2006 CVAA Scholarship Benefit art show a success, again

This year's Carson Valley Art Association Scholarship Benefit art show took place Nov. 2-5 at the CVIC Hall in Minden with the support of the Town of Minden. More than 89 artists entered 133 pieces, up from 116 entries last year, mostly from Carson Valley and Eagle Valley. A few were from Lake Tahoe and Reno. More than half were from non-CVAA members and many were new to CVAA Shows.

The ribbon winners are:

Best of show - "Finch Pond" Ric Rose, Gardnerville; first place - "Sunday in Bed" Rosamond Moranville, Gardnerville; second place - "Born to be Wild" Terri Sweeney, Gardnerville; third place - "Valley Bar, Centerville" John Soderman, Gardnerville; honorable mention - "Endangered Species" Paul Ford, Minden; honorable mention - "Long Winter Hold" Mechelle Johnson, Gardnerville; honorable mention - "Reflections" Janice Powell, Gardnerville; honorable mention "Landscape" Gayle Steinman, Minden; honorable mention "Virginia City Tailings" Bob Thompkins, Gardnerville; honorable mention - "Springtime in Yosemite" Marilyn Weiher, Reno; and people's choice "Born to be Wild" Teri Sweeney, Gardnerville.

The recipients of the 2006 scholarships, Niles Randall Crow and Lisa Shoemaker from Douglas High School and Sarah Angstadt and Sebastian Diaz from Whittell High School, exhibited their work and their continuing art plans and goals.

The attendance was about the same as the last few years; the weather was better, but the Douglas High School playoff game was at the same time as the Friday night reception. The sale of artwork was down, but contributions and the sale of raffle tickets were up. CVAA will be able to award the two $1,000 regular scholarships and probably the two $500 supplemental scholarships again in 2007. All the money from the sale of raffle tickets, art supplies from the flea table, entry fees, contributions and commissions on the sale of art work go toward the scholarship fund.

For more than 20 years, CVAA has awarded at least one scholarship to a Douglas High School senior seeking a career in the art world. Over the years, CVAA expanded the scholarship awards to more high school seniors and supplemental awards to prior recipients. The original $1,000 scholarship was initiated in honor of Elizabeth Johnson, a longtime member of CVAA, who established the art supply flea table as a feature of our show. The second $1,000 scholarship is from CVAA.

In November, the CVAA scholarship committee notifies all the high schools in Douglas County that it is awarding the two $1,000 scholarships.

The schools notify students that the scholarships are being awarded. Interested students submit their application to the committee in April. The committee interviews the students in May to evaluate their work and assess their plans for their continuing art education and career goals. This year was an especially difficult task to select from the nine well qualified candidates. The CVAA allowed the scholarship committee to add the two $500 supplemental scholarships in addition to the two $1,000 scholarships. The scholarships are awarded in June.

The CVAA gives a great, heartfelt thanks to all the businesses and individuals that donated prizes for the raffle, a significant portion of the scholarship fund. They are: Artisans International, Bouquet and Bouquet, Dianne Campbell, Candles and Crafts, Casa Bella, Anonymous, Central Systems Electric, Cook's Pantry, 88 Cups, Carson Valley Garden and Ranch Center, Carson Valley Inn, Douglas County Historical Society, Empire Ranch Golf Club, Helen Fanning, Fresh Ideas, Genoa Trading Post, Hamdogs, Joyce's Jewelry, Gifts and Antiques, Margie Leslie, Lone Tree Frame and Gallery, Kas Monson, Overland Basque Bar and Restaurant, Rancho Grande, Ric Rose, Sharkey's, Shear Heaven, Elinor Skiles, Sierra Tahoe Golf, Soar Minden, Sunridge Golf Club, Sally Sozoff, Sweetie Pies, Taildragger Café, Bob Thompkins, David Walley's Hot Springs Resort, Betty Warner, Wasabi's, A Wildflower and Woodetts.