Artists from across the country exhibited their work at the 40th Annual Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival, held on July 13 and 14 at the Heritage Park and Everal Barn. Throughout the course of the festival, close to 100 volunteers donated their time in order to make the event a success. The festival showcased work from both youth and adult artists, many of whom were awarded for their talent.
The festival included a youth exhibit of 139 students who displayed their work, totaling 290 pieces of artwork. This area of the festival was sponsored by Nationwide Children’s Hospital Westerville Close to Home Center. All youth exhibitors received a participation ribbon for their work. The 2013 Youth Awards were organized into categories. The following students were recognized at the awards ceremony Sunday afternoon:
2013 BEST IN SHOW
Budding, ages 3, 4, and 5: Janele MacClements (water color)
Elementary, ages 6-8: Charis Marshal (pencil, black and white) – home schooled
Elementary, ages 9-11: Avery Jacoby (pastels) – Robert Frost Elementary
Middle, ages 12-14: Lauren Todd (charcoal) – Veritas Academy
High, ages 15-18: Ryan Bodley (acrylics) – Westerville South
2013 PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS
Budding, ages 3, 4, and 5: Avery Strickland (mixed media) – Alcott Elementary
Elementary, ages 6-8: Ainsley Lemon (pencil, black and white) – home schooled
Elementary, ages 9-11: MaKenna Hennell (water color) – home schooled
Middle, ages 12-14: Kaitlyn Brooks (oils) – Tree of Life Christian
High, ages15-18: Ryan Bodley (Acrylics) – Westerville South
The 2013 Adult Division winners were presented with ribbons in three categories: Fine Crafts, Fine Arts and Heritage Crafts. Following the youth awards, the adult winners (listed below) accepted their ribbons at the ceremony.
FINE ARTS
Best of Show – Barney Cole, (water color)
First Place – Jim Glover, (oil)
Honorable Mention – Sherry Kahle, (ceramics)
FINE CRAFTS
Best of Show – Deanne Christman Resch, (jewelry)
First Place – Rick Paladino, (ceramics)
Honorable Mention – Faith Wickey, (graphics)
HERITAGE
Best of Show -- Bill Lance, (jewelry and chimes)
First Place – Steve Champ, (walking sticks and canes)
The Chamber is most appreciative to all of the 2013 Music & Arts Festival exhibitors for sharing their amazing talents, the businesses who sponsored several aspects of the festival and the valuable volunteers that make the festival happen.
The Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival made its first appearance in 1973 organized by the local businesses in the Chamber of Commerce. Now, years later, the Chamber has maintained the tradition and the festival is anticipated by Westerville community members and non-community members alike. What began with only 50 vendors is now acknowledged to be one of the finest juried arts festivals in Ohio that includes two stages of music, a Westerville Walkway featuring new area artists and crafters and service organizations serving our area, and youth entertainment and activities.