Little Dickens Winners Announced

Backstreet Gallery, 1421 Bay St., honors the community participants in the annual Little Dickens Miniature Show with a reception 3-5 PM during the Second Saturday Gallery Tour on December 12. Refreshments and live Celtic music make this a festive event you won’t want to miss.

Backstreet appreciates all the fabulous community pieces that were submitted. Juror Mary Colgan-Bennetts, artist and Siuslaw Library Circulation Manager, had a difficult time determining which of these marvelous miniatures would receive the ribbons. Without knowing the identity of the artists who produced the pieces, Mary selected a husband and wife who share art as an important part of their lives.

Best of Show 2-D recipient is Rosy Clark for her tiny rendition of “Simple Pleasures”, a delightful watercolor. Around town, you may have seen Rosy’s marvelous wall murals. In addition she paints in oils, however, her present focus is on watercolors. Her mini is a smaller version of a full size work and is done in watercolor on Yupo Paper, a very difficult medium.

Pancho Clark was awarded Best of Show for his 3-D innovative metal sculpture entitled, “Giant Shadows”(add ‘s’). Pancho is well known in Florence for his ingenuity in a variety of media. His winning piece is forged from stainless steel. Pancho won this Little Dickens Best of Show award a few years back.

Along with the Best of Show Awards, Backstreet Gallery will host an exhibition of art by Rosy and Pancho in April 2016. You’ll be surprised by their presentation as their April show will not necessarily be miniature pieces.

Congratulations to the following artists. Two-dimensional ribbons were awarded to: First Place – Stephanie Ames’ photo, “Montana”, Second Place – Silvia Trujillo, oil, “Lady Charlotte”, and Third Place – Peg Swanson, raku ceramic, “Indio Vines.”

Three-dimensional ribbons were presented to: First Place – Pancho Clark, metal sculpture, “Kinetic Cowboy”, Second Place – Bill Johnson, assemblage, “Time Machine”, Third Place – Geraldine McMahan, ceramic, “Seeking Revelation”.

Providing the music for this exciting reception for our community artists will be another favorite community artist of the Flute, Terri Mihm.  Terri is well versed in many styles, and plays skillfully with pizazz and originality on her improvisational inspirations.  She will be honored to have with her a well-known and loved Harpist, Suzanne Bonnen, from Corvallis.  Suzanne has performed for over 20 years, from classics to contemporary and Celtic, bringing much peace and joy to all who hear her.

Little Dickens Show hangs until January 3. Make sure you see this exceptional exhibition.