WATERCOLOR WINS BEST OF SHOW IN NEOSHO ART COMPETITION

Area artists took home awards over this past weekend from the 31st Annual Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibition in Neosho. The annual event is presented by the Neosho Arts Council and displayed inside the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce. Artists working in traditional 2D mediums competed for over a dozen prizes in both the emerging artist and professional artist divisions.

“This show was started to honor Neosho’s native son and famed regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton while giving our area artists the opportunity to show and compete in a professional show,” said Sarah Serio, President of the Neosho Arts Council.

This year almost 90 works of art fill the gallery space inside the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce in historic downtown Neosho. Artists from across the four states submitted works in a variety of mediums including oil paintings, mixed media, watercolors, pastels, and more.

“Judging shows is one of the most difficult things that I do,” said Zeek Taylor, a professional artist out of Eureka Springs, AR, who served as this year’s judge. “I try to put personal preferences aside as best I can, and judge each piece on its artistic merit. Many pieces were worthy of awards, but only so many awards can be given.”

The first set of awards presented were merit awards that recognize an outstanding work that did not win one of the main prizes. Those awards were as follows: Merit in Mixed Media, Bruce Wachter for The Witness; Merit in Works on Paper, Jared Ean Jennings for It’s Only a Broken Heart; Merit in Watercolor, Rachel Cabral for River Fish, Merit in Acrylic, Sandra Parrill for Myths, Magic and Makers; Merit in Oils, Linda Webster for Calm Water, and the Mary Ellen Pitts Memorial Pastel Award, Dan McWilliams for Rangers.

“I was very surprised and honored,” Webster said on winning her merit award. “The competition was outstanding and honestly, I almost did not go to the award ceremony, cause I didn’t think I stood a chance, and it’s a 2.5 hour drive for me.”

Webster is a primarily self taught artist who has had a life long desire to become an artist. Her winning entry is a scene of a Minnesota waterway. “I love to paint water and the shine on the water drew me in,” she said.

“I entered the competition because I am trying to get out there and see what I can do and meet other artists,” Webster added.

Awards were presented to the top three works in the emerging division. This category is for artists who are just starting their art careers, finishing college, and entering their first competitions. This year’s winners were: Third Place Emerging Division, Bailey Harrison for Lucien in Yellow; Second Place Emerging Division, Nan Lien for Valentina in Milan; and First Place Emerging Division, Randall French for Blue Truck and Silos.

Professional artists, those who have worked in the arts as a career and have shown extensively, also received awards. The awards were as follows: Third Place Professional Division, Debbie Reed for Two for Joy; Second Place Professional Division, Jamie Kelly for As We Pass; and First Place Professional Division, Andrew Batcheller for The Coil of the Galah.

“Artists who put their work out there for the world to see are all winners. It’s not always an easy thing to do,” Taylor said.

The overall Best of Show was awarded to Rachel Cabral for her watercolor titled, Taking Flight.

“I feel honored to have won. This piece is very special to me. It feels amazing to have it recognized,” Cabral said.

Taking Flight is the first in a series of portraits she plans on painting of elderly women. Cabral was struck by the subject’s quiet pride and dignity. “I knew I had to paint her,” she said. “To me, this piece is a portrait of a life well-lived, strengthened through hardship and with countless stories to tell.”

The exhibition along with the winning works of art will be on display through October 23 at the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I love the variety and talent represented in this show. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity of so many talented artists,” said Lauri Lyerla, executive director of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce. “Art is an important part of Neosho’s history and identity. Showcasing it downtown adds to the character of our community and celebrates the talent found here.”

Visitors are welcome to stop by the Chamber offices at 216 West Spring Street in Neosho and view the works Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm. The works are also online at neoshoarts.net.