The exhibit runs through February 22, but Saturday is the last chance for the public to vote for their favorite, just one unique aspect of the show that features oil/acrylic, watercolor, graphics/mixed media and photography. Over $4,000 in prizes in the four categories will be awarded during the reception.The Jury-of-Peers winner in each category – where artists vote for the works of others’ exhibited - will receive the Douglas Shively Award of Excellence, sponsored by Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Historic Limoneira Co. supports the winner of the Founders/Judges Awards. Santa Paula Chevrolet sponsors the Best of Show Award, determined by tallying the votes of the public, the artists and the judges.Public balloting closes at 5:30 p.m. the evening of the Awards Reception, where art lovers will have the opportunity to be entertained by acclaimed artist and noted harpist Xavier Montes. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to enjoy delicious hors d’ouevres prepared by Familia Diaz, Mupu Grill, El Pescador, Crystal Bakery, and Hozy’s Café.Blanchard Community Library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (hours will be extended for Saturday’s Santa Paula Art & Photography Show Awards Reception). The library is closed Friday and Sunday.
Prizes to be awarded Saturday at SP Art & Photography Show reception
February 17, 2006
Santa Paula News
Saturday’s the day that artists from throughout the state and beyond learn just who has taken top prizes in the 69th Annual Santa Paula Art & Photography Show.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSaturday’s the day that artists from throughout the state and beyond learn just who has taken top prizes in the 69th Annual Santa Paula Art & Photography Show. The February 18 Awards Reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th Street.More than 360 paintings and photographs are entered into the pre-juried show, the oldest such continuous competition in the state. And many of the entered artworks are on sale, said Gene Marzec of the Santa Paula Society of the Arts, which with the City of Santa Paula is the sponsor of the annual show.“You can get a Gene Marzec for $300, or buy paintings up to $18,000,” Marzec said with a smile. “The art, the subjects, the colors are just amazing… it’s one of the best shows you’ll ever see, and it’s free to the public. You’ll see everything from portraits to still life and everything in between.”Each year, noted artists’ clamor to be entered in the show, reflecting the high quality of the entries as well as the prominence of the longstanding show, according to Santa Paula Society of the Arts President Virginia Gunderson. Gunderson’s late uncle Douglas Shively, along with other notable area artists, was a founder of the show, which became the basis for the acclaimed Santa Paula Art Collection, made up of about 400 artworks owned by various local public entities.
