Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show winners announced

On Friday, Sept. 1, the winners of the 12th annual Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show were announced at the September First Friday Art Walk. The ceremony took place in front of Osmosis Art and Architecture with an artist's reception following at the former Feed Store building across the street.

Prior to the ceremony, the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band entertained the crowd in front of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts with tunes ranging from "Isn't She Lovely" and "Pictures at an Exhibition" to "Paint It Black" and "Devil With the Blue Dress," with many in the crowd singing along.

Prizes were awarded to the top three juried winners, a special category winner and the people's choice winner, with each winning artist receiving a stipend ranging from $100 to $500 for the Grand Prize. Judges this year were Mary Williams from Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder, Alyson Varvel with the Left Hand Valley Courier in Niwot, and Lisa Rivard of Rivard Art, also in Niwot.

The winners were:

• Niwot Special Smile Award and 1st Place People's Choice – Susan Soklin for "Good Boy," acrylic/mixed media

• Third Place - Lamya Deeb for "2nd Avenue Afternoon," pastel

• Second Place – Jason Emery for "Crossing Guards," oil

• Grand Prize – Jeff Server for "Left Hand Ditch Co.," photograph

The grand prize photograph by Jeff Server is featured on numerous items available for purchase, all of which support the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), the sponsor of the contest, with funding from the Niwot Local Improvement District.

One of the most popular items available are bottles of red and white wine with the winning artwork on the label. The wine has become somewhat of a collector's item, especially when signed by the artist.

The focus of the event is to highlight the look, feel and essence of Niwot while at the same time encouraging people to visit retailers around town to view the artwork entered in the contest. This year, a record 38 entries could be seen during the months of July and August at Niwot Wheel Works, Few of a Kind Vintage + Mercantile, Osmosis Gallery, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Niwot Inn & Spa, Niwot Market, Fly Away Home Décor, and Inkberry Books.

Anne Postle of Osmosis Art and Architecture, the champion of the event, said this year was the best ever. "We had more entries than ever and 50% more participation from people exploring the town and viewing the artwork. We were thrilled!"

A total of 93 people visited each of the locations and were then able to vote for their favorite artwork, with the winner receiving the People's Choice Award. Seven of the ballots were chosen at the event to receive note cards or prints of previous Grand Prize-winning pieces.

"When we had 93 ballots turned in, that means there were probably at least 200 that started and didn't have the opportunity to finish," Postle said. She believes that's what makes the second annual Artist's Reception a great opportunity to see all of the entries in one location, and to mingle with some of the artists.

Postle said that the judges really serve Niwot well. "They see the diversity in the art that comes in," she said. "The mix of different pieces, images and mediums that are represented over the last 12 years is really a tribute to all the artists around Niwot." While artists don't have to live in Niwot to enter artwork in the event, She said most entries are from Boulder County and are "people who know Niwot."

Postle has seen subtle differences in the art that has been entered over the past 12 years. She said, "More active plein air artists are choosing Niwot as a destination to paint," which has "helped this show tremendously."

Use these links for more information about upcoming Niwot events, the Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show and donating to the NCAA.