The Art Alliance of Idyllwild’s Eye of the Artist event on Saturday, March 7, was one of the most successful fundraiser ever staged, said event co-organizer Les Walker. “It was one of the most heavily attended such events I’ve seen,” said Walker, who managed the event with Kirsten Ingbretsen. “Kirsten and I were in charge of obtaining the art, assembling the gallery, hanging the event and organizing the silent auction.” Walker also served as emcee for the event.
Winners were:
Oils and Acrylics
1. Rob Padilla, “Rated G”
2. Fariad, “Brush and Brambles”
3. Karlis Dabois, “Solitude”
Water-Based Media
1. Mandy Johnson, “Mountain Home”
2. Neil Jenkins, “The Ridge”
3. Gary Glasheen, “Delicata”
Mixed Media
1. Eric Yandell, “Tree of Mystery”
2. Scott Finnell, “Mossy Creek”
3. Lisa Coffaro, “Old Growth Spirit Tree”
Pastels/Charcoal/Drawings/Print Making
1. Lynn Ryan, “Snow Day”
2. Brenda Underwood, “Tree Spirit”
3. Gwen Novak, “Snow Changes Everything”
Photography
1. R.A. Ross-Clunis, “Vincent Thomas”
2. Erin O’Neill, “Pirouette”
3. Susan White, “Skiers, Mt. Moran, Wy”
Honorable Mention Photography, Kathy Harmon-Luber, “Forest Whisperers”
Sculpture/Bas Relief/Found Objects
1. Cher Townsend, “Mountain Shrine”
2. David Graybill, “359 Degrees
3. Dore Capitani, “Untitled”
Honorable Mention, Jerry Baccaire, “Minaret”
The People’s Choice Award and Artists’ Choice Award went to Donna Elliot, “Mountain Majesty.”
“AAI board members were very pleased with this year’s Eye of the Artist event,” said AAI spokesperson Lesly Martin. “The turnout was somewhere between 150 and 175, about 20 percent more than previous years. We had more artists who donated a piece of art and more silent auction items donated by artists and local businesses. I can also tell you our gross profit was more than in previous years.” Martin said that what the board found most satisfying were the new faces, people from off the Hill, as well as retaining the local audience and supporters.
