82nd Annual McLean County
Amateur Art Competition-ExhibitionMarch 2 - April 26th, 2008
Brandt Gallery
Tim Kowalczyk Wins Top Art Prize at MCAC
Tim Kowalczyk, a first year MFA student at Illinois State University’s School of Art, has won the Merwin Medal for the most outstanding work of art in this year’s 82nd Annual McLean County Amateur Art Competition-Exhibition. Kowalczyk earned his BFA at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His winning work, Locked Up, is a ceramic sculpture.
The winners and additional selected works, submitted by amateur artists from McLean County and juried by Cathie Crawford will be on exhibition at McLean County Arts Center through April 25, 2009.
MCAC received 287 entries for this year’s competition. The juror, Cathie Crawford, selected 95 artworks for the exhibition and awarded 29 cash prizes for outstanding works of art by amateur McLean County artists. Cathie Crawford has been a printmaker and art educator for over thirty years. She has concentrated on the woodcut and monotype since completing her Master of Fine Art degree in 1987 from Bradley University.
This exhibition and awards are made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors: The Alamo II, Ron Bacon, The Copy Shop, Francois Associates Architects, Lynn & Kelly Gray, Ken & Jan Holder, JMC Photo & Digital Services, Sue & Bob Lakin, Rodney & Sarah Litwiller, Fred & Lois Mills, John & Paula Pratt, Cathy & Reid Richards, Sign-A-Rama, Louise Smith, Specs Around Town, Robert & Connie Stefl, Irving & Jobie Tick, Timothy Kent Gallery & Framing, Deb & Steve Wannemacher, Patsy & Lynn Webber, and Doug & Margaret Williams.
82nd Annual McLean County Amateur Art Competition-Exhibition
McLean County Arts Center received 287 entries for this year’s competition. The juror, Cathie Crawford, selected 95 artworks for the exhibition and awarded 29 cash prizes for outstanding works of art by amateur McLean County artists.
Entries Received |
Entries Accepted |
|
High School |
151 |
40 |
University |
76 |
33 |
Adult |
60 |
22 |
Total |
287 |
95 |
Juror's Statement
Congratulations to all of you! Keep working, keep entering. You will be successful.
Limited space and 287 entries make for tough choices. Content, form, originality, technique and presentation all weighed heavily in my selections. In considering the works for this exhibition I was very impressed with the Photography and Drawing submitted by the High School students. The Printmaking and Skilled Craft categories stood out among the University students. The Painting was of the highest quality among the Adults. My most difficult choice was Best of Show for I had three favorites.
Cathie Crawford has been a printmaker and art educator for over thirty years. She has concentrated on the woodcut and monotype since completing her Master of Fine Art degree in 1987 from Bradley University.
Show Winners:
Adults |
University Students |
High School Students |
|
| Painting | 1st Place - Sam Hensey | 1st Place - Jan Brandt | 1st Place - Megan O'Dea |
| 2nd Place - Robert Faulkner | 2nd Place - Sara Quiroz | 2nd Place - Chantelle Henery | |
| Graphics | 1st Place - Nathan Parks | 1st Place - Katie Allen | 1st Place - Jessie Sweich |
| 2nd Place - Tim Bratcher | 2nd Place - Emily Cellini | 2nd Place - Anna Schwenk & Dan Janes | |
| Photography | 1st Place - Rashod Taylor | 1st Place - Britten Traughber | 1st Place - Madison Myers |
| 2nd Place - Angie Bray | 2nd Place - Megan Kopka | 2nd Place - Christina Emery | |
| Sculpture | 1st Place - Gerald Dahlstrom-Salic | 1st Place - Casey Hochhalter | 1st Place - Jenna Owens |
| 2nd Place - Chelsea Dyer | |||
| Skilled Craft | 1st Place - Brad Jensen | 1st Place - C J Zimmerman | 1st Place - Chloe O'Neil |
| 2nd Place - Joanna Weichsel | 2nd Place - Aaron Zucker |