The Iditarod Art Show returns
The 21st Iditarod Fine Art Show, sponsored by the Nome Arts Council, was back in person after a twoyear absence due to COVID cancellations of Iditarod events. This year’s show, comprised of 86 entries from Nome and the surrounding region, was held at Old St. Joe’s Hall Monday, March 14 through Saturday the 19th.
The judges Joy Berger of Anchorage, DeeDee Jonrowe of Willow and Lisa Leeper of Nome were amazed by the delightful sampling of creative community talent.
An art reception was held Friday, March 18 from 5-7 P.M. The public enjoyed refreshments while Angela Hansen, art show organizer, extended a welcome, thanked the participants and recognized Christina Perrigo, Nora Nagaruk, Lisa Leeper and members of the Nome Arts Council, who directly helped with the show.
Hansen announced the winners while Marguerite LaRiviere, President of the Nome Arts Council, shook their hands as they came forward to accept their prize money. The votes for the People’s Choice Award were tallied and this year there was a tie between the stainedglass walrus - “Staying Afloat” by Chloe Mattheis and the knitted qiviut “Baby Boy Aviator Sweater” by Loretta Bullard.
Artist Karen Olanna, who sponsors the Patrice Shook Best Animal Awards, announced a new recognition that she wanted to bestow. It is the “Delores Orman Volunteer Spirit Award,” in memory and honor of Hansen’s mother who passed away last August. Delores graciously assisted with the art show regularly since it began in 1999 and her helping hand and ready smile have already been missed. The award recipients are Ben Jack, Eve Mendenhall and Lisa Leeper. They were selected for their extra kindness and effort in setting up both the art and craft show held at Old St. Joe’s last week.
This concluded the ceremony and artists picked up their works on Saturday. It is always a delight to see what people are creating in Nome and never too soon to start working on new entries for next year’s show.
21st Iditarod Art Show Results Adult Division Oil/Acrylic:
1. - “Fish Camp Cousins” by Nora Nagaruk; 2. “Winter Encounter” by David Wortman; 3. “Spring at Last” by Amanda Davison; Honorable Mention “Granny Golovin” by Michelle Harvey
Watercolor/Ink/Pastel: 1. “Barn Owl” by Mackenzie Rapp; 2. “Aunty
Esther” by Nora Nagaruk; 3. “Bluethroat/Ptarmigan/ Crow” by Myra Scholze; Honorable Mention - “A Girl and Her Pup” by Angela Hansen
Photography/Graphic Art: 1. “Kamchatka Rhododendron” by Ken Hughes; 2. “Walrus Hunt” by Gloria Walluk; 3. “Fillets for Days” by Katie O’Connor; Honorable Mention: “Summer Buzz” by Rebecca Sherman-Luce
3-Dimensional (Hard Materials): 1. “Rebirth” by Karen Olanna; 2. “Scorpion” by Claudia Ihl; 3. “Leaves of Sunflowers” by Meredith Ahmasuk; Honorable Mention: “Royer’s Cabin” by Thomas Koehler
3-Dimensional (Textiles and Soft Materials): 1. “Recycled Blue Jean Bag” by Caroline Muktoyuk Brown; 2. “Tulip Quilt” by Robert Ryan; 3. “Girl’s Parky Size 6” by Sister Olson; Honorable Mention: “Yupik Piluguks” by Jolene Lyon.
Judges’ Choice: “Baby Boy Aviator Sweater” by Loretta Bullard
Patrice Shook Best Animal Award: “Night Owl” by Naomi Green
Student Division
10-Years and Under: 1. “Humpback Whale” by Jamison EricksonFord;
2. “Insects on a Sunny Day” by Silas Ventress; 3. “Lion” by Theodore Ventress; Honorable Mention: “Outside in the Summer” by Karmin Perkins
11-18 Years: 1. “Northern Lights on a Starry Night” by Liam Erickson-Ford; 2. “Nested” by Shaina Hobbs; 3. “Covid-19” by Quinton Bahnke; Honorable Mention: “Beadwork on a Hanger” by Vamura Olanna
Judges’ Choice Student Division: “Sitting, Waiting, Fishing” by Sienna Pederson
Patrice Shook Best Animal Student Award: “Silent Fox” by Jamison Erickson-Ford
Combined Adult and Student Divisions Iditarod Theme Award (adult and student categories combined)
- “Getting Ready” by Karen Olanna
People’s Choice: “Staying Afloat” by Chloe Mattheis and “Baby Boy Aviator Sweater” by Loretta Bullard