2011 Art Show Results

The Wilber Czech Festival Art Show was a huge success.  We had 47 different artists from 16 different communities and 4 states.  This was one of our biggest shows in recent history.  There were 146 pieces of art including photography, water color, chalk, acrylic, sculptures, clay, stained glass, wood carving, air brushing and mixed media. 
This year’s judge was Patty Forsberg, the wife and business partner of Michael Forsberg.  The Forsbergs run the Michael Forsberg Gallery in Lincoln. Michael was a photographer and writer for NEBRASKAland Magazine before starting his own photography business and gallery.  His work has appeared in numerous publications, has been recognized in various competitions, was a recipient of the North American Nature Photographer’s Association Mission Award, and has had one of his photos selected for an International Postage Stamp.  He is also the author of “On Ancient Wings – the Sandhill Cranes of North America” and “Great Plains – America’s Lingering Wild” with both books having nationwide traveling exhibitions. 
This year’s winners were:
2 Dimensional
            K-6 – Katelyn Holliday, “Dining Room”
            7-12 – Danielle Hall, “Rachael”
            Adult – Neal Crippen “Plzen”
3 Dimensional
            K-6 – None
            7-12 – Danielle Hall, “Alice”
            Adult – Myles Dymacek, “Black Hawk”
Photography
            K-6 – Tristan Smith, “Inquisitive Kitty”
            7-12 – Marissa Florian, “Winter Scene”
            Adult – Amanda Nohavec, “River Runs Through”
Honorable Mentions
            Hannah Ochs, “Stained Glass”
            Cassie Oliver, “Last Good Bye”
            Jordyn Cruise, “Rainbow Fish”
            Stacy Pospisil, “Bubble Gum”
            Taylor Tyser, “Evans Wolf”
            Deb Monfelt, “Old Grain Elevator in Evening Light”
            Haley Jensby, “Self Portrait”
            Rich Bohacek, “Texas Longhorn Helmet”
            Erna Beach, “Sassafras Man”
            Mike Waltke, “New World Order”
            Bridget Tranmer, “Best Friends”
Best of Show
            K-6 – Mitchell Kaminski, “Roman Soldiers in a Row”
            7-12 – Cassidy Olson, “Sunflower”
            Adult – Amber Roland, “Jody’s Canvas”
Best of Theme
            K-6 – Sidney Holliday, “Zahrada, Garden”
            7-12 – None
            Adult – Mark Bigaoette, “Marcy in Bohemia”
People's Choice
              Neal Crippen, "Plzen"
The Art Show is a success because these talented people are willing to share their art for all to see. 
 

2010 Art Show Results

The Wilber Czech Festival Art Show completes another successful year. There were 27 artists who submitted over 95 pieces of art.

Stacy Lutjemeyer, the art teacher for Dorchester Public School served as our judge. She had a tough job choosing from all of the great pieces we had on display.

The People's Choice Award is in it's second year and a huge success. With such great art, people had a hard time choosing which was their favorite. Our people's choice winner this year was Deb Monfelt of Beatrice, with her painting titled "Tornado Watch".

Other winners were:

Best of Show
K-6 Wendi Haufle, "Butterfly Fly"
7-12 Haley Jensby, "Self Portrait"
Adult Bruce Becher, "Two Roosters"

2 Dimensiaonal
K-6 Mitchell Kaminski, "Civil War Soldier"
7-12 Haley Jensby, "The Gift"
Adult Shawn Bartels "Ford Coupe"

3 Dimensional
K-6 No entry
7-12 Kerri Murphey, "The Gallant Knight"
Adult Erna Beach, "Moose Antler Bear"

Photography
K-6 Natalie Doering, "Lunch"
7-12 No entry
Adult Nicole Krivohlavek, "Unexpected Beauty"

Honorable Mentions
Bridget Tranmer, "Barbie"
Ashton Becher, "Beagles"
Stacy Pospisil, "Peacock Love"
Deb Monfelt, "The Gatekeeper"
Amy Marks, "Grant"
Eva Bartlett, "Weaving"
Adrienne Wells, "Sun Up to Sun Down"
Ross Scott, "Monarch Butterfly on Gayfeather"

Best of Theme
K-6 Wendi Haufle, "Party in the Parade"
7-12 Meg Cuca, "Czech Lion"
Adult Sasha Denton, "A Product of Bohemia's Past"

A Magnificent Art Show

Thank you to "ALL Participants"!

82 Artists contributed 145 pieces of art.

See with your eyes the concepts displayed in art. Open your mind while using your ears to listen. Strike up a conversation, a little different than usual. Reach out to one another. Learn some of the stories from the old culture.

We were blessed to have a young lady, Barbara Skulova from the Czech Republic, come into the American Legion building while setting up the art show. She had been told, there is a picture of her relative, Milan Dejml, who gave his life for our country. He received the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) from the President of the USA in 1943. The Wilber Louis Milan American Legion Post 101, added his name to the Wilber Legion’s name. We found his picture over the mantel. Barbara is searching for a relative who might have the Distinguished Service Cross.

Barbara looked over the pictures the W-C students made for the “Nose Art” Contest. Many of the art designs have Czech words and symbols. One picture, including the Czech Lion, has been chosen to be placed on the nose of a KC-135 Nebraska Air National Guard refueling airplane. That unveiling will be in Sept.

Many of the students used a drawing of the Czech Lion with the double tail. We asked Barbara about this Lion. She told the story of two (lions) joining together to help others instead of fighting each other.

Thanks to each of the students for your part in this venture!
How much did you learn? I learned a lot just by viewing your works of art and talking to Barbara! I wish I could visit with each of you about your design. Keep up your good work!

Results of 2009 Show:

Receiving red, white & blue ribbons
in this years new Theme Award for: Agriculture and Farming are,
Adult, John Knudtson of Grimes, Iowa with ‘Corn Stalks’;
7 – 12, Sarah Wollenburg of Beatrice, NE ‘Feeding Time’ (pigs);
and K-6, Lance Kelley of Danbury, NE ‘Ready for Harvest’ (wheat photography).

Purple, Best of Show winners are:
Adult, Mark Bigaouette of St. Paul, MN ’Moravian Wedding Kroj’;
7-12, Holly Wolfe of Danbury, NE ‘Small Town Church;
and K-6 Lance Kelley of Danbury, NE ‘Ready for Harvest’ (wheat).

K-6 winners in 3 categories:
Best of 2 Dimensional, Ashton Becher of Hickman, NE ‘Raptor’.
Best Photography, Natalie Doering of Beatrice, Ne ‘Butterfly Buffet’. (zinnias).

7-12 winners in 3 categories:
Best of 2 Dimensional, Miranda Hernandez of Wilber, Ne, ‘Tink Relaxing & Blue Stars’ ;
Best 3 Dimensional, Stacy Pospisil of Hallam, NE ‘Dance with a Hard Hat’
(stepping stone).
Best of Photography, Megan Kelley of DanBury, NE ‘Reflections of Lance’.
Honorable Mention, Trevon Cerveny of Wilber, NE ‘Mallard’, (stained glass).

Adult winners:
Best 2 Dimensional, Bruce Becher of Hickman, NE ‘To The Creek’ (turkeys seeking cover.)
Best 3 Dimensional, Lucky Stradley of Hubbell, NE ‘Elijah’ (paper mache).
Best Photography, Robert Muckel of Crete, NE ‘Dorchester Sunrise’.
Best Conte’/Pastel, Gina Albert of Wilber, NE ‘Cinderella’.
Best Sculpture, Erna Beach of Beatrice, NE ‘Sky Digs’.
Best Wheel Thrown Pottery, Bruce Becher of Hickman, NE ‘Jar’.

Honorable Mention Ribbons for:
Kathy Zeman Morris of Edmond, Oklahoma, ‘Ties of the Past ‘ (watercolor painting).
Eva Bartlett of Beatrice, NE ‘Siesmic Vibrations’(weaving).
Carol Kelley of Danbury, NE ‘Sunset over the Fields’(photography)

Thanks for all the visitors who enjoyed the show and voted for the various artists.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDED to: Bruce Becher for his ‘To The Creek’ painting of (turkeys).

We appreciate Echo Easton judging our Show. Several people commented, "I agree with the ribbon choices!"

And the American Legion Louis Milan Post 101 for providing their downtown building for the Wilber Czech Festival Art Show again this year.

Erma Sebek