|
Just a few of the many artists that won prizes or recognition at the 78th Annual Santa Paula Arts & Photography Show posed for a photo and included (standing, L to R) Ruben Yadeo, Laura Wambsgans, Julie Dahl-Nicolle, Kathryn Kearny, Michael Wood, Darlene Roker, Diane Hanley, Best of Show artist Eric A. Seiler, Darlene Dewing, (seated, L to R) Harold Epstein, Elizabeth Vail Dinkins, Kathy Ikerd, Sheri Jones, Norman Kirk and Richard Franklin. Photo by Bill Spicer. |
Scores of artists, hundreds of art loversM
at SPSA Art & Photography Show
March 27, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
There were scores of artists and hundreds of art lovers at Saturday’s awards reception for the 78th Annual SP Art & Photography Show where “The Way It Was” was the right way, bringing the top $1,000 Best of Show prize to artist Eric A. Seiler.
The top winning painting in the Oils and Acrylics category also brought Seiler the tops prizes in the Peoples Choice and Jury of Your Peers judging categories.
But everyone was a winner at the annual show, the oldest such pre-juried event in the state founded by prize-winning artists where artists could bring home prizes, the public could win raffle items and art lovers could meet the creators they admire the most.
The latter was the case for Lucinda and Dion Anderson who were delighted to meet famed artist Norman Kirk a past best of show winner at Santa Paula and other competitions.
“We have a rooster you painted!” said Lucinda.
A wise choice said Kirk who admitted he enjoyed painting the birds.
Santa Paula Society of the Arts President Kaye Ford said the organization puts in many hours to the show they organize and showcase.
This year, “I even broke down and entered a photo,” not her usual artistic forte but a shot that Ford said just felt that it came naturally.
“It was an accident, serendipity,” Ford said of accompanying her photographer friend who “circled and circled” the cranes at the Albuquerque Botanical Garden, waiting for that perfect photographic moment.
“ … I just went ‘snap’ and got it,” said Ford.
“It takes hundreds and hundreds of hours and a whole crew of volunteers,” to stage the show, said Chairman Gerald Zwers, himself an acclaimed artist.
Kudos were given to Virginia Gunderson, the former longtime SPSA president and “A force to be reckoned with,” that Zwers noted is still deeply active with the society and the annual exhibit.
Lynda Gruber, also a former SPSA president, was lauded for her handling of various aspects of the show, including the painstaking work of counting public and peer votes.
Gene Marzec was given thanks for his decades of hard work in the program and Betty White laughed she was busy doing, “My usual thing,” by giving out raffle tickets to those crowding Blanchard Community Library as guitarist Barry Cooper entertained the crowd.
Zwers noted how unique the competition — which this year drew about 300 entries — is when it comes to prizes offering a Chamber of Commerce and members sponsored Pat Johnson Memorial Peoples Choice, Douglas Shively Jury of Your Peers Excellence Awards decided by the artists themselves and sponsored by Santa Paula Community Bank and the Founders & Judges Awards sponsored by Limoneira Co.
All combined, he noted, result in the Best of Show sponsored by Santa Paula Chevrolet. Prizes totaled more than $4,750.
Camille Yanez of Limoneira Co. said the company is “proud to be affiliated with such a wonderful tradition that is such a part of the Santa Paula community … ”
“I’m honored to represent Santa Paula Community Bank,” said Division President Don Tello, who noted that Shively (who co-founded the show with Jesse Arms Botke and Cornelis Botke) was also a banker whose works continue to decorate the SPCB branch.
“Next year we’re going to have another qualification for entries,” joked Zwers, “ … easy to pronounce names … ”
The exhibit will close April 8.
Blanchard Community Library is open Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12 noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
