And the winners are…
Artists, board of directors, sponsors, and volunteers gathered at the Backyard Centre Stage Friday evening as the Festival kicked off its annual Friday Night Applause awards ceremony, presentations, and after party/dinner. There can be only one Best in Show winner each year. And at Magic City Art Connection (MCAC), the decision is always a difficult and laborious one. Judging the work of 200 artists, then narrowing the field down to only 26 winners in a limited amount of time certainly takes expertise, instincts, exposure, understanding, knowledge, passion, and lots of energy. MCAC’s 2015 Juror and Featured Poster Artist, Ramiro Gomez of Los Angeles, CA, accomplished it all with professionalsim, ease, and without breaking a sweat. Special thanks to Ramiro and the Charlie James Gallery for joining us in Birmingham for the 32nd annual Magic City Art Connection. Now, for the awards. Drum roll please! THE 2015 JURIED WINNERS ARE…
City of Birmingham Best in Show Award
Samuel Yao, FIBER, Ann Arbor, MI
Kinetic Communications Signature Award
Joseph Frye, CLAY, Birmingham, AL
BBVA Compass Signature Award
Katherine Linn, PRINTMAKING, Lithonia, GA
Lincoln Motor Company Signature Award
Chiharu Roach, PAINTING, Birmingham, AL
HealthSouth Corporation Award of Distinction
Christine Green, METAL, Birmingham, AL
Alabama Power Award of Distinction
Chad Moore, PHOTOGRAPHY, Birmingham, AL
BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama Award of Distinction
Eric Forsyth, PHOTOGRAPHY, Birmingham, AL
Joe Piper, Inc. Award of Distinction
Jayne Morgan, PAINTING, Birmingham, AL
Steven A. Reider Emerging Artist Award
Jared Ragland, PHOTOGRAPHY, Birmingham, AL
Jennifer Harwell Commemorative Gift Award of Merit
Gerda Carmichael, STAINED GLASS, Birmingham, AL
Miller Communications Award of Merit
Walt Stricklin, PHOTOGRAPHY, Birmingham, AL
Bell Media Award of Merit
Amy Lansburg, 2D MIXED MEDIA, Atlanta, GA
The Visitors Channel Award of Merit
T.R. Reed, SCULPTURE, Chattanooga, TN
BJCC & Westin Hotel Award of Merit
Frank Saggus, WOOD, Watkinsville, GA
al.com | The Birmingham News | Bham Magazine Award of Merit
Roberta Elliot, METAL, Cobden, IL
Omni Studio Award of Merit
Steven Smith, GLASS, Cropwell, AL
Bancography Award of Merit
Athlone Clarke, 2D MIXED MEDIA, Douglasville, GA
Jefferson County Award of Merit
Chris Beck, METAL, Dalton, GA
Royal Cup Coffee Award of Merit
Erin Penherski, 2D MIXED MEDIA, Birmingham, AL
B-Metro Award of Merit
Sarah Bean, 2D MIXED MEDIA, Radford, VA
Birmingham Mountain Radio Award of Merit
Christy Turnipseed, JEWELRY, Birmingham, AL
Hoover’s Magazine | Shelby Living Award of Merit
Kathleen Hunt, GLASS, Conway, SC
Over The Mountain Journal Award of Merit
Anita Edwards, METAL, Stone Mountain, GA
Weld for Birmingham Award of Merit
Mariella Owens, CLAY, Mapleton, GA
Publix Super Markets Charities |WBHM | Yarbrough Food Service Charities High School Sculpture Awards
First Place
Alabama School of Fine Arts
Second Place
Woodlawn High School
Third Place
The Altamont School
Photos courtesy of Michael Anderson, Birmingham, AL.