We are pleased to announce the winning entries for the 34th AFTH Show
257 pieces of art were entered in the adult art show with awards announced on Saturday, February 3rd during the opening reception. Awards were announced for 2D and 3D entries, in addition to photography awards.
In 2D:
1st Place: Artichokes by Brook Penick
2nd Place: Union Point Sunset by Chris Wagner
3rd Place: Raven and the Moon by Liz Morton
HM: Squall by Kristen Springle
HM: Vintage Women Rock by Naida Koraly
HM: Heron at Night by Kelsie Hornby
Photography:
1st Place: Comfort Cup by Karen Mault
2nd Place: Taos Doorway by David Jaworski
3rd Place: The Butterfly Effect by Joshua Himmelstein
HM: Sunset Over Newport by Reagan Baker
3D:
1st Place: Failed Deceptive Information by George Waiter Cole
2nd Place: The Carpenter by Philip Steranko
3rd Place: A Fish Called "Ruffles" by Gail Williams
HM: Blue Bird of Happiness by Lizzy Lawrence
And the People's Choice Awards
This year there were TWO prizes given for the People's Choice.
Congratulations to Jennifer Merlo for her creation Isabella.
And congratulations to Kristen Springle for her entry Squall
The Arts Council thanks our Judges, Jonathan Burger and Lee Hood, for their time and careful considerations leading to the above awardee selections.
Jonathan Burger is an arts administrator and artist based out of New Bern, NC. He has served as the Executive Director of the Craven Arts Council & Gallery since 2020, where he was previously the Gallery and Marketing Director, and has worked a variety of roles in the arts sector since 2011. His artistic practice focuses on large scale public art, including welded sculpture, painted murals, concrete, wood, and other mediums.
Commissions include the Underwater Museum of Art Florida, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Greenville, NC), and the Arts Council of Carteret (Morehead City, NC). Much of his studio work focuses on the human form, metaphysics, and ontology. He is also an instructor at Shop Class New Bern, a community makerspace, where he teaches welding, woodworking, and private lessons.
Lee Hood recalls his passion for the arts starting at the tender age of four. Art ran heavy in his family lineage, so he believed it was predestined to follow in the direction of pursing something art related, accepting his official start painting a mural for his high school along with redesigning the school’s logo.
Joining the military at 18, Hood took college courses and studied “plein air” painting during his free time. While serving in the U.S. Army, he discovered each city, state, and country -- one canvas at a time. When deployed to Haiti, both Hood and his Army colleague would “plein air” paint during the evenings to connect with the surroundings, people, and culture.
Following 20 years in the military, Hood returned to North Carolina, opening his own art studio, Large Brush Strokes, located downtown, New Bern. He participates in local art shows such as “Juneteenth” and paints murals throughout the city. He also assists nonprofit organizations working with children who are interested in art.