Meet our local artist winners for CCAN 2020

by: Robert K. Cleaves

Here in Abilene and our surrounding area, we have a lot of artistic talent. Nothing has proved that more than seeing our very own Artist members win national awards. For the fourth time, we have hosted the Center for Contemporary Arts National Juried Competition (CCAN) and artists from around the country submit their art show. We're always proud to see artists from right here get selected and even go on to win awards.

Out of the more than 350 entries, more than 30 were local artists. After careful consideration by our juror, Thomas Motley, twelve winners were selected. Three were from Abilene.

The local artist winners:

Kathie Walker-Millar

Merit Award

• Modigliani’s Model and Her Cat Ceramic, Mid-range Glazes, Cone 6 Oxidation

Charles "Chuck" Roach

1st Place 2D Acrylic

• Almost There, Acrylic on Masonite

Freddy Gonzales

1st Place Digital

• Cat Attack Horror! Digital Collage

The best part is that Thomas Motley wasn't given the names of the artists or where they're from. He saw the pieces just as many as our patrons who walk through the door see them: art. The artist's craft and talent shine through in the pieces. Their dedication and spirit show the Big Country has some of the best artistic talent around.

Luckily, we get to show all of them at the Center along with the rest of the winners, and selections for CCAN 2020.

The rest of our winners:

Kristen Franyutti

• Biomorphic, 1st Place Mixed Media

Anton Hoeger

• Swimmer, 1st Place 2D Oil

Nicholas Wood

• D80 Diptychs. Arc 2, 1st Place Pastel / Dry Media

Trish Poupard

• Armadillo Sunset, 1st Place Watercolor

Jane Walker

• In The Grass, 1st Place Photography

Karen Sienk

• Needed Funk, 1st Place Fiber

Thomas Holton

• Klettern Eifel, 1st Place Sculpture

Aria Brownell

• Untitled (Devdog's Basement), Juror's Award

Lydia Dildilian

• Blood Moon in the Swamp Lands, Best of Show