VAC honors the best in art and design at annual awards
The Painting II assignment called for staging and photographing a person interacting with an object and applying it to a canvas. Tidewater Community College student Alison Miller knew she wanted a creation that combined the mysterious with the unique. She considered replicating her son, Kaine, playing his viola, but it didn’t translate well into a painting. On a whim, she told him to grab his PlayStation, her inspiration for Player One, Ready!, winner of the Visual Arts Center Purchase Award.
Miller’s painting was one of several recognized at the 49th Annual Student Art & Design Exhibition at the VAC.
“When the judge described my painting during the ceremony, she commented on the details and the emotion that I hoped was captured, giving me a boost in my confidence toward my work,” said the Navy wife, who will graduate in May with associate degrees in Studio Arts and Pre-Art Therapy.
Melinda Watson’s photograph Red Pepper Flakes, winner of the President’s Award, was inspired by photographer Corinna Gissemann’s use of contrasting light,
“When I am creating my pieces, I strive to make them look live, enough that they could just be picked up and eaten,” said Watson, who graduated in December with an Associate of Applied Arts in Studio Arts with a Specialization in Photographic Media Arts. “The level of detail seen in my image was done with the use of a macro lens. I like getting lost in the tiny details of my subjects by getting up close and personal to them.”
All winners listed below:
VAC Purchase Award (Dr. Deborah M. DiCroce)
Alison Miller • Player One, Ready! • oil on canvas
President’s Award (Dr. Gregory DeCinque)
Melinda Watson • Red Pepper Flakes • photograph
Provost’s Award (Dr. Michelle Woodhouse, Portsmouth Campus)
Cynthia Jones • Drifter • engraving
Ruth Jones Judge’s Choice Award: Jessica Clampet • Childhood Encapsulated • oil on canvas
John and Karen Kise Award of Excellence for Graphic
Design (in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Mearl A. Kise): Armani Phoutasen • Battle Cry • video
Award of Excellence for Painting: Hope Drew • Tea Time • oil on canvas
Director’s Award of Excellence for Glass: Kevin Chigos-White • Blue Balance • glass
Michael R. Gluse Award of Excellence for Drawing (in memory of Barbara L. Gluse): Andrew Howald • Troubled Guy • charcoal, pastel
Ed Gibbs Award of Excellence for Photography: Monika Chuchro • Untitled • photograph
Shelley Brooks Award of Excellence for Sculpture: Suzanne Luna • Spring is in the Air • metal, PVC pipe
Darrell & Sally Craig Award of Excellence for Drawing: Cynthia Hymon • Zoe • scratchboard
The Coffee Shoppe & Chrysler Museum of Art
Award of Excellence in an Open Category: Rebecca Smith • 1200 XLC Carburetor • oil on panel
Lynne Hundley Award of Excellence for Mixed Media: Michaela Bly • Austin • mixed media
Vice President’s Award (Dr. Corey McCray): Grace Martin • Untitled • oil on panel
Provost’s Award (Dr. Michael Summers, Virginia Beach Campus): Melyssa Rolon-Hansen • Dew Drop • computer generated
Provost’s Award (Dr. James Edwards, Chesapeake Campus): Sharla Cotton • Bourdelou • clay
Provost’s Award (Dr. Emanuel Chestnut, Norfolk Campus): Andy McKay • Untitled • glass
Hartung Gallery Award for Color: Brandon Umberger • Blue City Alley • watercolor, soft pastel