The 13th Anniversary Artisphere festival presented by TD Bank features 135 artists from across the country selected from a record-breaking 1,136 submissions from 41 states and 5 different countries with 41 of the artists new to the festival this year.
On Friday, May 12th artist exhibitors were judged by festival jurors Todd Anderson (Assistant Professor of Art, Printmaking, Clemson University, Clemson, SC), Mercedes Jelinek (Photographer, Artist in Residence, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC), and Marilyn Zapf (Assistant Director, the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design (CCCD), Asheville, NC). 10 cash awards including; Best in Show ($5,000), 1st Place 2D ($2,500), 2nd Place 2D ($1,000), 1st Place 3D ($2,500), 2nd Place 3D ($1,000), four Awards of Excellence ($500 each), and the Mayor’s Choice Award ($500), sponsored by Haynworth Sinkler Boyd were distributed on Saturday, May 13th at the Artist Awards Breakfast.
This year’s Best of Show winner was Richard Wilson (Drawing) of Greenville, NC. For 2D art, 1st place went to Joseph Bradley, Greenville, SC, and 2nd place was awarded to Charles Gatewood of Phenix, AL. In 3D art, the 1st place award went to Tara Locklear, Raleigh, NC, and 2nd place went to Nicario Jimenez of Naples, FL. Four Awards of Excellence were also distributed to Hallie Bertling of Greenville, SC, Amber Marshall of Spruce Fine, NC, R. Michael Wommack of Langhorne, PA, and Paveen “Beer” Chunhaswasdikul of Gadson, AL. Mayor Knox White presented the 2017 Mayor’s Choice Award to Emerging Festival Artist, Kiah Bellows.
The 13th Anniversary Artisphere festival is open today until 8 PM today with concerts on the WYFF-4 Main Stage ending at 10 PM. The festival is open on Sunday, May 14 from 11AM to 6PM.
