Juried artists showed their work, consisting of paintings, jewelry, pottery, photography, metalwork, wood turning, and more in historic downtown Saluda.
Artwork was divided into two-dimensional and three-dimensional categories.
Awards were based on skill, presentation (visual impact), intention (mood etc.), and consistency.
Taking Best Overall with a $500 award was Jim Carson, Saluda, NC. Jim Carson has been painting in both oil and acrylic for more than 20 years. His work has been described by art critics as "fresh and painterly." Jim is presently represented by Wickwire Gallery in Hendersonville, NC, Ocmulgee Arts in Macon, GA, The Frame Shoppe in Augusta, GA, and Blue Valley Gallery in Cashiers, NC.
Three-hundred-dollar awards were given to second place winners in 2D and 3D.
Bill Gramley, Lewisville, NC, received the award in 2D, and Linda Marie Miller, Inman, SC, won for her 3D artwork. Third place in 2D and 3D won $150; winners were Bruce Bunch for 2D, Taylors, SC, and George Getty, Greenville, SC, for 3D. Honorable mention awards of $50 were given to Jeff Pittman, Laura Faye Long, Jocelyn Davis, and Mike Cowan.
Judging the art work were:
- Rich Nelson, a painter and teacher from Tryon, is a nationally known portrait artist and has been featured in American Artist magazine.
- Robert Dunning is a professor of art at the University of North Carolina Asheville, where he is chairman of the art department. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drawing and painting and a Masters of Fine Arts in printmaking. His art work is on display at Blue Spiral I Gallery in Asheville.
- Ben Pfingsta has a Masters degree in painting and a PhD in art history. He taught art for 10 years at Norwich University in Vermont and currently teaches continuing education in art at Blue Ridge Community College and Isothermal College.
Chuck Hearon was the official photographer for the arts festival and his pictures will be uploaded to saluda.com soon. Through his pictures you can capture the essence of the day-beautiful weather-great art-kids having fun-food-music-volunteers working-a community blending in harmony with visitors enjoying all Saluda has to offer.
The Saluda Arts & Music Festival raised more than $500 through a raffle held during the seventh annual festival held in historic downtown Saluda on May 15, 2010.
The proceeds will serve as a scholarship and presented to a Polk County High School art student.
Prize takers won an original painting by Jim Carson, Saluda, NC, an overnight stay at the Orchard Inn with dinner for two at the Purple Onion, and a Green River Adventures trip for two with a gourmet wine basket from Saluda Wine and Cheese.
Thanks to all who purchased tickets for the raffle.
Photos by Chuck Hearon
Mark your calendars for the 8th annual Saluda Arts & Music Festival May 21, 2011.