The Union County Heritage Festival Art Show on October 2 had nearly 100 entries. Betty Bullen and her staff welcomed numerous artists and tourists to Union County.
Faye Hardin took the Best Heritage award for her composite abstract painting of Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins and Carl Smith. Faye used two photographs and an album cover to create the work.
Charles Painter received Best of Show for his graphite drawing entitled “Missing Pieces.” His drawing was so superbly executed that some viewers thought it was a photograph due to the fine detail.
Shirley Keaton received first place in two-dimensional art for her oil painting of “Marshall.” Sloan Becker captured second place with her painting of an eagle in flight and Laurie Jean Dillon was third with her painting of wild mustang horses.
In three-dimensional art, Tom Rayburn created a story board of the struggles of the Native Americans to hold onto their land and received first place for his creation. Steve Walker built a triple level table that was awarded second place. Richard Phillips carved a series of wooden characters including a golfer, a Santa Claus and a bear to garner third place.
Photography continues to get more popular each year. For future reference, judges tend to score framed photography higher than unframed.
Patrick Hurley's photograph entitled “Reflections,” which received first place, appeared almost three-dimensional. Taking second place was a black and white study of a small child, “Cade,” photographed by Misty Goin. Third place went to a photograph of an infant looking up to an older gentleman and labeled simply “My Grandpa” by Crystal Toppins.
Honorable Mentions went to Kelly Hunter, Ava Tiller, Marvin Reed, Lisa Chris, Sherry Railey, Tina Dyer, Brenda Stone, Gloria Holcomb, Dianne Becker, Ann Glen Sherrill, Bonnie Peters, Carol Pratt and Deborah Stroud.
Also Bullen's “Cutting Time,” the 2021 Festival Print that depicts tobacco ready for harvest, received the most sales ever on festival day. This print and past ones can be purchased at Janet's Hair and Nail Salon, the Winery at Seven Springs Farm, and Betty Bullen at BullenArt@aol.com.
The Snodderly House also hosted a display of art by Ruth Bell Mihaltian. Ruth was a spunky, hardworking, talented, and persistently independent artist and person who loved painting and the Heritage Festival Art Show.
Miss Ruth passed in February just months before her 100th birthday. Ruth was always demonstrating painting and greeting visitors to the festival art show. One of her paintings will be a permanent addition to the collection at the Union County Museum.
The Festival Committee thanks all who participated in the success of the Heritage Festival Art Show at the Historic Snodderly House and hopes everyone and more will return on Saturday, October 1, 2022, for the 17th Union County Heritage Festival.