Winners for Gateway to Nature Exhibit

Awards were presented Saturday night for SASi’s Gateway to Nature art exhibit and competition at Southern Arts Society.

The exhibit will be on view Sept 21 – Nov 3, 2023

Participating artists: Susan Arrowood, Deanna Basnett, Janet K. Baxter, Todd Baxter, Shirley Brutko, Ellen Devenny, Faith Ann Gaillot, Dianne W. Garner, Darlene Godfrey, Anne Harkness, Timmy Hord, Robert E. Klar, Emma Kay Lewis, Lori McAdams, Bertie McClain, Janie McVay, Alex Pietersen, Patricia Pietersen, Varsha Pradhan, Ronald Shepard, Denesha Sweat, Jenna Webb, Robb Webb.

Our Judge is Mark Hamilton, Professor of Fine Arts and Interim Chair, Department of Fine Arts at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.


 

Winners with Judges Comments
 

First Place – $250

Artist Todd Baxter with his oil painting of a man fishing at a calm blue pond.

Todd Baxter – Catch of the Day, oil

Todd’s beautiful painting moves the viewer to another place and time. We can feel the morning breeze, hear the flapping of passing birds, and gaze at the beautiful reflection of the sky on the water. The lone fisherman is in harmony with nature, and we want to become part of the scene.

 

Second Place – $150

Artist Denisha Sweat with her collage showing a woman and flowers Maong pasted newspaper clippings.

Denesha Sweat – Fear of Becombing Me, mixed media

This piece is layered with many pieces of information that sends the viewer on a search for meaning. We are not totally sure what the artist means with the title, however, that is the secret of good art. It is not for us to fully understand the artist’s intent but to be moved to create a personal understanding and meaning of the work viewed. I enjoyed the visual journey that it caused me to embark upon.
 

Third Place – $75

Photographer Ellen Devenney with her color photograph of two eagles in a tree.

Ellen Devenny – The Secret World of Eagles, photography

Photography is so easy, that’s why it is so difficult. We are bombarded with so many images daily that we quickly view and move on to the next, so in photography it is difficult to create an image that draws in the viewer. This excellent composition gives us a rare insight into the Secret World of Eagles! Well Done!

***

Merit Award – $50

Rendering of a yellow and blue striped lizard on a red and yellow ground.

Lori McAdams – Blue Tailed Lizard, scratchboard, inks, and watercolor

This wonderful composition put a contemporary twist on the traditional that was as playful as the subject she rendered!
 

Merit Award – $50

Black, white and gray rendering of a white bird standing on twigs.

Robert E. Klar – Waiting, pencil

I loved the beautiful use of pencil and mark making combined the use of a not so traditional background to create an image that transcends the ordinary!
 

Merit Award – $50

ARtist Janet Baxter with her hand stitched rendering of purple tulips and green leaves.

Janet Baxter – Redoute’s Tulips, thread painting

This artist displayed several thread paintings that demonstrated command of the medium, this one was my favorite because of the sense of depth and feeling of light that was conveyed with thread.