- The Center
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