Best of the Fest
2009 Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts FestivalBest of Show AwardsEach year at the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, a panel of judges decides on the best artwork of the Festival. Thank you to this year's on-site jurors Heidi Schmenk, Studio Director Glass Axis and Caren Petersen, A Muse Gallery for their thoughtful review of the artists participating in the Festival. These judges normally select four winners- best of show, first place, second place and third place. Third place was a tie this year, a rarity, but the judges felt strongly each artist's work was deserving . The Awards Presentation takes place on the main stage at 2:25 p.m.
Best of Show takes home $600, first place receives $300, second place wins $250, and the two third place winners get $100 each. Along with the monetary award, the five winners are automatically invited back for the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival without being juried.
Congratulations to the 2009 Festival Artist Award Winners.
Best of Show Chuck Wimmer - Digital Booth # 43
"I make large scale, full color digital drawings. Instead of drawing on paper, I draw directly onto my computer screen. I use my computer as a drawing tool. It's a brave new world."
First Place Mary Ann Wurst - Ceramics Booth #18
"Using nature as the prime inspiration for my work, I have incorporated my surroundings into a rich texture of clay and glaze using the surface of the pot to tell a story."
Second Place Adam Kaser - Glass Booth #169
"Molten glass gathered out of a furnace onto a steel blowpipe then hand blown and sculpted using traditional hand tools. Detailed patterns and textures are achieved with colored powder glass drawings made on a steel table then melted into the piece and cased in clear glass."
Third Place Meg Gates - Fiber Booth #69
"My wearable art is knitted entirely by hand. The fibers are wools, mohair and silk blends. Hand dyed yarns are used to impart depth and texture to my work. Each piece is unique. The meticulous finish work enhances the quality of my felted pieces."
Kaska Firor - Jewelry Booth #159
"Creating with wire is my way to open my inner self to the world.
The ability of a simple line (wire) to transform into infinite shapes and textures seems magical to me. I use traditional and innovating wire techniques as well as those borrowed from textile and basket weaving arts. I knit, weave and crochet the wire using my imagination as a guide. I take my inspiration from endless variety in nature, and other artists' work. I aim to create objects that are visually complex, provide tactile variety and inspire intellectual curiosity."