The Eastern Shore Art Center announced the award winners of the 40th Annual Outdoor Art Show at a reception, Friday evening, March 16th in Fairhope, Alabama. This year’s judges were Robert J. Bantens and Stephen Savage.

The judges awarded Maria Pfropper of Dryen, Michigan the $2000 Best of Show honor. “Her work embodies the meticulous craftsmanship of 19th century folk art with strong intrusions of surrealism”, said Bantens. Savage added, “Pfropper’s paintings are wonderful and whimsical. They are reminiscent of Mexican Magic Realism.”

Maria Cano of Lake Worth, Florida was awarded the $1,000 Charter Member honor, considered the 2nd Place Best of Show award.

Other honors went to:  First Place ($500)

Oil/Acrylic/Tempera: Bill Billingsley (Pensacola, FL); Sculpture: Shelley Smith (Perdido Beach, AL); Graphics/Drawing/Pastel: John Furches (Elkin, NC); Ceramics: Maria Spies (Silverhill, AL); Photography: Kathy Wolfe (Avondale Estates, GA); Fine Craft/Jewelry: Obayana Ajanaku (Decatur, GA); Watercolor: Carol McCrady (Madison, AL); Mixed Media: Athlone Clarke (Douglasville, GA)

Award of Merit: ($300)

Oil/Acrylic/Tempera: Erin Gregory (Columbus, GA); Sculpture: John Sim (Ocala, FL); Ceramics: Robin D. Rodgers (Tallahassee, FL); Photography: Greg Turco (Jefferson, GA); Fine Craft/Jewelry: Lynn Langhoff (Lafayette, GA); Watercolor: Dan Goad (St. Simon, GA); Mixed Media: Chris Cumbie (Fairhope, AL)

Eastern Shore Art Association’s Jury Award: Michael Fagan (Pensacola, FL); Eastern Shore Art Association’s Award to an Artist in the Chamber of Commerce Show: Charles Strain (Harrisburg, MO)

Bantens stated, “This year the level of work surpassed my expectations, which speaks loudly of the rising level of cultural sophistication in this area, as well as throughout the country.” Savage added, “The Outdoor Art Show had a great deal of strong work, making the judging more difficult than in years past. The result is a great show for the community.”

About the Judges

Robert J. Bantens, Ph.D. is a retired Art History professor from the University of South Alabama, graduated with a B.F.A. at the University of Illinois-Urbana, received his M.F.A. at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis and PhD. at Pennsylvania State University. All his degrees were in Art History.

Bantens has served on the Board of Directors of Joe Jefferson Players, Mobile Opera and Mobile Museum of Art. He is currently on the Board of Directors at the Eastern Shore Art Center and on Mobile Museum of Art’s Advisory Board. He has been the guest judge for the Pensacola Museum of Art Members’ Show, the Eastern Shore Art Center Members’ Juried Show, the Visual Arts Achievement Exhibit and Competition and for the past 15 years a judge for the First Congressional District Art Competition.

Stephen Savage is a professional and editorial photographer, artist and educator. He teaches at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. He has edited several books and was awarded the Visual Arts Fellowship in Photography from the Alabama State Council on the Arts in 2001.

The Eastern Shore Art Center is located in downtown Fairhope at 401 Oak Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Visit the website at www.esartcenter.com.■