Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. The High Peaks Art Festival last weekend couldn’t have been any better. It was warm, non windy and filled with music, food and spectacular art. It was the 16th annual Nederland festival in the town parking lot and this year there were 46 booths of juried artwork, most of them repeat participants.
This season The High Peaks was named among the Top Ten summer Art Festivals in Colorado, which Festival Director, Cathy Stiers, was proud to announce.
At 12:30 p.m. Cathy and various sponsors of the festival walked among the tents and handed out awards to the artists receiving critical acclaim. Winners of each category received ribbons and gift certificates from their specific sponsors.
The first award presented was The Spirit of Dave Felkley Memorial Award which is given to the artists that best represents Felkley’s philosophy of being kind to the earth and to each other and to walk softly. Doug Felkley, Dave’s son, presented the award to Jen Grant for her arubymoon peace flags, which advocate, “Connect, Create and Celebrate.” The award is sponsored by the First Tracks Consulting Service.
Doug presented Jen with a walking stick made from a eucalyptus tree from Catalina that Dave carved and signed. Jen accepted the award, saying, “This is a tremendous honor. I hope I continue to honor his memory.”
Grant also won the Best of Show Award for Fiber art sponsored by The Alpaca Store.
Cathy Stiers presented the Chai Isaac Leeman Memorial Award in honor of her nephew, who died at the age of 20, to Bruce Miller, a local artist, who uses color unsparingly. Cathy says her nephew loved color and would have loved Bruce’s work.
The Best of Mixed Media went to David Jessup, who has received the award several times for his hyper-tufa garden containers displayed with plants and fountains. The award of $50 was sponsored by Janette and Julian Taylor. Jessup is a Sugarloaf resident.
The Carousel of Happiness Award for the Best of Sculpture went to Tony Prodzinzki for his stone sculptures. The award for $50 was presented by Katrina Harms.
The Best of Photography Award went to Alex Burke, a first time participant in the festival, from Greeley. He has been attending art shows for about four years and says he enjoyed the High Peaks show in Nederland. The photography award of $50 was sponsored by Peak to Peak Counseling.
The Best of Ceramics Award went to Alyssa Koster of the Awk Gallery for her pottery. Alyssa recently moved to Nederland and returned to her art after a three-year break.
The Best of Woodworking Award went to Bud Smoot for his creative unique birdhouses. The $50 cash prize was sponsored by Loran Smith Woodworking.
For the first time, there was a Best of Body Care Award. The $50 cash prize was sponsored by Indian Peaks Ace Hardware to Kate Miller for her herbal body care products.
Ivy Howard received the Best of Fine Craft Award for her spectacular gourds. The $100 cash prize was sponsored by New Moon Bakery.
The Blue Owl sponsored the Best of Painting Award that went to Bruce White. Blue Owl Books and Ice Cream sponsored the $50 cash prize.
This year’s Best of Colorado Award went to photographer Roger Doaks for his amazing landscapes and wildlife pictures. The $50 cash prize was sponsored by The Business Connection.
The Best of Jewelry Award went to Julia Glassman for her enamel and glass jewelry. The $70 cash prize was sponsored by Wes and Susan Schneider.
The Best of Show Award for $200, sponsored by the Nederland Downtown Development Authority, was presented to Mike Moore for his flint knapping pieces made of antlers and horns, each one totally unique and, “So easy to make, a caveman could do it.”
Throughout the weekend local bands, Blackdog, Fiona Higgins, The DBD’s, Dan Perez and Friends, Doug Bightwood All-Stars, The Gael, and the Jerryatrix played lively and fun music, adding to the party atmosphere.
Visitors licked large Blue Owl Ice Cream cones and Kathmandu offered lunch specials.
Many dogs on leashes showed up, most of them smaller and worthy of the Westminster Dog Show as they strutted through the fair, showing off their pedigree breeding.
The Nederland Police Department did a great job of making sure people crossed the highway safely and local businesses enjoyed the swarms of pedestrian traffic cruising the downtown area of Nederland.
