Big Bend Texas Galleries & Artists 2017 | Page 13

GG_2017_pg012-013.qxp_Layout 1 11/1/16 3:54 PM Page 2 2016 Alpine, TX PHOTO CONTEST Participants were asked to capture the city of Alpine, Texas (and/or its surroundings) in a personal, reflective way to reveal the personality of the town through their eyes. The city itself has a rich history, a variety of architectural and natural landmarks and scenic views of all types and sizes. Through the artist’s own lens and outlook, Alpine’s persona will bloom with high-quality, inspired and surprising imagery. Prizes are the H.L. Kokernot, Jr. Memori al Award, $500, named in honor of the creator of the remarkable Kokernot Field, home of the Alpine Cowboys baseball team; the H enr y Charles Trost Memo ri al Aw ard, $100, named in honor of the principal designer for Trost & Trost, architects of the historic Holland Hotel and many other signature buildings throughout the region; the Twin Sisters Award, $50; the Hancock Hill Award, $50; and the “A” Mountain Award, $50. This year’s contest judge was Terlingua artist, Crystal Allbright. Handed a Kodak Instamatic at an early age, she has been looking through viewfinders and pushing shutter releases ever since. Her passion for photography became firmly rooted through studies at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. After a move to West Texas in 1990, she continued her 4 studies and worked for the media department at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. For more information about the contest and the judge go to www.visitalpinetx.com. WINNERS: 1) H.L. Kokernot, Jr. Memorial Award ($500) Santiago Salomon - “Alone in the Storm” Alpine is surrounded by wide expanses of untouched beauty. Your eye can wander all over this landscape returning to rest on the central tree. I love the gradient of colors from the yellow-green grass, to the dark strip of the storm, to the expansive clouds opening to a touch of blue sky. 2) Henry Charles Trost Memorial Award ($100) Angie Randolph - “Endless Highway” This image expresses a lovely, dreamy mood of openness. It exemplifies many of the roads leading to Alpine. The rain-drenched windshield is an effective filter, especially with the sharper white line leading us to the hazy mountains. 3) Twin Sisters Award ($50) Heather Handley - “Playing after an Afternoon Rain Shower” This image is timeless in its color, composition, and theme. This could be Alpine in 1976 or 2016. I was attracted to the soft light on the skin, the patterns of puddles, and the diagonal line taking you into the distant horizontal lines. 4) Hancock Hill Award ($50) John Davis - “Birdy Homes” The classic, rich tonal range in this image was the first thing I noticed. I like the echo of diagonals and circles that lead you from the houses to the details on the back shelf. It documents the art in Alpine where many artists use old things to create new and useful items. 5) “A” Mountain Award ($50) Charity Peña - “Our Lady of Peace” A creative look at a gorgeous rock church in Alpine. The complement of purple and yellow along with the dramatic lines of pointed archs and angles makes this image pop for me.  3 5 BIG BEND GALLERIES AND ARTISTS / 2017 13