“We Are One” by Al Harden

The annual Whitewater Valley Art Competition awards reception was held October 29 at Indiana University East.  Originating in 1978 with open judging, the event has hosted prestigious artists and art experts of national acclaim for the jurying.

Of the 166 entered works, 43 were selected by Juror James Elkins, E.C. Chadbourne Professor in the Department of Art History, Theory, and Criticism, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Elkins determined the award winners.

The exhibit will be on display in The Gallery and Meijer Artway from October 29 to December 4. The competition accepts entries from artists throughout a 300-mile radius around Richmond.

For more information on the exhibit, call Ed Thornburg, curator, at (765) 973-8605.

Top Eight Entrants
First Place
Al Harden, Cincinnati, Ohio –“We Are One,” photo

Second Place
Walt Bistline, Richmond, Ind. – “Wellness Center Diptych,” photo
Katherine Van Drie, Valparaiso, Ind. – “Auxilium Persolutum II,” installation
Kenneth W. Preston, Muncie, Ind. – “Y’s Art – Wise Art – Why’s Art: Veiled,” mixed

Third Place
David B. Johnson, Muncie, Ind. – “The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa,” linocut
Walter Kiel, Gratis, Ohio – “Miss Haversham’s Garden – Dead Kudzu,” pastel
Jerry D. Thompson, Richmond, Ind. – “Not Always Greener,” acrylic on canvas
Benny Kenworthy, Richmond, Ind. – “Democracy: It’s Supposed to be Messy,” acrylic on canvas

Honorable Mentions
Scott Anderson, Hartford City, Ind. – “Gates of Purgatory,”    acrylic on paper
Sarojini Jha Johnson, Muncie, Ind. – “Threatening and Invasive Creatures,” book
Rochelle Martin, Union City, Ind. – “Transitory,” archival inkjet print
Shea Henke, Richmond, Ind. – “Memories,” metals
Jack Phelps, Richmond, Ind. – “Woodpecker,”  mixed
Michael Livingston-McAuley, Indianapolis, Ind. – “Jana With Hat,” graphite on paper
Sydney Joslin-Knapp, Dayton, Ohio – “The Misadventures of Manuel,” aquatint
Deborah C. Ness, Richmond, Ind. – “Frigid,” digital photo
Fred Bower, Muncie, Ind. – “Happy Corner,” photo
Laura Levine, Indianapolis, Ind. – “The Dogs of War,” ceramic