NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick. Countless thousands flocked to the 34th annual IMAGES art festival Saturday on Canal Street and Riverside Drive. The two-day festival continues today.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Commissioner Jim Hathaway and his wife were among thousands of people to stroll the eastern end of Canal Street and Riverside Drive for the IMAGES art festival, the chief fundraiser for the Atlantic Center for the Arts.
"What an attraction." Hathaway said, looking for paintaings from his favorite artist Steve Vaughn. "I wish we could do this once a month."
Sue Williams, president of the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce, as just as thrilled: "This is fabulous, absolutely fabulous for New Smyrna Beach."
Former Mayor Sally Mackay did some shopping, buying an iron yard ornament holder and a painting. "This is what New Smyrna Beach is all about," she said. "Everybody absolutely loves this festival."
Even with late afternoon rainfall, people were slow to leave with many opening up their wallets for bargains. And there are plenty of bargains to be had this weekend with some items ad low as $30. Of course, there are really gorgeous works of art for a lot more.
Tens of thousands of art enthusiasts are expected over the two days, along with the talent of over 250 fine artists from around the country, and incredible music to combine for a spectacular 34th annual IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts this weekend.
Presented by Atlantic Center for the Arts, the festival is sponsored by the County of Volusia, the City of New Smyrna Beach, the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, the Community Redevelopment Agency of New Smyrna Beach, Riverside National Bank, and BrightHouse Networks.
Over $100,000 in patrons awards and cash prizes were given. Festival awards were given in six areas by jurors Leslie King-Hammond and Ben Thompson.
"It is always a rare and humble honor to be asked by different art communities to come in and jury a festival," King Hammond said. "The work at the IMAGES extravaganza was rich with diversity, technique, intellect, and exceptional artistry. Jurying is a labor of love, hard work, but richly rewarding, and I feel very honored to have been part of this process."
Thompson added: "Judging IMAGES was an exhausting but wonderful experience. I was really pleased with the quality and diversity of work represented, and impressed by the support of the festival locally and regionally. We chose based on the artists themselves, and their body of work, so the awards are not for individual work, but for the artists. I think the artists will be pleasantly surprised."
The 2010 award winners of IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts, are as follows:
TOP FESTIVAL AWARDS
Contributing photos for NSBNEWS.net by Sandi Carroll. William Kidd of Miramar won Best of Show for his ceramic work at IMAGES: A Festival of the Arts in New Smyrna Beach Saturday. The outdoor art festive hours Sunday are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Best of Show ($5,000 Award): William Kidd / Miramar, FL / Ceramics (Booth #105)
George and June Musson Award ($2,500 Award): John Kreiger / Midland, MI / Painting/Watercolor (Booth #240)
Award of Excellence ($1,500 Award): Nathalie Torres / Kissimmee, FL/ Mixed-Media (Booth #247)
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION ($800 award): Vadim Malkin / Maitland, FL / Ceramics (Booth #178) Sandy Lent / Lake Mary, FL / Glass (Booth #6) Wiwat Kamolporniwijit / Alexandria, VA / Jewelry (Booth #69) Judi Wood / West Palm Beach, FL / Fiber/Leather (Booth #98)
AWARD OF COMMENDATION ($500 Award) Jason Hunt / Orlando, FL / Graphics/Drawing (Booth #65) Michael Bryant / Atlanta, GA / Photography (Booth #171) Robert Kastrinos / Orlando, FL / Ceramics (Booth #86) Jinsong Kim / Mims, FL / Ceramics (Booth #80) Terry Habeger / Markesan, WI / Ceramics (Booth #74) Steve Howell / Gainesville, FL / Ceramics (Booth #44)
JUDGES CHOICE ($350 Award) Holly Hambrick / Ormond Beach, FL / Mixed Media (Booth #132) Ummarid Eitharong / Orlando, FL / Mixed Media (Booth #99) Leah Dziewit / Maple City, MI / Fiber (Booth #244) John Kellum / Orlando, FL / Ceramics (Booth #60) Bill and Jon Slade / Jacksonville, FL / Glass (Booth #110)
AWARD OF MERIT ($250 Award) Jack Hill / Beverly Hills, FL / Sculpture (Booth #185) Dan Hay / Frostproof, FL / Fine Craft (Booth #223) Magali Groves / Orlando, FL / Fine Crafts (Booth #16) Lloyd Cheney / Palm Bay, FL / Wood (Booth #119) Matthew Hatala / Danielsville, GA (Booth #109) Lou McMurray / Dunedin, FL / Wood (Booth #82) Laurie Coppedge / Jacksonville Beach, FL / Photography (Booth #41) Paul M Stevens / Achilles, VA / Photography (Booth #155) Richard Currier / Micco, FL / Painting (Booth #50) Carolyn Currie / New Milford, CT / Painting (Booth #181) Robert Wince / Daytona Beach, FL / Painting (Booth #94) Bill McCamish / Three Oaks, MI (Booth #129)
AWARD OF HONOR ($200 Award) Jeff Ripple / Naples, FL / Photography (Booth #100) Michael Myers / Jacksonville Beach, FL / (Booth #42) Michel Delgado / Key West, FL / Painting (Booth #227) Teresa and Robert Nilsson / Pensacola, FL / Jewelry (Booth #168) Patricia Karnes / Winter Park, FL / Jewelry (Booth #35) Marc and Wendy Zoschke / Springfield, IL / Jewelry (Booth #135)