By Pamela Dozois 

reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com

Artist Choice Award by Lisa McLaughlin, “Highway One Mermaid.”

Twenty-five renowned artists exhibited at the SLOPOKE art exhibit on Sept. 27-29 at Flag Is Up Farms in Solvang, and organizers have announced the winners of the juried show.

Thomas Blackshire II, who has twice won significant recognition at the Autry Museum’s Masters of the American West, juried the art. The Wildling Museum partnered with the show and made the selection of the Best Wildlife Art.

Blackshire announced that David Paul Venell won the Best Sculpture Award for his work “Overwatch,” depicting a military figure providing cover for others.

The award for Best Painting went to Tamara Magdalena for her oil called “Old Willow Tree,” showing ranchers sheltering momentarily from the elements.

Best in Show by Jim Wodark, “Welcome Glow.”

The award for Best of Show was for a painting by artist Jim Wodark titled “Welcome Glow,” illustrating an Indian staring from afar at a campfire glow in a cave at night on a Western Mesa. 

Stacey Otte-Demangate, executive director of the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, announced the selection of Ivanie Finsvik for the Best Wildlife award, sponsored by Art of the West Magazine.

CEO Tom Burgher of Enterprise LLC, the owner of the SLOPOKE show, announced that Lisa Johnston-McLoughlin won the Artist Choice Award sponsored by Western Art and Architecture Magazine.

Best Painting by Tamara Magdalena, “Old Willow Tree.”

“Based on the strong turnout this year, the next SLOPOKE event will be held at Flag Is Up Farms on September 25, 26 and 27, 2020,” said Burgher. “We look forward to more great artists from around the Southwest to tempt serious collectors.”

Best Sculpture by David Paul Venell, “Overwatch.”

Best Wildlife by Ivanie Finsvik, “Daybreak on Lookout Mountain.”

The post Winners announced at SLOPOKE art show appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

By Jessica Schley

In an effort to bring back a venerated valley tradition, an art show and auction in the spirit of the former Peppertree Art Show was held May 20 at Flag Is Up Farm in Solvang, the home of “Horse Whisperer” Monty Roberts and his wife, sculptor Pat Roberts.

Monty Roberts auctioned off several pieces as a fundraiser for Join-Up International, a nonprofit organization that teaches gentle methods of horsemanship to students from all over the world.

For 33 years artists and collectors anticipated attending the Peppertree Art Show hosted by art collector Irma Eubanks and her husband, TV host Bob Eubanks, at their ranch in Santa Ynez. The art community nationwide was saddened by the loss of the event and venue in 2008, as it had become one of the most famous fine art shows in the nation, with hundreds of pieces on display and up for auction every year. The show attracted thousands of visitors during its three-decade run.

Several former Peppertree artists approached gallery owner and art event planner Tom Burgher of Pismo Beach to reinvigorate an annual fine art show for the valley. The inaugural featured 16 artists and was split between Western and contemporary themes. Mediums included sculpture, oil on marble, and Native American leather and beadwork, among others.

Serving as auctioneer, Monty Roberts auctioned off several pieces as a fundraiser for Join-Up International, a nonprofit founded by the Robertses to teach gentle methods of horsemanship to students from all over the world.

A surprise appearance was made by the horse Shy Boy during the auctioning of a sculpture made in his image by Pat Roberts. Shy Boy is the wild mustang that was featured in a PBS-aired BBC documentary in 1999 about Monty Roberts’ methods of horse gentling.

Classical guitarist Jack Cimo played, and Jeff Faber of Opolo Wines in Paso Robles poured tastings for the crowd of about 50. The event raised several thousand dollars, which will help the farm’s nonprofit to provide “Horse Sense & Healing” clinics for veterans and first responders.

For more information visit www.join-up.org/veterans.

The post New art auction revives Peppertree tradition appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.