Cathy Stiers, Nederland.     Artists love to receive awards at juried art shows. It is a wonderful way to honor and celebrate artists whose work is selected as “the best of the best.”  The Artist Awards program at the High Peaks Art Festival was started six years ago. Each year, ribbons and awards totaling over $1,100 are given to artists in 13 categories.

Three judges view the artwork on Saturday morning and then meet to discuss their choices. The criteria they use in selecting the award winners are originality, creativity, and execution of technique. Guest Judges this year are Jim DeLutes, Director of the Downtown Denver Art Festival (Memorial Day weekend) and the Affordable Arts Festival (Sunday August 24th in Littleton); and Cheryl Day, Director of the Alpine ArtAffair in Winter Park (July 19-20).

This year’s Best of Show award is a $200 cash prize, sponsored by the Dona Abbott Memorial Endowment. Dona was an award winning painter known nationally for her realistic paintings of scenes and people. She was a beloved member of the Boulder art community who passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The High Peaks Art Festival is so pleased that Dona’s family has chosen to honor Dona’s memory with this award.

Nederland businesses and community members have enthusiastically supported the Artist Awards program every year. All category award winners receive $50 cash. Pat Everson is a local painter and has been sponsoring an award annually ever since the program began. This year she will sponsor the Best of Painting award.

Amy Hartman of Peak to Peak Counseling has also been a sponsor each year, sponsoring Best of Photography. Ted Weaver of First Tracks Consulting will again sponsor Best of Fine Art with a $100 prize. Mountain Rose Hair Care is the $75 sponsor of Best of Fine Craft.

The Carousel of Happiness is the sponsor of Best of Sculpture and Scott Harrison and the Carousel animals are honored in the Best of Wood award, sponsored by Janette and Julian Taylor. Best of Ceramics is awarded by Dandelion Fine Art & Gifts.

Best of Fiber is sponsored by The Alpaca Store & More, and Best of Mixed Media is sponsored by the Lodge at Nederland who gives a certificate for a free night’s stay. Community members and volunteers Wes and Susan Schneider will once again sponsor the Best of Jewelry prize.

Slade Glass in Boulder contacted the Festival after last year’s event to offer sponsorship of Best of Glass in 2014 and they have increased the amount of the award to $100.

Best of Colorado is a new award, founded last year and given to the artist who the judges feel most represents Colorado through their artwork. This year the award is sponsored by Deb D’Andrea of 4TheLuvofDogz.

The awards are presented at 12:30 on Saturday, June 28th.  The public is invited to join the judges, Mayor Joe Gierlach, and many of the artist award sponsors as they enthusiastically walk through the show and surprise the winners!