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
Friday, January 15, 2010
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