Fishers Arts Council announces Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists winners

Fishers Municipal Center welcomed the Fishers Arts Council (FAC) into its bright, open gallery space for the seventh annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists awards ceremony on Friday evening, Sept. 11.

As in the previous six years, Jiffy Lube of Indiana was the art competition’s title sponsor. Noblesville Creates returned as the People’s Choice award sponsor, with their Executive Director, Ailithir McGill presenting the award. Sixty-four artists were selected for this year’s exhibit by the juror, Carol Strock Wasson of Union City, Ind.

The “Best in Show” winner was Fishers resident Abigail Staffelbach for her oil painting Through Clouds, Blue. She received an award of $1,000, a solo exhibit for 2027, and the following comment from the Strock Wasson:

Abigail Staffelbach of Fishers won Best in Show for her work, Through Clouds, Blue. (Art provided)

“My first impression was of the overall impact of the piece. Its red-yellow-blue color harmony, with blue as the dominant color, brings the entire composition together. The sensitive edge work and convincing atmospheric depth demonstrate the artist’s command of her medium and clarity of intent. This is a memorable painting that will remain with me for many days to come.”

Best Landscape, sponsored by Wasson Nursery, was awarded to Neal Snapp of Fishers for The Cool Edge of Sunset. His artwork quickly sold before the evening was over. Wesley Dallas Merritt, formerly of Sheridan, won Best Portrait/Figurative, sponsored by Five Star Bath Solutions, for his watercolor Treasures in the Fog. Another watercolor artist, Rich Ernsting received Best Floral/Other, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, for his transparent watercolor painting, Tranquility. Sunset on Kona, painted by Valerie Bielski of Noblesville, won Best Abstract, sponsored by Uptown Cafe. Bielski’s art was sold the day the exhibit opened. Best 3D, sponsored by Noblesville Creates, was Susan Hirsch of Fishers for her stoneware piece, Have I Done Enough? Each of these artists received $600. Two merit awards at $250 each were also presented: Craig Mullins of Indianapolis for Fly Adrift Along the Aspens and Brenda Whicker, formerly of Fishers, for Blushing Mums.

In partnership between FAC and the Fishers Art Center, located on the east side of the Fishers Municipal Center, the 3D art and more 2D artworks were on display in the Art Center galleries. The Fishers Art Center is operated in partnership between the City of Fishers and Indy Art Center, located in Broad Ripple.

“It’s a truly beautiful display opportunity for these artists and we’re so thankful for Indy Art Center Exhibition Manager, Alex Moore, and his expertise during the installation in their gallery spaces,” FAC Executive Director Les Reinhardt said.

There was also stiff competition for the Noblesville Creates People’s Choice award, with patrons voting on Facebook and in-person in the gallery. The winner, for the second year in a row, was Fishers resident Asma Siddiqui with her textured acrylic and mixed media art, Memory of a Rising Wave. It received the most overall votes, both online and in-person and a $250 cash prize. Almost all of these award-winning paintings are for sale, as are most of the other equally amazing works in the gallery through Oct. 2. FAC hopes that many Hamilton County residents, and others, will visit the Art Gallery at City Hall in the Fishers Municipal Center and experience the art and enjoy the work of many talented people in our area.

Guests can visit the gallery in person at 1 Municipal Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays during the Fishers Farmers’ Market from 9 a.m. to noon. You can also see the juried exhibit in their online gallery at Facebook.com/FishersArt.

About Fishers Arts Council
Fishers Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to support, advocate, and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities that educate and/or enhance the lives of those who live, work, and visit Fishers. Visit the gallery space inside Fishers Municipal Center at 1 Municipal Drive. FAC also maintains the Build BW Gallery at 11 Municipal Drive and the Ball State Gallery-Fishers at 8626 E. 116^th St., Suite 300. Check out FAC online at FishersArtsCouncil.org or call or text (317) 537-1670 for more information.