Awards were announced for Looking West, AWA’s exhibition at the Steamboat Art Museum, June 28, at the Chief Theater in Steamboat Springs, CO. Award jurors were Christine Bullard (Art Collector), John Fawcett (Artist) and Jennifer Henneman (Associate Curator, Petrie Institute of Western American Art, Denver Art Museum). Over $25,000 in cash and merchandise awards were given out to the following artists:

Grand Prize Award: $6,00 cash
Point Lobos Cypress, oil, 24″ x 30″
By Laurie Kersey, Signature Member (CA)

Richard Galusha and Shirley Stocks Purchase Award
Pursuing a Dream, oil on panel, 18″ x 13″
By Heide Presse, Master Member (FL)

Distinguished Achievement in Landscape, Seascape, or Cityscape: $1,000 cash
Prairie Light Catchers, oil, 20″ x 16″
By Susan Lynn, Signature (MA) 

Distinguished Achievement in Figurative or Portraiture: $1,000 cash
See Me, colored pencil, 12″ x 9″
By Mandy Peltier, associate with Distinction (OH)

Distinguished Achievement in Still Life: $1,000 cash
Dragonfly’s Dream, oil on linen, 24″ x 30″
By Rachele Nyssen, Associate (CA)

Distinguished Achievement in Sculpture: $1,000 cash
Shooting Star, bronze, 17″ x 17″ x 4″
By Kirsten Kokkin, Master (CO)

American Art Collector Award of Excellence
Coffee with Frida, oil, 40″ x 30″
By Leslie DuPratt, Signature (CA)

Art of the West Award of Excellence
Into the Silver Lining, oil, 24′ x 24″
By Kami Mendlik, Signature (MN)

Fine Art Connoisseur Award of Excellence
A Capella, oil on canvas, 36″ x 36″
By Anne Harkness, Associate with Distinction (NC)

Southwest Art Magazine Award of Excellence
Dead or Alive, oil, 40″ x 30″
By Vanessa Rusczyk, Associate with Distinction (CA)

Western Art & Architecture Award of Excellence
Lean in, colored scratchboard, 60″ x 24″
By Sally Maxwell, Signature (TX)

Frances Trachok Memorial Award of Excellence: $500 cash
Lean on Me, oil on canvas, 24″ x 24″
By Crystal Beshara, Associate with Distinction (Ontario, Canada)

Natural History Interpretation Award of Recognition in Painting or Drawing: $250 cash
Leaning In, graphite on Rives BFK, 30″ x 22″
By Cathryne Trachok, Signature (CA)

Natural History Interpretation Award of Recognition in Sculpture: $250 cash
Cali, Alabaster, 16″ x 9″ x 6″
By Elisa Adams, Signature (MA)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Luminescence, oil, 35″ x 45″
By Paula Holtzclaw, Master (NC)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Fancy That, watermedia, 30″ x 22″
By Carla O’Connor, Associate (WA)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
On the Windshield: Morning Commute, Oil on gessobord, 16″ x 16″
By Dianne Massey Dunbar, Master (CO)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
San Jose Mission Doors, pastel, 30″ x 30″
By Nancy Lilly, Associate (TX)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Natural Curls, mixed media, 36″ x 24″
By Barbara Dahlstedt, Associate (AZ)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Waiting, watercolor, 18″ x 24″
By Sandy Delehanty, Signature (CA)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Portrait of Eileen, oil, 16″ x 20″
By Stanka Kordic, Associate (OH)

Award of Excellence: $250 cash
Pawtrait of a Black Bear, scratchboard, 11″ x 14″
By Ginger Gehres, Signature (CA)

We want to sincerely thank the following individuals and companies who donated cash or merchandise for this year’s awards:
AirFloat Systems
American Art Collector
Ampersand Art Supply
America West Frames
Art of the West
Artwork Archives
Bella Muse Productions
Chavant, Inc
Fine Art Connoisseur
Fuji Spray
Richard Galusha and Shirley Stocks
JFM Enterprises
Diane Mason
Scottsdale Artists’ School
Southwest Art Magazine
Trachok Family
Trekell Professional Art Supplies
Western Art & Architecture
Wind River Arts