Ceremony at the Arts and Activities Building on the museum grounds. 314 entries from 9 local schools were entered by an amazing group of art educators: Elk City, Kelton, TX, Hammon, Cheyenne, Fargo-Gage, Mooreland, Alva, Sayre, and Western Oklahoma Christian School, were represented. Several days before, our judge, Annie Mattox, of Elk City, had carefully examined each entry, checking for creativity, skill, age ability, and category compliance. Interestingly, Annie had participated in our Competition several years ago as a student at Hammon under the tutelage of teacher Thomas Dobbs, so is well acquainted with our standards and goals of awarding and encouraging worthy students.
On this 20th Award Day, some 170 eager students arrived by 10:00, ready to see their art on display with stars and ribbons, and of course, the envelopes holding their prize money. $25- First Place; $15- Second Place; $10- Third Place; $5- Honorable Mention. Out of all the first-place winners, one entry from the high school division and one from the junior high school is chosen as “Best of Show”. That coveted place earns $100. This year, the Jr. High Best of Show went to Zeke Harless, of Sayre, for his photograph. The High School Best of Show was won by Cadence Parker, of Alva, for her completely handmade felt cowboy hat.
Only one entry is allowed for each student. Because Augusta’s art depicts mostly 2 categories: landscapes, animals, and nature scenes, as well as pioneering way of life, our competition is based on those also. The students are then free tochoose between 10 different mediums to express their creations: Black and White Drawing, Color Drawing, Oil Painting, Mixed Media, Miscellaneous, Photography, Graphic Arts, Scratch Art, Sculpture, and Watercolor.
$2,340 in donations from local donors was distributed to these worthy students. The Metcalfe receives no federal or state funding so is dependent on the generosity of donors. Besides the Metcalfe Museum, local donors include Cheyenne Lumber and Steel, Alex Costea, Farmer’s Supply, The Hitchin’ Post, Janna Montgomery, Northfork Electric, Oklahoma Dity Community Foundation, Security State Bank, Smith Ag, Stephens Health Care Specialist, Steve and Vicki St.Clair, John and Megan Thomas, Jere and Patsy Wells, Western OK Alzheimers Collaborative, and York Insurance. Thank you so much for making this financially possible!
Morgan, the Metcalfe Museum Director, welcomed all to the event, andthen Vicki St. Clair, of the Board of Trustees, spoke, encouraging the students to seetheir gift of creating art in a little different way perhaps. A few artists become art teachers, and there were many there at the event. Fewer still make creating and selling their art a living. Gary Leddy, a local rancher, of Leedey, has been creating and selling his lovely sculptures and scenes of ranching in the early days for years. He had an art gallery in Taos for years; also sold his pieces out of the Galleria in Norman. Now he operates his gallery in Roll. Several pieces of his art were on display at the Award Ceremony, including a nice road runner. However, most artists use their art in unexpected ways. Barbara Hawkins, of Canadian, creates amazing quilts, Jason Kos, of Elk City, started an oilfield parts repair business with his partner, but unexpectedly, finds himself creating intricate, beautiful metal signage, as exhibited on the road coming into the Museum.
Vicki went on to describe another local artist who used her art in amazing versatility: solving a criminal case, influencing voters during a debate, decorating her home, illustrating for a book and magazine articles, corresponding with a relative overseas during WWII, making a game, capturing historical events, creating ads, sending gifts to famous people, making jewelry and greeting cards, tooling leather goods, and of course, selling her art. Can you guess who she is describing? Augusta Metcalfe! In closing her short talk, Vicki reiterated the importance of seeing your gift of creating art as a way to not only enrich your own life, but to reach out to enrich the lives of others in unexpected ways.
After the program, the students had an opportunity to collectively solve Augusta’s rebus letter she created for her son and his Army company when they were overseas during WWII. The men delighted in receiving her designed letters and interesting details of farm life depicted in her artwork on the letters and envelopes. The students enjoyed her unique way of “writing” an interesting account of her daily life on the farm. Some students then participated in a scavenger hunt, led by Steve St Clair, solving riddle clues to find the needed items. It was a bit difficult, but those students who enjoy such things had a great time. The other students participated in hiking across the red hills to the Washita River, led by Board Member, Patsy Wells. The Pioneer House was open for touring, led by Jere Wells, and the General Store tour was led by Tim Malson. The Gallery tour was led by Vicki St.Clair. Celebrating Augusta’s 143rd birthday, cake and lemonade was served by Lorie Malson and Judy Meyers. Morgan and Janna Montgomery ran the Gift Shop. All in all, it was a wonderful day for all the students, teachers, and volunteers.
I’m sure Augusta would have been pleased to see the students roam her beloved spot in the beautiful valley she called home. And to see the amazing talent our local students shared with us, expertly taught by gifted teachers. Please drop by Security State Bank to view the first place and Best of Show winners and Cheyenne Senior Citizens for the second, third, and honorable mentions to see and marvel for yourself!
