Photos by Devyn Marseilles

By Pamela Dozois

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.”