Community Interest
Augusta Plein Air Art Festival Final Sale and Awards in Town Square
The Final Sale and Awards ceremony for the 2021 Augusta Plein Air Art Festival was Saturday, May 1. The sale had a whole new look and feel this year, as artists set up booths along streets around the town square where there was a live jazz band, food, drinks and kids’ activities.
Over 120 artists from 16 states participated this year; 25 of those for the first time. Hundreds of paintings were created and 240 were sold during the 10-day festival. Included in those sold were 19 $500 purchase awards from the various sponsored venues/special events. On Saturday, there were 24 final awards presented, including Best of Show, Artists’ Choice, and People’s Choice, plus 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mentions in 5 categories: Mixed Media, Watercolor, Pastel, Acrylic and Oil. Judges for the final sale were artists Bryan Haynes, Lisa Ober and Shawn Cornell.
Artist John Whytock from Springfield, MO headlined the day, winning all three top awards.
The painting "Under the Umbrella" by Artist John Whytock (right) was the winner
of all three top awards: Best of Show, Artists' Choice and People's Choice. He is
pictured here with David Hoffmann, Best of Show Sponsor - Hoffman Family of Companies.
Oil Winners (L-R): Honorable Mention "April Hues" by Gino Santa Maria,
3rd place "Femme Osage Creek" by Thomas Buchs, 1st place "Knoernschild Vineyards"
by Anne Molesky, 2nd place "Big Blue" by Zak Barnes,
Hon. Men. "Morning Magic" by Caroline Goldsmith.
Acrylic Winners (L-R): 2nd place "Morning in Femme Osage" by Spencer Meagher
(held by Lynn Buchheit), 2nd place "Midday Gloria" by Farley Lewis,
1st place "Under the Umbrella" and 3rd place "Quarry Waterfall" both by John Whytock.
Pastel Winners (L-R): 3rd place "Vines on the Tree" by Jell Tichenon
(held by Brent O'Connor), Honorable Mention "Balducci Looking West" by Allison Laupp,
1st place "Spring Staccato" and 2nd place "Augusta Vines" both by Michele Wells.
Water Color Winners (L-R): Hon. Men. "Lonely Light" by Carlos Maldonado,
3rd place "Barn at Augusta" by Gary Beazley, 1st Place "A Great View" by Larry Siwek
(held by Jamie Green), 2nd place "New Melle Center Piece" by Alicia Farris.
Mixed Media Winners (L-R): Hon. Men. "Sunflower Hill from the Creek" by Tammie Dickerson,
1st place "Vista of Vines & Vultures" and 2nd place "Cherry Picking" both by Troy Tatlock,
and 3rd place "Violet Femme" by Alex Hamil.
Chairperson, Lynn Buckhheit, thanked everyone involved in the event. She gave a very special thank you to the sponsors, advertisers and venue hosts, the judges, committee members, other volunteers, and all who purchased art. Committee members/volunteers included: Cindy Kedrosky (co-chair), Jo Milster, Ann Struckhoff, Kate Aufderheide, Vicki Gwynn and granddaughter Leah Baker, Jessica O’Connor, Debbie Schafer, Corrine Post, Ranko Radoman, Kim Jumper, Kathleen Turner. Buchheit said, “The committee members were amazing, but many others volunteered to help and we appreciate all who donated their time and talent to make this happen.”
Buchheit also thanked the Tim Kampen Jazz Expedition who played Saturday afternoon for tips only, Ebenezer Church for providing a pancake breakfast for the artists Saturday morning and others who provided food for the artists through the week, Erin Leigh Photography, the Hoffman Family of Companies for trolley service, Missouri River Country for sponsoring the Youth Art Experience, the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce, and all the vendors who provided food and drink on Saturday. Vendor booths included all five Augusta AVA wineries (Mount Pleasant, Montelle, Augusta Wine Co., Balducci and Noboleis) plus Good News Brewery, John G’s Taproom, Root, Food + Wine, Kopp Farm to Table Beef, The Augusta PTO and Boy Scouts.
Buchheit concluded, “Thank you all for coming, and please join us again next year.”
Zoë and Cole Auiler Painting at the Kids Art Experience tent,
which was sponsored by Missouri River Country.
which was sponsored by Missouri River Country.
Tim Kampen's Jazz Expedition
(L-R: Kayleigh Moyer, Tim Kampen, Marc Payne and Kyle Pudenz) played wonderful
jazz music throughout the afternoon - donating their time in exchange for tips.
Artists booths.
Artists booths.
Artists booths.
Artists booths.
Some of the art for sale.
Some of the art for sale.
Some of the art for sale.
Enjoying the afternoon in the Town Square.
Augusta Elementary PTO volunteers and Boy Scouts
provided delicious food and refreshments.
