Catalina Island News

54th Annual Catalina Festival of Art Breaks Records

2012-09-25
Catalina Art Association

The Catalina Art Association presented the 54th Annual Catalina Festival of Art along the bay front Crescent Avenue, September 21, 22, 23, 2012, the longest running cultural event on Catalina Island.

Thursday evening, the Catalina Art Association hosted the monthly Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce Mixer with more than 100 local merchants, friends, and artists in attendance. CAA President Drew Mauck presented Honorary Lifetime Memberships in recognition of many years of devotion and support to Jeanne Hill and Margaret Warner, Founding Members, as well as to former CAA President Michael Ponce, and loyal artists Ruth Mayer and Jan Vander Velde. There was live music, delicious food provided by Café Metropole. CAA Board Member Mary Schickling kept everyone entertained for the Art Auction, which surpassed our goal of $2000; proceeds go to the 2013 Student Art Scholarship Fund The evening was a great kick-off to the weekend.

On Saturday evening, Porschia Denning, owner of the Island Caravan Gallery hosted a special wine and cheese gathering in honor of local and visiting artists. The evening was filled with music and fun.

The three-day Festival of Art featured over 65 artists displaying their creative masterpieces, each shaded in white canopy tents, amid a sea of color and imaginative design in four media categories.

Highlights of the event were Live Painting and Demos by Porschia Denning and Will Richards, Art Classes by Ann Montgomery and music by Musician Shakeh. Festival visitors were also treated to entertainment by the US-Japan Live Forum exchange students who encourages kids to join in a traditional Japanese dance on the beach. The Kids Art Show was judged by Shaunna and Sarah Borenstein.

The CAA Board would like to thank our distinguished 2012 Judges for selecting our winners from amid so much talent. Mixed Media Judges, Sheldon Borenstein and Bill Perkins, Photography Judge Ernesto Rodriguez, Fine Crafts Judge Steve Hoefs, Jewelry Judge Mary Jane Maxwell. All of their help was very much appreciated.

The Children’s Exhibit winner were announced at Wrigley Stage on Saturday Every kid received a Youth Artist Award ribbon and winners received totes filled with art supplies, to encourage further art exploration and creativity. This year, the CAA gave away $1,000.00 in art supplies.

Winners of the 2012 Festival of Art are as follows:

Best of Show winner was Steve Thomas

Mixed Media:
1st- Steve Thomas
2nd- Min Li
3rd- Winnie Shepardson
Honorable Mention- Ed Arnold
Best Catalina Scene in Mixed Media- Lucinda Rudolph

Photography:
1st- David Morse
2nd- Juan Rodriguez
3rd- Richard Ponce
Honorable Mention- Frances Everett
Ed Dunn Best Catalina Scene in Photography- Larry Filz

Fine Crafts:
1st- David Sugich
2nd- Dyana Dulin
3rd- Barbara Leon
Honorable Mention- Xavier Gonzalez

Fine Jewelry:
1st- William Skiles
2nd -John Haupt
3rd- Leisa Johnson
Honorable Mention - Christy Thorenson

Kids show winners will be presented at the Avalon School in the coming weeks. There were more than 40 kids who submitted art.

CAA President Drew Mauck and the entire Board of Directors would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteer staff, headed up by Val Schafer, for all who gave generously of their time and effort.

The featured artwork for this year’s festival poster and marketing was an original watercolor painted by Andy Evansen, a prestigious artist member of this year’s Catalina Island Conservancy sponsored “The Wild Side.” Dinner, Art Show and Sale. The painting was purchased at the show by the CAA Delegation, and was used with permission of the artist.

The CAA Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their help with this year’s event: The volunteers, the artists, our friends and visitors, the merchants, the City of Avalon, the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the LA County Fire Department, the LA County Sherrifs Department, and our
2012 Sponsors: Café Metropole, Zeller Construction, Catalina Express, Catalina Island Vacation Rentals, Catalina Island Marketing, Buoys and Gulls, Avalon Bay Company, for their support and Helping Keep Art Alive in Avalon