2023 – Adult Craft

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First Place

Midnight Bloom
quilting

by Betty Davis, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of American in Los Angeles, CA

Coming in First Place in the Craft Category is Betty Davis, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, CA, for “Midnight Bloom.”

Measuring 53 by 60 inches, the viewer stumbles upon a garden very much alive at nighttime. Four rows of multicolored flowers are centered in the fabric. In the leftmost row of the garden, white petals stand stark against the night sky, followed by a smaller, purple petaled flower being visited by four playful butterflies flitting from stem to stem. Shades of pink coat the third stem, and bright oranges the fourth. Three more lively butterflies join the garden to flutter between the vibrant petals of pinks and oranges. Various shades of blues in differing shapes and sizes cover the background, shadows playing the night. All are encased in a stone flower bed, bordering the life inside.  

Second Place

Bones
stoneware

by Diana Crain, an independent artist from Petaluma, CA

Coming in Second Place in the Craft Category is Diana Crain, an independent artist from Petaluma, CA, for “Bones.”

This ceramic work measures 23 by 4 by 4 inches, depicting a wave of rustic orange sweeping up from the bottom center of the vase. The orange waves veer right, then weaves into silver covering most of the opposite side. The vase stands tall and cylindrical before tapering off at the top to form the smooth neck supporting a flat overhanging lip. A bone white makes up the background of the vase, the silvers, and oranges both blending in and standing out at the same time, all working together like tendon and bone.  

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Third Place – Tie

Mosaic Wolf
mosaic

by Tatiana Corri, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of America in Anaheim, CA

Third Place in the Craft Category is Tatiana Corri, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of America in Anaheim, CA, for “Mosaic Wolf.”

This framed, mosaic artwork measures 13 by 15.5 by 1 inch. The piercing blue eyes of the wolf, centered in the artwork, draw the viewer in immediately, curiosity piqued. The ears on the wolf are active, raised, and alert, looking out from the snowy landscape. The nose and mouth remain neutral, still inquisitive of the surroundings. The wolf is stark against the light background. Dark gray tiles frame the wolf’s forehead and cheeks, fading to light and heather grays as the tiles progress to the upper haunches. The texture of the tiles gives life to the coat, scruffy but soft. The modest dark frame around the piece enhances the contrast of light to dark of the piece, providing a window to gaze out at the wolf or, rather, it in.

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Third Place – Tie

Untitled
quilting

by Steven Moore, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, CA

Coming in Third Place in the Craft Category is Steven Moore, an adult artist from the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, CA, for “Untitled.”

This piece displays a quilt, measuring 47 by 47 inches. The words “NIPSEY HUSSLE R.I.P” take top and center to this piece. Centered on top, a photo of a smiling Nipsey looking at the camera. Below the photo is “LA LOVE” with the dates of Nipsey’s birth and death, “August 1985 – March 31, 2019”. This same montage is repeated at the bottom left corner of the piece. To the bottom right corner, a similar ode to Nipsey. Here with a solemn glance Nipsey looks down at the camera as he ascends into the sky on his angel wings. “REST IN PARADISE – NIPSEY HUSSLE” appears across his chest. In the top left and right corners is “WEAR YOUR MASK YOU BIG DUMMY” frames an individual wearing a face mask and Newsboy style hat as he gives the camera the side eye. The piece only shows color in 2 places. The most prominent is the large royal blue line running straight across the center of the piece, dividing the top from the bottom. The second is the bottom center with “ALL STAR 2018 – Los Angeles” printed in red and blue. Additionally, a red star in the middle with a basketball shooting over top. The greyscale photos paying respect and homage to the Nipsey, a loved one gone too soon. The bright All-Star print celebrating his life as an All-Star. 

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Visioneer Award

Preparation, Foundation, and Support
mixed media, crochet

by Christy Smith, an independent artist from Sarasota, FL

Coming in as the Visioneer Award Winner in the Craft Category is Christy Smith, an independent artist from Sarasota, FL, for “Preparation, Foundation, and Support.”

Measuring 48 by 30 by 30 inches, a crocheted American flag hangs against a blue background. Small, crocheted palm trees stand to either side with an orange service cone joining the tree on the left. In the center of it all sits a firefighter. This service person is in full firefighter gear, from the bright yellow helmet to the mask, brown jacket rimmed with yellow cuffs, pants with black knee pads, and black and yellow striped boots, as though ready for the next call to action. Their red bladed ax is at the ready lying just to the left of them. To the right, tucked just under the seat, is a crochet flashlight. The firefighter is prepared to ring the red bell in front of their left foot when the signal is given but until then they are ready. Eyes wide staring out at possibilities and snacks next to their right foot for the energy they will need.

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