First annual Art Fair draws them in

A fantastic new event was held at City Hall in Malta on Sunday, December 4, 2016. The First Annual Phillips County Heritage Arts Fair held four separate arts demonstrations from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Phillips County Student Art Competition included visual arts submissions from students in Elementary through high school grades. The most submissions were received from Whitewater Schools. The lucky winners included Vanessa Mann, Malta High School – 1st Prize high school, Dylan Brown – 1st Prize, Saco Middle School and Emerson Downing – 1st Prize – Saco Elementary School; Paige Wasson – 2nd Prize – Whitewater Elementary School, Jada Sudbrack – 2nd Prize, Saco Middle School and Josie Brown – 2nd Prize, Saco High School; Emerson Downing – 3rd Prize, Saco Elementary School, Ava Hanley – 3rd Prize, Whitewater Middle School; and Heidi Anderson – 3rd Prize, Whitewater High School.

The Professional Artist events included booth displays and sales with artists Don Greytak – graphite artist; Connie Tveten – wood carvings and acrylic paintings; Judy Michael – Artist of the Good Ole' West; Todd Mandeville – Paintings by Mandeville done in Oil; Carmen Luna – Wood carver and acrylic painter; Kris Shaw – Acrylic and Watercolor artist; Linda Warnicke – Zentangle Artist and Painter; Penny Strommen – Acrylic artist and Pottery Artist; Marla Morser – Acrylic and Oil portraits. Joining in for the Quick Draw event were Kathy Bohn-Bagley, portrait artist and Heather Jenkins – nail and acrylic painter. The artwork from the Quick Draw and additional donations were entered into the Live Auction which helped to fundraise for the Art Spot School Workshop Programs.

The next most important event of this annual affair is the Heritage Arts Show which includes artwork donated from private collections in Phillips County. Contributors included Dixie Stordahl, Pat Murdock, Lexi Haynes, Rusty Goertz, Michael Morser, Kathy and Donny Bagley, Don and Billie Rae Holman, and Jane Ereaux.

Special thanks go to the donors who contributed to the dinner and the prizes for the students, Marian Hills Golf Course and Dolores Shettel! We're all looking forward to a wonderful event next year! Watch for more information or contact Art Spot at 406-654-1523.