The annual Whitewater Valley Art Competition awards reception was held October 12 at Indiana University East. The competition was originated by Tom Thomas in 1978. The WVAC has a history of “open judging,” allowing the public to be present when the exhibit entries are accepted or declined for the exhibit.

The exhibit is presented by First Bank Richmond.

There were 169 entered works by 55 artists for this year’s competition. Three jurors selected 50 works by 34 artists for the exhibit and determined to be the award winners. This year’s jurors were Peg Faimon, founding dean at the School of Art, Architecture, and Design, IU Bloomington; Betsy Stirratt, founding director of the Grunwald Gallery of Art at IU Bloomington; and Maxim Weintraub, gallery director, Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI.

The exhibit will be on display in The Tom Thomas Gallery and Meijer Artway, located in Whitewater Hall, now through December 7.

Top Awards for the 2018 Whitewater Valley Art Competition Exhibit
First Place/Best of Show

• Jennifer Murray, Westerville, Ohio, “Cooking Clips,” acrylic on canvas

Second Place

• Clinton Wood, Cincinnati, Ohio, “Irregular Lot,” oil on wood panel

Third Place

• Megan Caldwell Chandler, Carmel, Indiana, “These Dreams Change,” Turkish map book, acrylic and collage

Honorable Mention

• Elena Dahl, Yellow Springs, Ohio,”Vestals / Shut That Whole Thing Down / After Todd Akin,” silver gelatin print and archival inkjet prints

• John Humphries, Cincinnati, Ohio, “Ananzi and the Elephant,” watercolor, wood, thread

• Mia Kaplan, Indianapolis, Indiana, “Fractured Vision,” steel wire

• Eric Lubrick, Indianapolis, Indiana, “Hey Twin Boy Birthday Cake,” photograph