Friendship Art Club Show and Sale succeeds despite rain

Jim Abernathy, Best of Show

The Annual Friendship Art Club Art Show and Sale displayed area art work on Saturday, September 29. Although a hearty rain soaked Lytle, the weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors.
The Student Art Show welcomed the addition of the Medina Valley Middle Schools as well as area regulars from Devine, Natalia, and Lytle. The Junior High School Excellence Award was won by Lytle Junior High School and the High School Excellence Award went to Natalia High School. These awards are presented based on the school’s overall participation and awards. An engraved plaque is presented to the winning school each year and can rotate, depending on the next year’s results.

Sylvia Martinez, Lytle High School, 1st place Dry Drawing Media.
Madalyn Aldridge, Medina Valley Middle School, 2nd place Dry Drawing Media.

Best of Show went to Chessa Hartley Mapes from Lytle Junior High School. The People’s Choice Award was won by Johnathyn Larabee from Natalia High School. Other awards went to: Overall Group I awards: 1st – Skylyn Kutzer, Natalia Junior High School, 2nd – Samantha Mujica, Lytle Junior High School, 3rd – Rose Simonson, Medina Valley Middle school; Drawing Media (Dry): 1st – Kaden Keller MVMS, Alice Zuniga Loma Alta Middle School, Angela Warden LAMS; 2nd – Jianna Zamora Devine Middle School, Madalyn Aldridge MVMS, Jordan Torres MVMS, Jedrek Rivera LAMS; 3rd – Jasmine Del Toro NJHS, Jaquline Issa LAMS, Daniel Rogue LAMS, Varia Alvarado DMS; Honorable Mention – Melanie Zelnick DMS, Regan Scott DMS, Nadya Rena Harrison LJHS, Nadya Rena Harrison LJHS, Alyssa Iglesias NJHS, Damien Turney NJHS; Painting/Assembly Medias (Wet): 1st – Trinity Black DMS, Alexandra Cariel MVMS; 2nd – Skylyn Kutzer NJHS, Klarissa Martinez LJHS; 3D Media: 1st – Serenity Ramon, LJHS.
Overall Group II awards: 1st – Johnathyn Larabee, NHS, 2nd – Hollie Morgan, NHS, 3rd – Marley Walker, LHS; Drawing Media (Dry): 1st – Sylvia Martinez LHS, 1st – Chris Suarez NHS, 2nd – Julia Guerro, LHS; Painting/Assembly Medias (Wet): 1st – Johnathyn Larabee NHS, Elissa Gallegos LHS, 2nd – Ariel Huron LHS, 2nd – Brianne Slaton NHS.

Dee Thompson, Best of Show

The adult competition featured acrylics, oils, water color, pastels, graphite and photography. Areas of judging are divided according to subject matter. Best of Show was awarded to Jim Abernathy and People’s Choice went to Dee Thompson. Additional winners include: Still Life/Floral: 1st – Bonnie Hagen, 2nd – Linda Bendele, 3rd – James Abernathy, Judge’s Merit – Blanche Johnson; Scenic: 1st – Dale Andrews, 2nd – Liz Bendele, 3rd – Linda Bendele, Judge’s Merit – Dale Andrews and Liz Bendele; Animal: 1st – Laurel Cyrene, 2nd – Roberta Andrews, 3rd – Laurel Cyrene, Judge’s Merit – Barbara Kelley; Portrait/People: 1st – Linda Keller, 2nd – Roberta Andrews, 3rd – Linda Keller, Judge’s Merit – Linda Bendele; Abstract/Experimental: 1st – Lindy Wheeler, 2nd – Laurel Cyrene, 3rd – Shirley Friesenhahn, Judge’s Merit – Dee Thompson; Photography: 1st – Blanche Johnson; Drawing: 1st – Bonnie Hagan, 2nd – Mary Killough, 3rd – Shirley Friesenhahn.
The extensive raffle raises funds for scholarships to area graduating seniors with an interest in art. Items ranged from wreathes to toys to an ice chest. Thank you to all who contributed.
The Friendship Art Club meets every Tuesday morning for painting and fellowship at the Lytle Church of Christ.
Business meetings are the second Tuesday of each month. The meeting is followed by a pot luck luncheon.