Fall Festival Art Show Features 51 Artists, 132 Entries

CLIFTON FORGE — With 132 entries from 51 different artists, the 2020 Fall Festival Art Show is “huge and quite wonderful,” said AHACC Curator Nancy Newhard. “There is a wide variety of styles and something for almost every taste.”
The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center has announced the participants and winners of the Fall Festival Art Show on display through Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the center’s gallery located at 439 E. Ridgeway St.
The exhibit is free. The center is open to the public 10-4:30 Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m.
The public is also invited to cast a vote for their favorite by using the ballots in the gallery. These will be tallied and a People’s Choice Award will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibit. 
Participating artists include:
• Clifton Forge: Kathrine DuPoise, Allen Hickman, Nancy Newhard;
• Covington: Bonnie Keyser, Kyle Keyser, Jules Lee, Heidi Rogers, Mary Jane Spencer, Bev Toole Warburton;
• Daleville: Helen Hubler;
• Eagle Rock: Hazel D. Bowers, Lois McMullan;
• Hardy: Nannette Gagliostro;
• Harrisonburg: Mary L. Rouse;
• Lynchburg: Julia Dean, A. Stewart Morris, Purnell H. Pettyjohn, Linda S. Williams;
• Moneta: Rose Mary Atkins, Marie Campbell, Nancy Stellhorn, Denise Swain; 
• Palmyra: Tanya Broderick;
• Piney River: Wanda Brockman;
• Richmond: Judith Anderson;
• Roanoke: Betsy Briggs, Rita Carroll, Bobbie Caton, Sally Grace Branch, Courtney Cronin, Susan Egbert, Susie Feinour, Jane Winders Frank, Mike Hutkin, Michael Morris, Susan McLaren, Mary Anne Meador, Cat Shrewsbury, Annie Schultz, Joel Tucker; Betty Williamson;
• Salem: Margaret DuBois, Bill Hill, Mary Lou Hill; 
• Troutville: Judy Lochbrunner;
• Vinton: Keith Lynn Bullock, Nina McGee;
• Warm Springs: Sarah Williams;
• Willis: Cheryl Mackian;
• Gap Mills, W.Va.: Louise Chandler;
• Rainelle, W.Va.: Sharon Johnson.
Winners in the various categories include:
• Best In Show: Helen Hubler, Daleville, “The Reader.”
• Virginia Fraser Memorial Award: Michael Morris, Roanoke, “Shona Elephant.”
• Oil/Acrylic: Allen Hickman, Clifton Forge, “Snow Storm,” first place;  Sue Egbert, Roanoke, “Tallulah Gorge,” second place; Purnell Pettyjohn, Lynchburg, “Off Randolph Street,” honorable mention; Sally Grace Branch, Roanoke, “Fishing Hole,” honorable mention; Susie Feinhour,   Roanoke, “Passing Storm,” honorable mention.
• Watermedia: Betty Williamson, Roanoke, “Social Distancing,” first place; Purnell Pettyjohn, Roanoke, “Springtime Spree,” second place;  Sharon Johnson, Rainelle W.Va., “Grandma’s Flowerbed,” honorable mention.
• Mixed Media/Collage: Courtney Cronin, Roanoke, “Sunday in the Park,” first place; Judy Lochbrunner, Troutville, “The Pitcher’s Perfect,” second place; Mary Rouse, Harrisonburg, “See and Do,” honorable mention; Lois McMullan, Eagle Rock, “Flight,” honorable mention.
• Fiber: Bonnie Keyser, Covington, “Christie’s Garden,” first place; Bev Toole Warburton, Covington, “Quilter’s Self Portrait,” second place; Lois McMullan, Eagle Rock, “Triangle’s Play,” honorable mention; Heidi Rogers, Covington, “Dismembered Flowers,” honorable mention.
• Drawing: Joel Tucker, Roanoke, “Rainbow Rock,” first place; Bonnie Keyser,Covington, “Davis’ Holesteins,” second place; Keith Lynn Bullock, Vinton, “Hilton Head Sand Dollar,” honorable mention.
• Pastel: Wanda Brockman, Piney River, “Ole Slick Vaughan,” first place; Margaret DuBois, Salem, “Sunset, My Solitude,” second place.
• Sculpture: Lois McMullan, Eagle Rock, “Pearl and Ruby,” first place; Michael Morris, Roanoke, “In the Forest,” second place; Katherine DuPoise, Millboro, “Cow Pasture River Rocks,” honorable mention.
• Graphics: Bonnie Keyser, Covington, “Anne’s Japanese Peonies,” first place.
Judge for the show was Roanoke artist Suzanne Davis Ross.
Following a career in graphics and fashion illustration in that city, Ross earned an MS in art education from Radford University.
She is a member of the Watercolor Honor Society, founding member of the Virginia Watercolor Society with Signature status, and continues to exhibit in their annual exhibits as often as possible. She also continues to study with American masters of watercolor.
A self-described “art encourager” and collaborator, she has shown with the Franklin County 4, the Virginia 8, and most recently, the Soup Group, a collection of 44 regional Virginia portraitists. She particularly enjoyed 10 years as an elementary art specialist for the Franklin County Public Schools.
“I agree with artist Robert Genn that ‘Art is fluid, transmutable, open-ended, never complete and never perfect. ART is an event,’” Ross said.  “I’m delighted to be asked back for a second opportunity to judge the work in his show.
The artists have obviously made good use of COVID quarantine time by putting their art sensibilities, brushes and other implements to excellent use.
“I am delighted that the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center was able to continue to do this exhibit and am impressed by the range of subject matter and skills offered here,” she added. “I love that many of the pieces suggest a sense of humor or whimsy — that seems especially important just now. Every category has work that demonstrates good design, skillful technique and imagination.
“Congratulations to one and all and thank you for providing this chance to enjoy the show,” Ross said.
“Our appreciation goes to the artists for their hard work and great turn out for the 2020 show,” said Nancy Newhard, AHAAC curator. “Over the years of presenting this very special exhibit we have seen artists — and the show itself — grow and develop. Artists tryout new ideas, others exhibit work for the first time, and many continue to polish their skills. The community is richer for their efforts.
“I hope everyone will take time to see and enjoy it — and vote for their favorite for people’s choice award, while the show is on display,” Newhard continued. “Each year it just seems to get better and better.
“Congratulations to each one for you all for this making this a great show for our guests,” she concluded. “A huge amount of credit and appreciation also is due our volunteers who really make the show happen in an amazingly short period of time frame for check in, arranging, hanging, lighting, proofreading, glass cleaning and labeling. Thanks go to Director Connie Baker, Betsy and Buddy Carter, Becca Ball, Honey Hepler, Lois Mc Mullan and Heidi Rogers.” 
The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m.
It is supported by its members, contributors, the town of Clifton Forge, the city of Covington, Alleghany County, The Alleghany Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts
The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center can also be found on Facebook and Twitter and can be reached at highandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com.
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Helen Hubler of Daleville won Best in Show during  the annual Fall Festival Art Show which is currently on display at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge. Hubler is standing beside her winning entry, “The Reader.” (P.E. Marshall Photo)