Columbians sweep State Fair Fine Arts honors

Columbia artists fared well this fall in the State Fair Fine Art Exhibition.

Again this year the AmericraftCanteyBuilding burgeoned with works representing myriad styles, media, subject matter. Artists new to the competition as well as veterans awaited word from jurors as to the fate of their submissions.

In the Professional Division, Lucinda Howe took second place in the Painting on Canvas, Wood or Masonite category with her “Plein Air Saturday”, painted with the group About Face.

In the Painting on Paper, Watercolor Board, or Masonite category, Columbian Jim Finch took first prize with his “Blue Ridge King” and long-time Columbian Anne H. Patterson, now living and painting in Leesville, took second for her “Pure Joy.”

In the Drawing on Paper or Masonite category, Gretchen E. Parker of Lexington was awarded second prize for her “Marble Shadows.”

Columbians took all three top Print awards: Claire Farrell for “Looking for Mr. Right,” Joshua M. Drews for “Like a Fire That Consumes All Before It,” and Donna Lynn Gore for “Peace/Harmony”.

In the Photography category, Virginia A. Saunders of Hopkins was awarded top prize for “Stephensdom”

In Open Media Susan Lenz’s fiber creation “Wasted Words: War” was first; third was Jackie Chalfant’s “Floral Gourd.”

Merit Awards went to Hannah Tvedten for “Cloudscape,” Beverly Stidham for “Untitled,” Marcia Murray for “Pure Joy,” Richard Lund for “Columbia SC Project,” Georgette Wright Sanders for “Crossroads”, Amanda Goforth for “Loki Smiles,” Marcelo Novo for “Perro Bueno,” Traher Cook for “Untitled,” Toni Elkins for “Fish are Frying,” and Abigail Ferrick for Family Tree,”

In the Amateur Division, Margaret Bennett of Chapin’s “BonnaireBay” was tagged Best of Show.

In the Painting on Canvas, Wood or Masonite category, Columbians took the top three prizes. Heather Brabham,’s “Perfect Ten,” Meredith Paysinger’s “Angels Without Wings,” and Barbara Moseley’s “Dawn’s Delight” all received awards.

Rachel Talbot’s “I’ll Think About it Tomorrow” was awarded first prize in the Painting on Paper, Watercolor Board, or Masonite, and Stefanie Cavender won first prize in Photography for “Steph’s Photos.”

Amanda Bolton’s “Gervais” was first in Drawing on Paper or Masonite, and Maria Robinson’s “Star” was second in Mixed Media. Laurie Wozniak’s “Springtime in the Orient” was second in Open Media, and Millie McKinley’s “Unlocked” was third. Regi-D Solis took first prize in Sculpture for “SCSF-2009-02”

Merit Awards went to: Yun Kim for both “Pears” and “Summer 2006”; Robert Marriott was recognized for “Forgotten,” Richard Halford for “Souvenir” Carolyn Hudson for “Incredible Ice” Ida Thomas for “Untitled,” Marianna Crane for “The Calm of a Sunset,”Steven Finkelstein for “Untitled,” Steve Walker for “Footprints,”Jamie Spoko for “Untitled,” and Ronnie Corn for “Summer Rain.”

The South Carolina State Fair Show is the state’s largest annual art show and competition