‘Best year ever’: Belleville Community Art Show winners, 2023

By Elaine Gutierrez
Belleville Area Council for the Arts
It was the best year ever for the Belleville Area Council for the Arts at its 14th-annual Community Art Show on Oct. 13-15. More than 80 talented artists participated with some 200 entries for public viewing at the Belleville Yacht Club.
A special thank you goes to the judges of the artwork for the show: Toni Munie, local leaded and beveled glass artist; Denise Sutton, owner of Denise Sutton Interiors; and Keturah Wood, Curriculum Director of Southgate Public Schools and acrylic painter.
BACA congratulates the winners as follows:
2-Dimension: 1st – Liz Dobbs, 2nd – Mary Orr, 3rd – Cynthia Price.
3D/Fiber Art: 1st – Loel Gnadt, 2nd – Diane Eissinger, 3rd – Nancy Cooper.
Photography: 1st – Kim Ion, 2nd – Terrah Stewart, 3rd – Genevieve Gregory.
Upcycled: 1st – Cheryl Martin, 2nd – Rhonda Dutton, 3rd – Amy O’Brien
Teens (Ages 13-18): 1st – Abigail Scott, 2nd – Emma Bovcc, 3rd – Emma Przybylo
Children (Ages 6-12): 1st – Katherine Gregory, 2nd –Leanna Scott, 3rd – Olivia Vitti.
People’s Choice: Rhonda Dutton’s “Kiss a Fish.”
Winners in all seven categories were awarded ribbons and cash prizes. Photos of the winning artwork can be seen on facebook at Belleville Area Council for the Arts – BACA.
Guest judges gave ribbons to the following artists: Kereen Conley, awarding Emma Bovcc; John Juriga, choosing Steven Paulsen; Eric Luke and Kevin McNamara, selecting Rhonda Dutton; Lisa Martin picking Cynthia Price; Carmen Stovall awarding Mary Orr; and Mary Jo Suchy selecting Renae Turner.
After the awards ceremony, Howard Puchalsky, wood carving artist, presented a bald eagle sculpture to Rosemary Otzman of the Belleville Area Independent for her service to our communities and her dedication to BACA over the years.
Special tables were set up for Maisy Shay, 2023 Senior Scholarship Recipient; Bob Mytych, in memoriam; and W.H.A.T. (We Have Artistic Talent), local artist group.
BACA thanks the Art Show Sponsors: WM for the Upcycled Category, Belleville Area District Library, Keith & Ginger Bruder, Amy M. Eversole, Michele Montour, Jean & Kerry Morris, Thom & Cynthia Price, The Pumpkin Factory, Sumpter Collision, Wagner’s Homestead Farm, and John, Marilyn & Kathryn Wood.
BACA appreciates and thanks pianist, Judith Weed, the Belleville Yacht Club, Garden Fantasy on Main, The Pumpkin Factory, Wagner’s Homestead Farm and WM for their contributions to the show. Programs were printed with the cooperation of the Belleville Area District Library and Montour Designs.
The organizing committee members were Rhonda Dutton, Kim Ensch, Ed Good, Elaine Gutierrez, Kathleen Klein, Michele Montour, Jean Morris, Cynthia Price, Howard Puchalsky, Cheryl Wagner and Kathryn Wood.
Other BACA programs include cultural outings, music lakeside summer series, community art and student scholarships. For more information on BACA, go to its website at: www.bacaart.org .