2012 Awards Presented in Dr. and Mrs. Guelcher Art Show

A panel of judges from the community selected artwork for monetary awards in three categories. The following winners were announced during special artist’s receptions:

Adult Professional Artist

“Best of Show Award” - Diane Wenzel Pierce for her mixed media piece, “My Dream with Alice.” Honorable Mention Awards - Janet Schilling for her work in colored pencil, “Three of a Kind,” and to three-time award winner Justin Elliott Poole for his oil painting, “Sojourn.”

Amateur Adult Artist

“Best of Show Award” - Nick A. Clement for his oil painting, “Seeing the World Thru Bubbles.” Honorable Mention Awards - Susan Knight for her watercolor, “A Rose is a Rose,” and to Sue Pence for her work, “Mosaic Tray.”

Youth Artist

“Best of Show Award” - Caitlin Gleason, a student at Collegiate Academy, for her acrylic, “Self Portrait, Veiled.”

Honorable Mention Awards - Aurora Fuchs, a student at Harding Elementary, for her mixed media sculpture, “Crowned Crane;” Rebecca Briggs, a student at Cambridge Springs High School, for “Untitled,” a drawing in colored pencil; and Noah Waldron, a student in the Elizabeth Lee Black School, for his acrylic, “The Deep.”

This marked the fifth year for the show, which is scheduled in commemoration of Autism Awareness Month. It was the first year that the show was sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Guelcher, whose commitment reflects their dedication to fostering the arts and their belief that the arts can enrich the lives of everyone. “Art really does matter; it becomes a part of your life,” said Mrs. Guelcher.

The Guelchers want to ensure that the Art Show continues to be available for individuals with disabilities, as well as for all artists in the community.

“We have realized that this is an event where we can really see the results of the efforts of all of the artists, and we wanted an opportunity to be a part of it,” said Mrs. Guelcher. The event also provides another chance to “give back” to the community where the Erie natives have continued to make their home.

“You come to realize that having a lot of material things isn’t what’s important,” said Mrs. Guelcher. “But everyone should ‘give back’ for all that they have been given, and this is one of our ways to do that.”

Other changes for this year’s exhibit included the addition of an evening Wine & Cheese Reception open to the community and Saturday gallery hours. While the reception for adult artists was held the evening before the Show’s opening, the award ceremony and reception for youth artists was held on Sunday.

All artists and visitors invited to return for the 6th annual show and sale in April 2013.