AVA to make its ‘historical’ debut

     (NWPR-IN)  –  This past November, nomination forms were sent to university art departments, public school systems, galleries, including other art organizations and art-related businesses. The nominations were compiled into a ballot listing four artists in each of 11 art genres: Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Art, Jewelry/Metal, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Surface Design/Fabric, Outstanding University Art Student and Outstanding Visual Arts Educator.

      On Thursday, February 17 from 7:00-10:00 pm at the Hall Community Arts Center at 437 East Berry Street in Fort Wayne, Artlink will present its first-ever Artlink Visual Art Awards and one artist from each of genres will receive an award created by ceramist George Morrison and a $100 gift certificate donated by United Art and Education.

     Official Listing of Nominees are:  Ceramics: Kristy Jo Beber, Richard Tuck, Steve Vachon and Scott Ziegler; Drawing: David Birkey, Claire Ewart, Justin Johnson and Jeremy McFarren; Graphic Art: Drew Korah, Alan Nauts, Jacob Sauer and Nate Utesch; Jewelry/metal work: Candie Cooper, Lydia Gerbig-Fast, Greg and BJ Jordan and Janet Webb; Painting: Justin Henry Miller, Ales Pancner, Maurie Papier and Eric Tarr; Photography: Tim Brumbeloe, Jeff Crane, Steve Perfect and Cara Lee Wade; Printmaking: Christopher Ganz, Dennis Hettler, Shirley Hiner and Tom Keesee; Sculpture: Paul Siefert and Lisa Vetter, Sayaka Ganz, Dana Goodman and Mary Klopfer; Surface/Fabric Design: Joel Fremion, Dawn Geradot, Becka Strachon and Clare Christian Tarr; University Art Student: Patrick Gainer, Holly Hardin-Clabaugh, Justine Hettler and Kevin Leigh-Manuell; and Visual Arts Educator: Marcy Aldridge-Adams, Bishop Dwenger High School, Nicole Croy, Carroll High school and Christina Baloski of Perry Hill Elementary.

     For tickets to this gala event, which includes hors d’oeuvres from Club Soda, a cash bar and music by the Possum Trot Orchestra, along with Rich Lee of Little Brother Radio as the emcee, call Artlink at 260.424.7195. The cost is only $20 for Artlink members and $25 for the general public. All nominated artists receive two free tickets to this new program that recognizes those in the visual arts.

     For more information, see www.artlinkfw.com.