The Annual Augusta Metcalfe Art Competition was held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Break O’ Day Farm & Metcalfe Museum. In total, there were 442 entries from 9 schools. There were 103 winning entries and $1,810 was given as award money. This competition began in 2004 and each year the entries get better and better. There is an exceptionally talented group of young artists in our area and some great instructors who helped their students develop their artistic skills.
The competition is held because Augusta Metcalfe’s, our “Memory Artist,” vision was to not only share her art with the world, but to also help others learn how to construct their own art masterpiece. This was something she was passionate about. There is surviving correspondence from Augusta to her friends inviting them to come take lessons from her. We now carry this vision to fruition through activities that take place at the museum such as the art competition, Summer Art Camp, art scholarships, and opportunities for adult art activities.
Entries were judged by Annie Mattox, a Western Oklahoma native. She participated in the art competition from 2008-2012. She encourages artists both young and old each week in her Elk City Studio where she teaches adult pottery classes, private lessons and leads an after-school program with an emphasis on ceramics.
Entries are required to be matted and placed in one of two categories: pioneer life or flora and fauna. Pieces that are titled have an enhanced presentation and is strongly encouraged. Each piece of winning art receives a certificate, a ribbon and prize money. Those are provided by President of the Board, Janna Montgomery. Prize money is generously donated from our community sponsors. Awards are given for first, second, third place, honorable mention, and best of show for both junior high and high school. This year’s Best of Show Junior High went to Lizzy Moore, Sayre, for her Back and White Drawing “Curiosity.” Best of Show High School went to Zea Miller, Sayre, for her miscellaneous contribution “The Hive.”
Awards were presented by Vick St. Clair, board secretary, who also coordinates the entire competition. Janna Montgomery and Jere’ Wells, board Vice-President, assisted Vicki with the awards presentation. The Awards Ceremony is a time of continued education for students as the judge supplies pointers for improving their art. Each year a different Art Instructor shares their insights regarding preparing an art entry. This year’s speaker was Dana Day, Sayre Art Instructor. Dana has her elementary students answer questions about their entry to teach them ways to improve their entry and become more skilled in their communication about it. The high school students write an artistic paragraph to place on the back side of their art entry.
After the ceremony, additional activities are offered for the students’ participation; Impromptu Drawing Contest, tours around the museum grounds, lunch and cake in memory of Augusta’s 142nd birthday, and a game if time permits. For the impromptu drawing, the judge suggests a topic and students have a time limit to construct a black and white drawing. At 1:30 all the entries are judged, and winners are chosen for junior high and high school. The Junior High award was given to Stella Johnson, an eighth grader from Sayre who drew a collage of fall items found on the Metcalfe ground. The High School award went to Emily Eilers, a tenth grader from Mooreland, who drew a life like picture of a pioneer. Tours through the Metcalfe Home, the pioneer house and the general store were led by Jere’. I led the students on the trail to Mary Corson’s, Augusta’s mom, grave. It is a beautiful hike up the red hills of Break O’ Day Farm, especially in fall. Cake was served by Steve and Vicki St. Clair. Steve is also our photographer and makes the Awards Ceremony programs in addition to helping Vicki coordinate.
It takes a village to put on our art competition and Vicki and the board members put in countless hours to make it a memorable day. Entries must be submitted by deadline, everything must be sorted and categorized, winning pieces must be recorded for distribution of certificates and ribbons, then everything must be displayed for the award day. Those helping with this were Vicki and Steve St. Clair, Ann Merritt, Morgan Wells museum director, Jere’ and Patsy Wells, and Janna Montgomery. Gary Leddy, renowned resident artist on the museum board, came Awards Day to lend his support. Liz Sadler, museum director substitute, helped us Awards Day too. The Metcalfe Board would like to thank our sponsors and all school faculty. The prize money puts a smile on students’ faces and encourages them to continue to increase their art ability. Without the schools, this competition would not be possible.
