Judges select two previous winners in 2003

By Don Ward
Editor
MADISON, Ind. (Sept. 28, 2003) – Kathleen Green of Groveport, Ohio, and Barry Black of Warsaw, Ind., were selected as repeat winners Sept. 28 at the 33rd annual Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art.
Green won first place in the Fine Art category after having won Best of Show last year. Black was a repeat winner with the Best Presentation award for his “museum-quality” wooden carved, hand-painted butterflies.

Photo by Don Ward The 2003 Madison Chautauqua winners pose in front of the Lanier Mansion with Madison Mayor Al Huntington (third from left).

This year’s Best of Show, the festival’s highest honor, went to Melanie Kimmel of Latrobe, Pa., for her unusual “Fabric Art,” framed two-dimensional designs made of small pieces of quilting fabric. The judge’s cited Kimmel’s “excellent craftmanship and detail.” The award was sponsored by Eckert, Alcorn, Goering & Sage Attorneys at Law.
First Place in Crafts went to Robert Nilsson of Pensacola, Fla., for his hand-forged jewelry.
“It’s an honor to have won the first time, much less a second time here,” said Green, who topped the judging with her realistic oil paintings.
Other winners included Clifford Nevin of Marietta, Pa., second place Craft; John and Sue Disney of Batavia, Ohio, third place, Craft; Jamie Rehfeld of Richland, Mich., second place Fine Art; Pat Gerlach of Bismarck, N.D., third place Fine Art. The Disneys placed in the Craft category last year.

Photo by Don Ward Melanie Kimmel of Latrobe, Pa., won Best of Show with her "Fabric Art," pieces of quilt arranged into various designs.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to David Yeh for his silk paintings, Mauro Possobon for his sculptures, Pat Little for friendly presentation and Erin Timberlake for her creative gourd designs.
A special award was presented on Saturday to Everett Archer of West Baden, Ind. for being the longest running exhibitor in the show after a 30-year run. He is also the oldest exhibitor at age 85. Archer creates unique metal wall designs, wine bottle holders, fountains and more.
Following Sunday’s award ceremony, the winning booths drew a crowd during the two-day festival, which enjoyed cool but dry weather after two stellar years of sunny, dry weather.
“We’re pleased with the weather and the turnout this year. The exhibitors say they are selling,” said festival coordinator Georgie Kelly.

Photo by Don Ward Barry Black's unique wood-carved butterflies won Best Presentation for the second straight year.

The festival goers enjoyed beautiful weather on Saturday and most of Sunday. But a late afternoon shower put an early ending on the weekend for many exhibitors and shoppers.
Many exhibitors travel to Louisville the following weekend to take part in the St. James Art Fair, the city's oldest and one of the largest in the state.
The Madison show, meanwhile, enjoyed its 33rd year. Many arrived by boat on the Ohio River. The festival site is located along the Ohio River and includes three blocks of exhibitor areas around the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. The festival is highlighted each year by live entertainment at two locations within the festival. A Saturday night classical music performance is also part of the entertainment lineup.
The festival is Madison's largest and by far the most profitable, with its beginnings dating back to 1970. An earlier Chautauqua, featuring speakers and old-fashioned entertainment, once took place in the early 1900s a few blocks west of the current festival site.

• For more information, call the Madison Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (812) 265-2956 or 1-800-552-2956, or visit the Madison Chautauqua official homepage.