Friday, January 15, 2010

The first Susan Keen Award recipient is ...

A button down white denim jacket with applique peacocks embroidered on the back and a peacock tail feather extending around to the front has won the first ever Susan Keen Award at the Manatee County Fair.

The award is named for Keen, a Palmetto resident who died recently after five years of service as director of arts and crafts at the fair.

The striking jacket and a T-shirt with the head of a peacock on it as part of the entry was created by machine embroidery artist Shiela Benedict, of Bradenton.

The award, which will be handed out annually, goes to the entry in the fair that demonstrates unparalleled creativity and uniqueness, said Dianna Baker, director of arts and crafts at the fair.

It's the only award in arts and crafts awarded by the arts and crafts committee, not other judges and it can be in any category, including culinary, fine arts, photography, needle and sewing arts or horticulture, Baker said.

"Shiela's work is colorful, stylish and beautifully done," Baker said.

Benedict's entry as Susan Keen Award winner will be displayed with the other Best in Show winners in the Arts and Crafts Hall during the fair, but the Keen Award gets a unique yellow ribbon, the only one given out, Baker said.

Benedict, who divides her time between Bradenton and Illinois, was excited when she learned of the honor Thursday night.

"I had never before entered anything in the fair until this year," she said.

Benedict entered 10 pieces in machine embroidery. They all can be seen at the fair.

-- Richard Dymond, Herald Staff Writer


OTHER WINNERS FROM ARTS & CRAFTS:

Best in Shows:

Youth Culinary: Kelly Johnson

Adult Culinary: Sherree Bowman

Youth Photography: Brooke Gore

Youth Art: Courtney Moody

Adult Photograph: Jim Dohms

Adult Art: Bill Darra

Youth Crafts: Victoria Douglas

Adult Crafts: Jeff Maxwell

Horticulture: Josephine Bu

Special Awards

Fish & Game Award: Cindy Clenney

Paul Bartley Award: Terry McKendree

Marie Able Awards:

Jeff Maxwell

Marie Gordon

Shirley Whitman

Celia Strickler

Krista Wells

No comments:

Post a Comment