80th Annual McLean County
Amateur Art Competition-ExhibitionThrough April 28, 2007
Brandt Gallery
Sponsored by The Alamo II, Jenny Cheek, The Copy Shop, Corn Belt Carving Club, Francois Associates Architects, The Garlic Press, Kelly & Lynn Gray, Ken & Jan Holder, JMC Photo & Digital Services, Timothy Kent Gallery & Framing, Rodney Litwiller, Fred & Lois Mills, The Pantagraph, John & Paula Pratt, Sign-A-Rama, Louise Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stefl, Irving & Jobie Tick, Deb & Steve Wannemacher, Lynn & Patsy Webber, and Doug & Margaret Williams.
Show Winners:
| Stephanie Lebak Merwin Medal Best of Show |
 |
Adults |
University Students |
High School Students |
|
| Painting | 1st Place - Brad Kalavitnos | 1st Place - Brian Allen | 1st Place - Katelyn Blary |
| 2nd Place - Robert Schifano | 2nd Place - Susan Emerson | 2nd Place - Jeong Mi Yon | |
| Graphics | 1st Place - Tim Bratcher | 1st Place - Nathan Parks | 1st Place - Molly Lane |
| 2nd Place - James Baker | 2nd Place - Matt Martin | 2nd Place - Lianna Bankred | |
| Photography | 1st Place - Joyce Preston | 1st Place - Maren Brucker | 1st Place - Justin Schuler |
| 2nd Place - Stanley Klopenstein | 2nd Place - Stephanie Baker | 2nd Place - Zack Hinthorn | |
| Sculpture | 1st Place - Brad Kalavitnos | 1st Place - Peggy Finnegan | 1st Place - Kadie Embry-Franki |
| 2nd Place - Jack Ritter | 2nd Place - Katherine Allen | 2nd Place - Kelly Powell | |
| Skilled Craft | 1st Place - Martin Adam | 1st Place - Susan Emerson | 1st Place - Nicholas Gaithes Brayst |
| 2nd Place - Rebecca Locket | 2nd Place - Jan Brandt | 2nd Place - Jessica Hirschi | |
| Woodcarving | 1st Place - Robert Fairbairn |
This juried exhibition features paintings, drawings, graphics, photographs, sculptures, skilled crafts, and wood carvings by amateur adult artists, high school and university art students from McLean County. Cash prizes, sponsored by local individuals and businesses, are awarded for each media in each age group.
Juror’s StatementThe abstract artist, Arshile Gorky, once said about his own work; "Though the various forms all have specific meaning to me, it is the spectator's privilege to find his own meaning." I considered it a true privilege to have been able to see all of the pieces that were entered in this art exhibition. Artists used a wonderful variety of media and techniques in their personal expressions. I enjoyed seeing this, and along with overall presentation, I enjoyed seeing how each artist employed different elements of design in their work.
This community is very fortunate to have a place like the McLean County Arts Center where the hardworking staff and volunteers provide excellent opportunities for people of all ages to aesthetically learn and grow. This Amateur Art Show continues to be one of these great opportunities--now celebrating its 80th year showcasing a multitude of local talent. Not every community can boast of having such a supportive and encouraging institution in its midst (--however, we can!)
-Sheila Asbell Allen, Juror
Sheila Asbell Allen received her BFA in printmaking and a MS in painting from Illinois State University. For many years she owned and operated Paintin’ Place Art Supplies in Normal. Asbell Allen is an active member of our art community and a generous supporter of the arts in McLean County.
Amateur art show competition displays community artists work -Amy Suhajda for the Daily Vidette, Illinois State University
Issue date: 3/19/07
Walking straight ahead into the gallery, spectators are greeted with a black and white painting of a buckle that rests on what appears to be a man's pair of jeans. Making a left from the painting hangs the familiar faces of singer Avril Lavigne and actress Audrey Hepburn.
The McLean County Arts Center of downtown Bloomington is hosting their 80th annual amateur art competition-exhibition located in the Brandt Gallery. Members of the community are invited to come see the works of amateur adult, high school and college students' artwork.
"Having a show like this is very unusual for a small town like this," Sheila Asbell Allen, a Bloomington resident and juror of competition said. "More artists should definitely take advantage of this."
The art center received 164 entries for this year's competition, but only 88 were selected. Of the entries selected, 46 were high school students, 22 were college students and 20 were from adult members of the community.
"I had fun seeing all the different kinds of artwork from all the different age groups," Allen said.
Thirty-two amateur artists were given cash prizes. Prizes included $75 for first place, $50 dollars for second place and $200 for best in show. The first and second place awards were given to each category of media including painting, graphics, photography, sculpture, skilled craft and woodcarving.
Allen said she judged the competition based on the artists' own originality and overall personal expression.
"I was looking at different techniques the artists used and how the artist used it. Something that was unique and not copied," Allen said.
Among the winners of the competition were some ISU art students, including the winner for best in show.
Stephanie Lebak, a senior BFA student was the winner for best in show for her painting "I Fit with You."
"It was a pretty big honor. I was just standing in the back of the room when they called my name. I definitely did not see it coming," she said.
Most of Lebak's work has a sentimental nature for her love of old buildings and finding the beauty in the decaying residue.
"I like to beautify something others find ugly," Lebak said. "My subject matter is mostly from my dad. He's a building inspector and it just rubbed off on me."
Lebak said she has already found a way to spend her $200 cash prize. "I bought paint already," Lebak said, laughing.
Other ISU students who placed in the competition included Maren Brucker, a senior BFA student. Brucker won first place for her photography piece.
"I wasn't even at the award show when I found out. I was shocked. One of my faculty mentors called me over the phone to tell me the good news," Brucker said.
Brucker's piece was a picture of dresses she had collected from the Salvation Army taken from the snap of a Polaroid camera.
"I do a lot of work with the body. Clothing and fabric is a way to suggest a body without the physical form there," Brucker said.
Brucker's inspiration for using a Polaroid camera for her piece came from her interest on the temporary nature of things.
"Polaroids are dispensable. They are very temporary. It's something you want to hold onto, but can't," Brucker said.
Along with ISU students, amateur adult artists from the community also submitted work into the competition. Bob Fairbairn, a Normal resident won first place for his woodcarving piece.
"I've been competing in it for about 15 years now. It's strictly a hobby," Fairbairn said. Fairbairn's piece was called "Tall Man" and consists of the head and shoulder of a Native American Indian. Most of his woodcarvings are of the busts of Native Americans. "I hope people won't be offended by my work. I admire much of the things [Native Americans] stood for," Fairbairn said.
Another member of the community who received a cash prize was Stan Klophenstein, a Bloomington resident and second place photography winner.
"Last year I won first place for adult photography, and so I entered again this year. It's exciting and fun," Klophenstein said.
Klophenstein said he mostly paints but also has a love for abstract photography. He said he plans on entering the competition again next year.
"It's fun, especially when you win," Klophenstein said, laughing. "It was totally unexpected this year."
The art show runs through April 28 at the McLean County Arts Center, located at 601 N. East Street in downtown Bloomington.
"There's lots of time and effort that went into this art competition," Allen said.
"[The McLean County Arts Center] deserves a lot of recognition for this. It's great that they do this for the community."