Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Announces Winners of the “Exposures Photography Competition”

The Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, is pleased to announce the winners of the “Exposures Photography Competition”, as judged by Ben Erlandson, Ph.D.

For over 30 years, the Alleghany County NC resident has shot photography and created multimedia works. His award-winning photography has been featured in solo and juried shows, and published in various journals. His motion-based, animated films also have been featured and awarded at several film festivals. In 2020, one of Ben’s photos was selected as the inaugural Conservation Award winner by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Erlandson holds degrees from UNCA, Emerson College, and Arizona State University.

Best of Show ($400) – “Yellow Fork Falls in Spring” by Mike Koenig, Caldwell County

Second Place ($200) – “Black Lives Matter” by Mitzi Gellman, Catawba County

Third Place ($100) – “Calla Passion” by Ron Schwartz, Caldwell County

Judge’s Merit Awards ($25 each) –
“Dalton” by Thomas Thielemann, Caldwell County
“Smith Rock’s Gleam” by Jordan K. Ellis, Catawba County
“The Treasure of Wilson’s Creek” by Lonnie Webster, Watauga County

Due to the continuing effects of COVID-19, no opening reception will be held. The Caldwell Arts Council is located at 601 College Ave SW in Lenoir, NC, and is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

For further information call the Council at 828/754-2486 or visit (https://www.caldwellarts.com).

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Announced the Results to Its “45th Annual Visual Artists Competition”

Artists from seven counties were invited to participate in the Caldwell Arts Council’s “45th Annual Visual Artists Competition”, on display through December 23, 2021, in Lenoir, NC. Judge Rogelio Calvo selected the following works for awards:

$400 Best of Show: “The Tentacles of Time” – handcut collage by Tyler Stephens, Caldwell County

$200 Second Place: “L’hiver” – fiber/wool art by Suzanna McGee, Catawba County

$100 Third Place: “In the Front of Matisse” – oil on canvas by Irina Khudyakov, Catawba County

Judge’s Merit Awards receiving a $25 Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Gift Card:
“Jazz” – mixed media sculpture by Gena Hawkins, Catawba County
“Tower #11 (By the Sea)” – mixed media sculpture by Anthony Priolo, Catawba County
“Spaghetti Western” – oil on board by G. David Burnell, Catawba County
“Bridge to Forever” – ink & pencil drawing by Bill Karr, Caldwell County

The competition featured a total of $725 in cash prizes made possible through the generous support of the Brush & Palette Club, Caron Baker and Jim Wike, and Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.

The Caldwell Arts Council is located at 601 College Ave SW in Lenoir, NC, and is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

For further information call the Council at 828/754-2486.

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Calls for Entries for “2022 EXPOSURES Photography Competition” – Deadline Dec. 9, 2021

The Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, announces its “2022 EXPOSURES Photography Competition”. This year’s juried show is open to photographers living in Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga and Wilkes counties. Please share this call to other photographers you know.

The deadline for entries is December 9th, with accepted works delivered to the Caldwell Arts Council between 9am and 5pm from December 15 to December 17, 2021. We are starting early to work around holiday schedules, especially because our office will be closed the week between Christmas & New Year’s Day. The prospectus is on our website at this link at (https://www.caldwellarts.com).

Due to the continued effects of COVID-19, no opening reception will be held. Contact our office if you have any questions by calling 828/754-2486.

The Caldwell Arts Council is located at 601 College Avenue SW, Lenoir NC, and is open to the public Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Calls for Entries for “45th Annual Visual Artists Competition” – Deadline November 18, 2021

Artists in Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Watauga and Wilkes counties are invited to enter the “45th Annual Visual Artists Competition”, a program of the Caldwell Arts Council. The competition will feature juror Lise Swennson and judge Rogelio Calvo. A total of $700 in cash prizes will be awarded, with a $400 Best of Show, $200 Second Place, $100 Third Place, and three Judge’s Merit Awards. Competition awards are made possible through the generous support of the Brush & Palette Club, Caron Baker and Jim Wike, and Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.

Due to the continued effects of COVID-19, an opening reception will not be held. Selected works will be displayed in the Caldwell Arts Council galleries December 3-23, 2021.

The detailed prospectus is available on the Caldwell Arts Council’s website (www.caldwellarts.com), and the deadline for entry is midnight, November 18, 2021.

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, has Announced the Winners of the 35th Annual Sculpture Celebration

The Caldwell Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 35th Annual Sculpture Celebration as judged by Elizabeth Brim of Penland, NC. Held on September 11, 2021 at the Broyhill Walking Park in Lenoir, NC, sculptors from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico competed for a total of $11,000 in cash prizes. This event was funded by generous sponsors and by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Best In Show ($3000): George Cadell of Bakersville, NC – “After the Storm”

First Place ($2000): Mary-Ann Prack of Jefferson, NC – “The Other Side of Me”

Second Place ($1500): Joe Bigley of Lenoir, NC – “Meridian Crease”

Third Place ($1000): Joel Urruty of Hickory, NC – “Breach”

Judge’s Merit Award (five awards @ $500 ea.):

Jeff Albert of High Point, NC – “Beauty”
Chris Wilson of Marietta, GA – “Carolina Parakeet”
Suzette Bradshaw of Granite Falls, NC – “Spirits of the Water”
Beau Lyday of Valdese, NC – “Celtic Travels”
Jeff Menzer of Asheville, NC – “Sling-Wing-Ding”

Honorable Mention Award (five awards @ $100 ea.):

Anna Berry of Morganton, NC – “Heart”
Nathan Leslie of Climax, NC – “Robbing the Coop”
Crista Cammaroto of Charlotte, NC – “Maripolkagold”
Harry McDaniel of Asheville, NC – “Beat Hive”
Tom Risser of Waxhaw, NC – “4 Heads Are Better”

People’s Choice, Professional Category ($500) Courtesy of the Stevens Family Foundation:

Nathaniel Miller of Collettsville, NC – “Homework for Aunt Louise”

Visit (www.caldwellarts.com) to see photos of this year’s winners and contact the Caldwell Arts Council by calling 828/754-2486 or e-mail to (office@caldwellarts.com) with any questions.

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Seeks Artists for 2022 and 2023 Exhibitions – Deadline Sept. 17, 2021

The Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, is currently accepting portfolios from local and regional artists for exhibitions in 2022 and 2023. Exhibitions run for six weeks to two months on either floor of the arts council facility.

Details for submitting your portfolio are available at (www.caldwellarts.com). Digital submissions will be accepted through Sept. 17, 2021, and may be delivered or mailed to Caldwell Arts Council Exhibit Selection Committee, 601 College Ave SW (PO Box 1613), Lenoir, NC, 28645, or e-mailed to (office@caldwellarts.com).

The Caldwell Arts Council is a regional arts center that presents a variety of programs that foster cultural arts in Caldwell County. Our center is housed in an historic 100+ year old home. Two floors offer four gallery spaces that have been renovated as professional exhibit spaces. Exhibits range from contemporary to traditional and include 2-D and 3-D exhibitions.

The Caldwell Arts Council’s programs are supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources and by individual and corporate donors.

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Calls for Sculpture Artists for “35th Annual Sculpture Celebration” – Sept. 11, 2021

The Caldwell Arts Council announces its “35th Annual Sculpture Celebration” in Lenoir, NC, on Saturday Sept. 11, 2021, from 9am-4pm, at the Broyhill Walking Park, 945 Lakewood Circle SW, in Lenoir, North Carolina.

Sculptors are invited to bring up to 3 sculptures for this one-day event to compete for $11,000 in cash awards, along with potential sales and commissions. Registration includes free camping, a Friday Night Sculptors’ Dinner, breakfast, and a meal voucher for the day of the event.

This annual family-friendly event attracts sculptors and buyers from the eastern United States to Lenoir, North Carolina and in past years, has attracted over 4,000 people. It is funded in part by generous sponsors and by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Entry Fee: $60-80 with discounts available for early registration (free to attend).

For complete competition details, visit (www.caldwellarts.com), or contact the Caldwell Arts Council at 828/754-2486 or by e-mail at (office@caldwellarts.com).

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Calls for Sculpture Artists to Participate in 35th Annual Sculpture Celebration – Sept. 11, 2021

The Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, calls for sculpture artists to participate in its 35th Annual Sculpture Celebration, to be held Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 9am to 4pm, at Broyhill Walking Park, 945 Lakewood Circle SW, Lenoir, NC.

Cost: $50-80 with discounts available for early registration

Sculptors are invited to enter up to 3 sculptures for this one-day event to compete for $11,000 in cash awards, along with potential sales and commissions.

This annual family-friendly event attracts sculptors and buyers from the eastern United States to Lenoir and in past years, has attracted over 4,000 people. It is funded in part by generous sponsors and by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Early registration discounts are available. For complete competition details, visit (www.caldwellarts.com), or contact the Caldwell Arts Council at 828/754-2486 or e-mail to (office@caldwellarts.com).

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Announces Winners of Virtual Photography Exhibition

Photographers from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties in North Carolina were invited to enter the “Exposures Photography Competition”, a program of the Caldwell Arts Council. Judge Lynn Willis of Valle Crucis, NC, judged the competition entries, and has selected the following award-winning photographs.


Best of Show ($200) – “Reflection” by Lily Laramie, Lenoir, NC

First Place, Traditional ($100) – “Some Pig” by Pam Helton, Lenoir, NC

First Place, Abstract ($100) – “Perspective” by Cindy Hedrick Day, Lenoir, NC

Honorable Mention ($50) – “Embracing Death Valley” by Jeff Cline, Hickory, NC

Honorable Mention ($50) – “Noir Homie” by Jordan K. Ellis, Hickory, NC

Honorable Mention ($50) – “Flustered” by Bill Karr, Lenoir, NC

Honorable Mention ($50) – “Saint Johns” by Lydia Stewart, Lenoir, NC

Due to COVID-19, there will be no traditional gallery show of entries or opening reception. Instead, the showcase of entries will be exhibited virtually on the Caldwell Arts Council website at (www.caldwellarts.com).

Caldwell Arts Council in Lenoir, NC, Calls for Entries for “Exposures Photography Competition” – Deadline Jan. 8, 2021

Photographers from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties in NC are invited to enter the “Exposures Photography Competition”.

The deadline to enter is midnight January 8, 2021.

Photographers from Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties in North Carolina are invited to enter the “Exposures Photography Competition”, a program of the Caldwell Arts Council. Due to COVID-19, there will be no traditional gallery show of entries or opening reception. Instead, the showcase of entries will be exhibited virtually on the Caldwell Arts Council website.

This year’s competition features judge Lynn Willis of Valle Crucis, NC. Up to $600 in cash awards will be presented, including $200 for Best in Show, $100 for Best Traditional Photo, $100 for Best Abstract Photo, and four $50 Honorable Mention Awards.

The competition is open to adult artists, ages 18 and up, who reside in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties of North Carolina. A low entry fee of $10 allows each artist to enter up to two photos, created since January 1, 2019. All entries and fees will be submitted online only by midnight on January 8, 2021. No in-person payment or submissions will be accepted. Find the complete prospectus at (www.caldwellarts.com).

The Caldwell Arts Council is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, but is presenting different types of virtual programming.

For more information, visit (www.caldwellarts.com).