2006 Hiawassee Festival of Arts draws thousands
Artist award winners announced

Hiawassee's own Deb Collins (Deb Collins Gallery) was busy painting and talking to admiring passersby.

Over 3,500 attendees were drawn to the Hiawassee Festival of Arts, held August 26 27 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Festival goers enjoyed a combination of fine arts and crafts, live jazz performances, children's educational activities and some great food.

"Many were impressed with the quality of the work and it was clear the artist's were impressed with the turnout" commented, Mary Taylor, Festival Chair. "One artist, Alejandro Amezcua, who does a dozen or more shows a year, said this was the best show he's had in five years. We are so pleased and particularly want to thank all the many volunteers without whom we simply couldn't do it." Mary continued, "The Ridges Resort and Club donated all the artist hospitality and we heard rave reviews particularly on the pastries and cookies."

Festival winners were:

Best of Show Troy Crisswell Oil $1,000

1st Place, Fine Art Aaron Hequembourg Mixed Media $500

2nd Place, Fine Art J o e LotzPencil Drawing $250

"3 Chix Sophistocated Knits" posing with customers, showing off their unique knited scarves.

1st Place, Fine Craft Lynda Metcalf Jewelry $500

2nd Place, Fine Craft David Goldhagen Glass $250

Merit Award Zhiyong Ye Watercolor $100

Merit Award Maurice Cook Acrylic $100

Merit Award Mary Grace Perkins Sculpture $100

Merit Award Bill Sargent Photography $100

Best Display Will and Kay Lake Wood $100

Purchase Prize Michael Bake (sculpture) $500

Purchase Prize Robert and Dolores Wells (metal) $500

Purchase Prize Andre Nobrega Amorim (Oils) $500

Purchase Prize Glenn Mace (Wood) $300

"We were pleased to have such a diverse and talented group of artists participating in this show," stated Pat Neubert, President of the Mountain Arts Association, "Through the Hiawassee Festival of Arts, MAA will continue to provide scholarships and art education to the community for years to come.

Pat added, "We are so grateful for the support of United Community Banks, Inc. including Bankers Hour and Towns and Hayesville branches, MountainTopGA and Blue Ridge Highlander.com along with Ridges Resort and Club, Exit Realty Mountain Properties and the local businesses Hiawassee Hardware, Bank of Hiawassee, First Citizen's Bank of Hayesville, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Lawrence S. Sorgen, Attorney at Law, Brasstown Valley Resort and Fun World and the Shoppes at Fieldstone."

One of the features of the festival was the Children's Interactive Pavilion, overseen by watercolor artist and instructor Kathy Cochran Chastain, owner of Laurel Mountain Studio in Brasstown, N.C. Cheap Joe's Art Stuff donated some materials. In addition, MAA sponsors the "Artists of Tomorrow" contest. Art students in 1st through 12th grades from Towns, Clay and Union Counties were invited to submit work for scholarships, cash awards and event display. Award recipients included:

Best in Show

Ken Datas Hayesville High School $150.00 Elementary School

1st Place Chase Williams Towns County Elem.School $75.00

2nd Place Called Gray Union County Elem. School $50.00

3rd Place Mia Manto Towns County Elem. School $25.00

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1st Place Haley Woodard Hayesville $100.00

2nd Place-Daniel Mull Hayesville $75.00

3rd Place - Jesse Somervell Hayesville $50.00

HIGH SCHOOL

1st Place Sheena Matheson Towns County $125.00

2nd Place Tony Rangel Hayesville $100.00

3rd Place Jeffery Hancock Union county $75.00

The Mountain Arts Association's mission is to create and support art related exhibitions, educational events and art appreciation in the tri-state mountain area. The organization also provides scholarships to students to encourage continuing education in the arts. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Mountain Arts Association, visit www.hiawasseefestivalofarts.or g, call (706) 896-9739, or write to P.O. Box 754 Hiawassee, GA 30546.