Juried Art Competition Best of Show winners recognized
BY: JEANNINE LEJEUNE
ONLINE EDITOR
The Crowley Art Association officially recognized the 2014 Rice Capital Juried Art Competition winners Saturday night at a packed awards reception at The Gallery.
One hundred twenty-two art pieces divided into 10 categories saw many artists, both familiar and new, be acknowledged for their works.
“We had a lot more entries this year,” said Crowley Art Association President Robert Baxter prior to the awards ceremony.
“This contest helps the Crowley Art Association put on its programs and service all of Acadia Parish.”
Baxter explained that he knows how hard it is for artists to put their works up for judgment, putting their “heart and spirit” up, but wanted to assure them that they had done so for a good cause.
Recognized as Best of Show winners were Paula Jacobi’s “Windswept” (Best of Show: Adult) and Caroline Daigle’s “The Beautiful Church” (Best of Show: Student).
The artists were also recognized as first place winners in their respective categories, “Windswept” in Portraits and Figures and “The Beautiful Church” in Middle School.
Jacobi’s piece, the first by her to be recognized as Best of Show, features her granddaughters at a beach house.
Obviously excited, Jacobi quickly congratulated her fellow winner as she talked more about her piece.
While Jacobi has been taking lessons with Baxter for several years, “Windswept” was a painting she did on her own at home.
“The Beautiful Church” started with a photo Daigle found online, though she isn’t sure what church it is, and, for her, winning student Best of Show felt “very good.”
“I wanted something with more detail,” she said. “I always try to do something different each year.”
All winners in attendance were recognized by category by Baxter, Gallery Coordinator Susie Baronet and the Crowley Art Association.
The Crowley Art Association will recognize its Children’s Summer Workshop participants and the art they created with a reception on Aug. 9 from 2-4 p.m. at The Gallery.