July 21st. Artists from around the region entered their best work to compete for prizes at this unique venue housed in the historic Southern Railway Depot. There was no theme for this show, so artwork represents a wide variety of subject matter, from landscapes and pet portraits to abstracts. The eighty-nine works of art entered include paintings in all media – oil, acrylic, colored pencil and mixed media, along with photography and ceramics. Artists were asked to show their most recent works taking a fresh look at the world around them; to try a new style; or a new medium; drawing ideas from real life to their wildest imagination.
Judge Sharon Dowell had the difficult task of selecting winners from this year’s competition. Ms. Dowell is a painter, public artist and Arts Instructor at the Community School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC. Dowell participates in artist residencies internationally and has work in many corporate and private collections. She obtained her Masters in Arts Administration from Winthrop University in 2017 and earned a BFA from UNC Charlotte in 2002. A native Houstonian, she has resided in Charlotte for 18 years.
Ms. Dowell selected first, second and third place prizes (shown above) along with three merit awards. First Place was awarded to C. M. “Kit” Kakassy for her acrylic piece Beyond the Tangible. Second Place went to James L. Norman for his oil painting Hatteras Afternoon. Third Place went to Ben Godfrey for his photograph Mt. St. Helens.
Merit Awards (also shown) were given to Sara Setzer for Caladiums with Two Jacks, Lori McAdams for Man’s Fedora and Eric Ray for Twilek with the Death Star Earring.
A Fresh Look will be on display through August 24, 2018.
Trail Photography Competition at Southern Arts Society
A public reception was held Saturday evening, July 21st at Southern Arts Society where winners were announced.
Judging the photos was Sharon Dowell, a painter, public artist and Arts Instructor at the Community School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC. Dowell participates in artist residencies internationally and has work in many corporate and private collections. She obtained her Masters in Arts Administration from Winthrop University in 2017 and earned a BFA from UNC Charlotte in 2002. A native Houstonian, she has resided in Charlotte for 18 years.
From 24 entries, Ms. Dowell selected awards for first, second and third place. First Place went to Ellen Devenny for her black and white photo Ride the Trail(shown above). Second Place went to Lynne Parker for her color photo 7–July-18. (not shown) Alex Pietersen won Third Place for his black and white photo Reflections. (shown above)
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Southern Arts Society (SASi) Gift Shop & Gallery is located at 301 N. Piedmont Ave. at the intersection of Piedmont and Battleground Avenues in the historic Southern Railway Depot. SASi offers a gift shop, ongoing exhibits and art competitions, programs and classes in a variety of media for artists of all levels. Currently on exhibit A Fresh Look and Trail through August 24, 2018. Hours: Tues – Sat, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is Free.
For more information please visit SouthernArtsSociety.org, or call 704.739.5585. Email southernartssociety@gmail.com.
Southern Arts Society