The Virgin Valley Arts Association held its annual Poetry and Art contest with a reception for winners on April 23rd. St. George poets won 9 of the 12 awards. The judging is based on the artwork and the poem that provided inspiration to the artist. Both artist and poet win cash awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. I won $50 for 1st place and $100 for Best of Show. This year was my year to win BIG-1st place and Best of Show. I took photos of our Dixie poets' poems whose poems were displayed. Gary Christian won Sponsors Award and Don Graves won People's Choice Award. So, we did well as Dixie poets! Honorable Mentions were won by: Marie Tollstrup, Marilyn Ball and Kate Kirkham.
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| Reception and awards ceremony in Mesquite, Nevada |
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| Two of the artists that chose my poems as inspiration for their artwork. |
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| Best of Show poem Returning and water color by Jan Hansen |
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| My poem Ever Changing about sand dunes and artist Vanessa Temple |
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The Nest about hummingbirds by Lin Floyd.
artist-Karlynn Jones |
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Poem Gated by Kate Kirkham,
artist-Donna Lanier |
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Chapel Overture by Marie Tollstrup.
artist-Judith Lanier? |
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| Poem Discovery by Kate Kirkham, artist-Barb Hall |
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Contrasts in Mojave Country by Marilyn Ball,
watercolor by James Lanier |
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Mom's Homestead Lilacs by Marilyn Ball, painting
by Geraldine Zerate |
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Escalante Canyon at Lake Powell by Marilyn Ball
Watercolor by Karlynn Jones |
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| 3-D layered paper painting that was striking! |
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Angel's Landing by Gary Christian
Watercolor by Janice Thorbough |
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| For Jerry by Marilyn Ball |
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| Silent Themes by Gary Christian, photo by Marley Warren |
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1st place dry media drawing by Shauna Lee
for my poem flashback |
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People's Choice Award went to Bus Groves for his poem Fire,
artist-Susan Holiday |
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Honorable Mention to Marie Tollsturp for Iris Flames.
Watercolor artist-Phoebe Wrighter |
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| Gary Christian's poem won Sponsor's Award for Autumn Winds! |