IMAGE Art Show 2018

 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 Brandon Kuehn and Julie Crabtree.  They both have a wide range of artistic skills and art show judging experience.  The curator of the show was Bethany Whitehead, she has curated over 30 shows.

  A total of 165 artists from the East Central Minnesota region entered this year’s IMAGE Art Show and over 350 people attended the opening event which was held at the ECRAC offices in Braham.

 The 2 Judge’s Choice (Best of Show) Awards went to Carl Long of Ogilvie for “On the Edge of Time” and Jana Merten of North Branch for “Unicapricorn”. There were also ten Excellence Awards (1st Place) and ten Merit Awards (2nd Place).

 2018 Artistic Excellence Awards: David Baker, Sandstone; Gary Carlson, Rush City; Kendra Elyse Douglas, Shafer; Mike Gainor, Pine City; Nancy Haugen, Princeton; Charles Jokinen, Rush City; Mike Menasco, North Branch; David Spohn, Lindstrom; Richard Vincent, North Branch; and Susan Zimmerman, Sandstone.

 2018 Artistic Merit Awards: Karrie Anderson, Milaca; Carolyn Cagle, Stacy; Nathan Hager, Isanti; Dale Hawkins, Mora; Yvonne Herrmann, Foreston; Don Kaddatz, Mora; Jim Larson, Milaca; Joy Paulzine, Dalbo; Katherine Salverda, Stacy; and James Sullivan, Cambridge.

 Purchase Awards were also made and announced during the show opening. ECRAC purchased 5 works of art which now become part of the Council's permanent collection of artwork.  2018 Purchase Awards: Mary Ann Carlson, Rush City; Kendra Elyse Douglas, Shafer; Cindy Fuerstenberg, Pine City; Don Kaddatz, Mora; and Susan Zimmerman, Sandstone

 According to ECRAC Executive Director Mary Minnick-Daniels "The IMAGE Art Show keeps improving every year! It is an incredibly vibrant art exhibit and a true celebration of all of the wonderful artists that entered."

The People’s Choice Award votes were accepted from all attendees through the end of the show. The People's Choice Award winner is Tom Niedenfuer of Taylors Falls for his artwork entitled, Snowy St. Croix River Bluff.

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 31st Annual IMAGE Art Show.