Jun 5, 2008

Ava Art Guild's Spring Fine Arts Show was open for public viewing from May 27-31. The standard of work entered seems to get better and better with each show, and this year was no exception. Visitors to the gallery on East Washington, invited to vote for their favorite piece of art found it a difficult choice to make. Artists ranging in age from 5 years to senior citizens submitted a total of 100 works of art. Ava Art Guild welcomes entries at all ability levels, from those just beginning to the very experienced. This spring's show was judged by Valda Aguero, currently art instructor at Norwood High School. Ms. Aguero holds degrees from Moorhead State University, Minn., California College of the Arts, and San Francisco Art Institute. After viewing entries and awarding ribbons in all 13 categories, Ms. Aguero had to make the most diffi¬cult decision of all: selecting Best of Show. After much deliberation the judge selected a magnificent 20x30-inch still-life drawing by Donna Moskaly. Entitled simply, "Pencil Study", the drawing realistically depicted a variety of natural textures. Other judges awards were as follows: Beginner Pencil: Marjie Demp¬ster-- 4HDays. Advanced Pencil: 1st, Rita Fancher--Grandad Connor; 2nd: Suzy Meelhuysen--A Pair of Paints; 3rd, Billie Marler--Zane. Beginner Colored Pencil: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and Honorable Mention: Jeanette Gooden--Butterfly Studies. Advanced Colored Pencil: 1st, Donna Howard--Della; 2nd, Donna Howard--Ella Grace. Advanced Pastel: 1st, Suzy Meelhuysen--A Run In The Snow; 2nd, Jimmie Marler--Alley Springs; 3rd, Suzy Meelhuysen-Newland Hall; 4th, Jimmie Marler, George Washington Carver Lake. Intermediate Charcoal: lst, Kathy Breshears--White Wolves; 2nd, Kathy Breshears--Best Friends. Advanced Charcoal: 1st, Ralph Cadman--Portrait of a Boy; 2nd, Donna Howard--In His Hands. Scratchboard: 1st, Kathy Breshears--Fire Wizard; 2nd, Bob¬bie Breshears--Hugs and Kisses; 3rd, Kathy Breshears, Black Lion. Intermediate Acrylic: 1st, Pat Taylor--Peace and Contentment; 2nd, Anna M. Cluck--Homestead; 3rd, Linda Carlson--Summer Lace; 4th, Anna M. Cluck--Blue Lake. Advanced Acrylic: lst, Glen Carlson--Moonlight and Mesa; 2nd, Donna Moskaly--Flower Study. Beginner Photography: 1st, Julie Allen--Union Road; 2nd, Julie Allen--Old Hay Truck; 3rd, Julie Allen, Fishing Buddies; 4th, Julie Allen, Glimpse To The Past; H.M. Julie Allen, Sunset. Intermediate Photography: 1st, Pam Price--Theodosia Bridge; 2nd, Sharon Marler--Rough Going; 3rd, Sharon Marler--Sweet Treat; 4th, Sharon Marler--Nature's Beauty; 5th, Sharon Marler--Orchid; Honorable Mention, Pam Price--Flower After Spring Rain. Advanced Photography: 1st, Kathy Breshears--Take Time To Smell the Flower; 2nd, Jimmie Marler--Cody's Corndog; 3rd, Jimmie Marler--Reflections; 4th Jimmie Marler--Butterfly. Enhanced Special Effects Pho¬tography: 1st, Kathy Breshears--Sara's Ghost; 2nd, Julie Allen--Daisies; 3rd, Kathy Breshears--Spider Monkeys; 4th, Julie Allen--Maple Leaf; Honorable Mention, Julie Allen--Colors of Fall. Intermediate Oil: lst, Janetta Foster--Done With Chores; 2nd, Marjie Dempster--Hawaii; 3rd, Janetta Foster--Offshore Light¬house; 4th, Pat Taylor--Lighthouse at Night; Honorable Mention: Janetta Foster--Buzzard Creek Mill. Advanced Oil: 1st, Suzy Meel¬huysen--Nathaniel Newland Mill; 2nd, Jimmie Marler--Light of The World; 3rd, Nancy Price--Home From The Sea; 4th, Nancy Price--Captains Dreams. Intermediate Watercolor: lst, Marjie Dempster--Boy at Play; 2nd, Sandy Flincham--Spring Flush. Advanced Watercolor: 1st, Donna Moskaly--Henson's; 2nd, Glen Carlson--Pals, Bear and Cody; 3rd, Glen Carlson--PF Flyer; 4th, Glen Carlson--Calm Before The Storm. Mixed Media: lst, Jeanne Huff--Bring Home a Piece of the World; 2nd, Marjie Dempster--Untitled; 3rd, Kathy Breshears--A Dying Breed; 4th, Kathy Breshears--Nesting Eagle. 3D: lst, Elizabeth Brown--Ozark Meadow; 2nd, Joanne Forbes--Buttons and Beads; 3rd, Joanne Forbes--Autumn Leaves; 4th, Regina Robertson--In Flight; Honorable Mention, Linda Carlson--Purple Passion. Junior Division Under 12: lst, Becca Howard--Bug On Leaf; 2nd, Rachel Howard--Aquarium; 3rd, Devin Howard--Lemurs; 4th, Jacob Howard-Polar Bear; 5th, Rebecca Howard---Abstract; Honorable Mention, Luke Howard--Daffodil; H.M. Natalie Berthold--Wood Elf. Under 18: Kendra Young--Grand Charge; 2nd, Laura Berthold--Racing the Sun; 3rd, Laura Berthold--Celtic Treasure. People's Choice Award in the adult division went to Suzy Meel¬huysen for her pastel drawing "A Run In The Snow." People's Choice winner in the Youth Division was Kendra Young for "Grand Charge", a work in watercolor. Upcoming Ava Art Guild Events: A non-judged Photography show to run July 7-12; No entry fees for this one. The annual Theme Show: Our Heritage Art and Photography, based on things pertaining to your own heritage. This is also a non-judged, no-fee show. Non-juried shows are exhibits, and artists may exhibit the same art in a previous or future juried show. The next juried show will be in October, in conjunction with the Flaming Fall Revue--dates to be announced later. For information on this or other Ava Art Guild Events please call Donna Moskaly, 417-948-2048, Suzy Meelhuysen, 417-265-3048 or Helen Hoogen¬doorn 417-683-3907. Financial Assistance for these projects is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, A State Agency, and the Douglas County Community Foun¬dation.