Carmel International Arts Festival wraps up another successful event with ribbons

Thousands of visitors enjoyed the Carmel International Arts Festival over the weekend. The Festival was more than just a place to purchase art, listen to music and enjoy great food and beverages – it was a serious contest among artists.

(From left) Toryn White, Dawn Fraley, Taylor Mazer (Best of Show) and Joan Cimino. (Photo provided)

Elise Howell served as juror of the Artist work at the festival this year. Howell is a studio painter, instructor, and is the Studio Chair for drawing, painting and textiles at the Indianapolis Art Center. She earned an MFA in Painting from Virginia Commonwealth University; a BS in Art Education and a BFA in Painting from Ball State University.

Jheny Noeto was the judge for the Indiana Artisan student show artists. Noeto works as the Youth and Teen Program Manager at the Indianapolis Art Center.

Below are the winners:

  • The Best of Show: Taylor Mazer, 2D
  • 1st Place: Kyle Spears, Photography
  • 2nd Place: Kristin Perkins, Jewelry
  • 3rd Place: Tanya Leslie, Ceramics
  • Mayor’s Award: Kwang Cha Brown, 2D

Best in Media

  • Joel Fremion, 2D
  • Skeeter Aschinger, 3D
  • Scott Hartley, Painting
  • Thomas Bothe, Ceramics
  • William Ortman, Glass
  • Deborah Barnes, Jewelry
  • John Weller, Photography
  • Neil Kemarly, Wood
  • Ann McCann, Fiber

Honorable Mention

  • Larry Spears, Ceramics
  • Robin Kittleson, Glass
  • Tim Peters, Ceramics
  • Anne Wooster, 2D
  • Bob Reiberg, Ceramics
  • George Ceffalio, Painting
  • Amy Ferguson, 2D
  • Glenn Woods, Ceramics
  • Gabriel Lehman, Painting

Student Award Winners

The Rosemary Waters Excellence in the Arts Scholarship ($2,500) was won by Madison Del Valle.

The Doreen Squire Ficara Carmel Arts Council Award ($1,000) was won by Ali Strzynski.

4 Best of Show Scholarships

$1,500 per scholarship, two per high school

  • Carmel High School: Ellie Shen and Chloe Sun
  • University High School: Katherine Zhong and Austin Clark

2 Innovation in the Arts Scholarships

$1,500 per scholarship, one per high school

  • Carmel High School: Lindsey Thole
  • University High School: Sophia Fisher

Save the date

Mark your calendars for Sept. 26-27, 2020 for the next Carmel International Arts Festival.