IMAGE Art Show 2015 - 2016

This year, after much consideration, the IMAGE Art Show decided not to utilize set categories for entering artwork and distributing awards. Instead, artists described the artwork medium they used in their own words. There were ten Excellence Awards (1st Place) and ten Merit Awards (2nd Place).

2015 Artistic Excellence Awards (1st Place): Fred Anderson, Cambridge; Erica Belkholm, Mora; Carole Bersin, Sandstone; Karla Dahms, Mora; Jessie DeCorsey, Lindstrom; Natasha Fuller, Ogilvie; Anita Gislason, Ogilvie; Mike Menasco, North Branch; Tayler Swanson, Scandia; and Kristin Webster, Pine City.

2015 Artistic Merit Awards (2nd Place): Jodie Briggs, Cambridge; Gary Carlson, Rush City; Bill Gingery, Onamia; Wayne Johnson, Braham; B.T. Johnson, Isanti; Bron McCall, Hinckley; Roger Nieboer, Mora; Keith Raivo, Brook Park; Lauri Rockne, Mora; and Jacque Sabolik, Mora.

Purchase Awards were also made and announced during the show opening. ECRAC purchased 6 works of art which now become part of the Council's permanent collection of artwork.  2015 Purchase Awards: Carole Bersin, Sandstone; Angela Goulet, Ogilvie; Claudia Hanson, North Branch; Dee Kotaska, Mora; David Spohn, Lindstrom; and Tayler Swanson, Scandia.

The IMAGE Art Show is an annual event open to any artist residing in Region 7E (the MN counties of Chisago, Kanabec, Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Pine.) The Art Show and the awards honor some of the finest art in the area. The judges for the show were Mary Bruno and Lyz Wendlund. They both have a wide range of artistic skills and art show judging experience.

According to ECRAC Executive Director Mary Minnick-Daniels "The IMAGE Art Show is a truly joyous event! Any artist residing in the 5 county region can exhibit a piece of their own artwork. It could be an artist's very first work of art or they may make their living as an artist. This allows for an incredibly visually vibrant art exhibit."

This art exhibition was made possible by The McKnight Foundation and also by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund. Thanks also to all that came to support the artists and their work at the 29th Annual IMAGE Art Show.

Note:  After the close of the IMAGE Art Show 2015 it came to the attention of the East Central Regional Arts Council that a piece of art, which was given two awards during the show, was not an originally conceived artwork creation per the show guidelines and rules and, therefore, was ineligible.  Because of this, and after much thoughtful consideration, the Regional Arts Council Board of Directors voted to rescind the two awards given erroneously.  

Photo credit for all IMAGE photos:  Terri Huro-Torgerson