The Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony for the STLWS 27th Annual Membership Awards Exhibition – Big Splash 2024 was held on Thursday, September 12th, at Norton’s Fine Art & Framing. Our juror, Kathleen Giles, attended the event and shared the things she appreciated in each of the paintings she selected for awards. This made the awards ceremony even more special. There was a nice turnout for the event and everyone was very excited to see the exhibition and find out who won awards.
Here is a list of the Award Winners and their prizes, generously donated by our corporate sponsors:
First Place, Judge’s Choice Award
Nest and Vines by Steve Morris
$562 of Gifts Donated by:
St. Louis Art Supply $300 Gift Certificate;
Dixon Ticonderoga 8” x 8” HP 140# Block,
Maimeriblu Set of Five 12 ml Paint Tubes,
Princeton Set of Velvet Touch Brushes, Value $162;
Blick; $100 Gift Card
Second Place, Award of Excellence
In the Lavendar Haze by Nancy Avdoian
$422 of Gifts Donated by:
Armadillo Art & Craft: Old Holland Watercolor Set,
The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour Paper 9”x12” Block,
The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour Paper Trial Pack, Value of $132;
Jack Richeson & Co. Inc.: Gray Matters Paint Brush Set and Brush Case, Value of $192;
St. Louis Art Supply: $100 Gift Certificate
Third Place, Award of Achievement
Cool Breeze by Janine Helton
$387 of Gifts Donated by:
Holbein: Paint Set and Certificate, Value of $179;
Saint Louis Art Museum: Bag, Exhibit Catalog, and Membership, Value of $190
1st Award of Recognition
Double Vision by Lee Walter
$375 of Gifts Donated by:
M Graham & Co: Certificate for 12 Color Paint Set, Value of $275;
St. Louis Art Supply: $100 Gift Certificate
2nd Award of Recognition
Persistence by Maggie McCarthy
$342 of Gifts Donated by:
Jack Richeson & Co. Inc.: Gray Matters Paint Brush Set and Brush Case, Value of $192;
Silver Brush Limited: $100 Gift Certificate and Set of Belle Aqua $50 Brushes, Value of $150
3rd Award of Recognition
Snowscape by Chandan Mahanta
$280 of Gifts Donated by:
Golden Artist Colors: 12- Eleven Oz. Tubes of QoR Watercolor Paints, Value of $180;
Blick: $100 Gift Certificate
4th Award of Recognition
Fall in Bloom by Karen Romani
$250 of Gifts Donated by:
Silver Brush Limited: Gift Certificate and a Set of Belle Aqua Watercolor Brushes,
Value of $150;
St. Louis Art Supply: $100 Gift Certificate
5th Award of Recognition
Golden by Annette McGarrahan
$180 Gifts Donated by:
Holbein: Paint Set and Certificate, Value of $180
6th Award of Recognition
Coastline by Terry Lay
$100 Gift Donated by:
Silver Brush Limited: $100 Gift Certificate
1st Honorable Mention
Into Muir Woods by Mary Riney
$67 Gifts Donated by:
Grafica: $50 Gift Certificate;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value of $17
2nd Honorable Mention
Morning Latte by Diane Carder
$53 Gifts Donated by:
Legion We Are Paper: Stonehenge Aqua 140# 9” x 12” Block, Value of $36;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value of $17
3rd Honorable Mention
Reflections & Transparency of Klondike by Kathy Morrison
$48 Gifts Donated by:
Legion We Are Paper: Stonehenge Aqua 140# 9” x 12” Pad, Value of $31;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value of $17
4th Honorable Mention
Late for Work! by Kitty Harrison
$48 Gifts Donated by:
Legion We Are Paper: Stonehenge Aqua 140# 9” x 12” Pad, Value of $31;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value of $17
5th Honorable Mention
High Aspirations by Julie Bantle
$43 Gifts Donated by:
Legion We Are Paper: Yupo 74# 9” x 12” Pad, Value of $26;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value $17
People’s Choice Award
To be determined at the close of the show
by a tally of online votes.
$142 Gifts Donated by:
Laumeier Sculpture Park: 4 Tickets to Laumeier After Dark,
4 Tickets to Laumeier Art Fair, and 10% Discount on Classes, Value of $125;
Silver Brush Limited: Canvas Traveling Brush Holder, Value of $17
And some photos from the opening:
And the Awards Presentation:
If you haven’t seen the exhibition, please visit the gallery and bring your friends and family. It is a beautiful display of our members’ artwork that we are very proud of.