The Friendship Art Club gathered an enthusiastic group of artists, craftsmen and student artists to open the gates to Fall.
Twenty-two booths and venders mingled with each other and a cheerful crowd. Food trucks provided Italian ice and homemade tortillas, while colorful artwork was displayed inside the Lytle Community Center Saturday morning.
The drawing will provide funding for our 2024 scholarship applicants. Students from area high schools and middle schools displayed an amazing collection of student work. Participating schools also competed in a student contest, judged by local artists. The awards included Best of Show and the People’s Choice award that was decided by the attendees and other participants. The Best of Show this year is an Award that is being shared by two remarkable artists. Madeline Hein from Devine High School and Gabrielle Hawkins from Natalia High School. In addition, Madeline’s watercolor was selected as People’s Choice Award.
Student winners are as follows. High School Division – Best of Show, Madeline Hein, Devine High School/Gabrielle Hawkins, Natalia High School. People’s Choice Award, Madeline Hein. Devine High School was also awarded First in over all division, Ian Rendon. First place, Adam Moreno and Jayden George. Second place, Ash Stocks. Natalia High School: first place, Collin Corker and Andrea Martinez. Second place, Jason Huron and George Hernandez. Somerset High School: Third place in overall division, Domonique Ramos. Second place in overall division, Nardia Tellez. First place, Evelyn Cunningham and Estrella Alvarez. Second place, Naomi Ayala.
In the Middle School division, Somerset Junior High School, Janelle Ramos won second place in the overall middle school division. First places went to Giona Coleman, Mary Jane Guerrero, Allison Montez and Nadia Perez. Loma Alta Middle School, Parina Patel won first place in the middle school division. First places were awarded to Shianne Issa, Ava Berry and Londyn Sanders.
In Medina Valley Middle School, Brooke Woodbury won third place in the over all middle school division. First place, Draven Salas received second place, Adrian Silva and Kinley Hunt. Natalia Junior High School placed first, Genesis Obregon; second place, Maisse Wolff. Third place, Noah Clark and Samewel Velasquez. Devine Middle School, Valeria Castro won first place.
A special thank you to the area art instructors who have made an outstanding show possible!
On the other hand, the Exhibitors Competition was judged by area artist and instructor, Karen McCauly. Ms. McCauly selected the best of Show and then judged each category. Best of Show was awarded to J.T. McMahon. Her entry was a colored pencil rendition of a pair of spurs. The People’s Choice Award is voted on by attendees and other exhibitors. This year’s recipient is local artist Joyce Bendele. The award-winning painting is a watercolor of a herd of long horned cattle.
The competition results are as follows. First place in the floral/still life category: first place, Roberta Andrews; second place, Sally Lewis; third place, Jane Brown. Portraits: first place, J.T. McMahon; second place, Laurel Aguilar. Scenic: First place, Laurel Aguilar; second place, J.T. McMahon. Experimental: First place, Roberta Andrews; Second place, Yolanda Alderson. Animals: First place, Sally Lewis; second place, Laurel Aquilar; third place, Melanie McMeans. Drawing: First place, Roberta Andrews.
Many thanks to the many people who have supported our scholarship program, and the many people who pulled together to make our art show so successful. Together we can encourage our young friends to be bigger and better than they ever dreamed.
Above are First place winners of the Friendship Art Club showcase held in Lytle each year. They are: Laurel Aguilar, Roberta Andrews, Sally Lewis, JT McMahon.
Joyce Bendele won the People’s Choice Award.