The Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona presented their
annual juried student show, the Best and the Brightest, now in its twentieth
consecutive year. The show had the look
and feel of a prestigious gallery opening.
And for artists hoping to be a professional, inclusion in The Best and
the Brightest increases their cachet significantly.
Elizabeth and I
attended the show on January 5th and were impressed with the level and
diversity of talent. One hundred fifty two works were juried into the show from
three hundred and fifty entries. Anticipation filled the air as awards were
presented for exceptional work in oils, water media, Drawing/Pastel and
Sculpture.
RayMar sponsored the
Best Oil Painting Award. We presented a
$250 merchandise certificate to Brenda Lee Gibson for her sensitive portrait,
“Instinct” of a young girl cradling her doll. Brenda was visibly thrilled as we gathered
around her painting for a photograph. After the photo when Brenda turned to me
and said “My painting is on one of your RayMar panels and I just love them”, we
felt like winners, too. – Cathy Dietrich
