Youth Category Winners

Pioneer Federal Credit Union and the Magic Valley Mall sponsored the 8^th Annual Youth Category. All student-entries were showcased at the Magic Valley Mall. Chosen by public vote, the winners are:  

Elementary Grades K-2 Division – Honorable Mention and recipient of $25: Quinn McKee, Xavier Charter School; 3^RD Place winner and recipient of $50: Loinel Sojka, Morningside Elementary School; 2^ND Place winner and recipient of $75: Quincy Godfrey, Homeschool; and 1^ST Place winner and recipient of $100: Evelyn Fluckiger, Homeschool. 

Elementary Grades 3-5 Division – Honorable Mention and recipient of $25: Daniel Fluckiger, Homeschool; 3^RD Place winner and recipient of $50: Dakota Bennett, Harrison Elementary School; 2^ND Place winner and recipient of $100: Scout Heatwole, Stricker Elementary School; and 1^ST Place winner and recipient of $200: Brody Higley, Popplewell Elementary School 

Middle School Division – Honorable Mention and recipient of $25: Cameron Hilverda, Xavier Charter School; 3^RD Place winner and recipient of $75: Nolan Godfrey, Homeschool; 2^ND Place winner and recipient of $150: Mylee Reid, Kimberly Middle School; and 1^ST Place winner and recipient of $300: Bailey Robison, Kimberly Middle School.

High School Division – Honorable Mention and recipient of $25: Eliza Lee, Homeschool; 3^RD Place winner and recipient of $75: Vanessa Pires, Wendell High School; 2^ND Place winner and recipient of $150: Hannah Aguirre, Twin Falls High School; and tied for 1^ST Place winner and recipients of $300: Reece Garey, Kimberly High School and Gage Carter, Kimberly High School.  

Artists entered in the main contest were invited to enter the Professionally Judged Competition. The judge was Stephanie Werntz. Stephanie currently runs two Art in Medicine programs in Boise, Idaho. One is hospital based at Saint Alphonsus Hospital, and the other is community based at the Treasure Valley YMCA, for people living with cancer or neurological disorders. Both programs are patterned after The Creative Center at University Settlement in New York City, and embrace their philosophy of, “Medicine cures the body, but ART heals the spirit!” Her workshops include any medium she can make work, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, fiber arts, jewelry making, glass fusing, etc.   

In the Professionally Judged Two-Dimensional Category, recognized with the Honorable Mention award: Hailey, ID artist Christopher Brown for his 4’ x 5’ drawing entry titled As Winter Fades. The award for 1^st Place in the Two-Dimensional Division and $1,000 was given to Boise, ID artist Marne Elmore, for her 42” x 100” printmaking entry titled Sturgeon. 

In the Three-Dimensional Category, the judges recognized two entries with the Honorable Mention award the judges recognized Twin Falls, ID artist Jim Woods for his 18” x 9” ceramic entry titled Salmon Frenzy. The award for 1^st Place in the Three-Dimensional Division and $1,000 was given to Boise, Idaho artist Michael Cordell for his 10’ x 20’ untitled sculpture. 

New categories added to the 11^th annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley were Original Art Quilt, Pastel and Mural. The contest rules accommodate for low entry in categories. The rules stipulate that a $1,000 prize would be awarded if ten or more artists entered that category. Categories with at least five entries were awarded $500. Nine of the 18 categories fell below the 10-entry requirement to receive $1,000. Those nine category winners will receive $500. The category Sculpture, 3ft and under did not have the minimum number of entries to receive a prize.  

Winners in each category are: 

ACRYLIC: Honorable Mention was awarded to Selena Garcia, Bliss, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – ACRYLIC – Rick Kuhn, Twin Falls, ID. 

CERAMIC: Honorable Mention was awarded to Mayumi Kiefer, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – CERAMICS – Jim Woods, Twin Falls, ID. 

DIGITAL: Honorable Mention was awarded to Cindy Churchman, Jerome, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – DIGITAL – Ron Yates, Twin Falls, ID. 

DRAWING: Honorable Mention was awarded to Judy VanDellen, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – DRAWING – Kathy Lily Field, Buhl, ID. 

FIBER: Honorable Mention was awarded to Trisha Chubbs, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – FIBER – Roseanne Anderson, Cheney, WA. 

GLASS: Honorable Mention was awarded to Sandy Swope, Twin Falls; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – GLASS – Shahab Fakhr, Twin Falls, ID. 

MIXED MEDIA: Honorable Mention was awarded to Shena Bingham, Buhl, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – MIXED MEDIA – Connie Wood, Hagerman, ID. 

MURAL: Honorable Mention was awarded to Lydia Hernandez, Boise, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – MURAL – Jason Hicks, Twin Falls, ID. 

ORIGINAL ART QUILT: Honorable Mention was awarded to Julie Stadtherr, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – ORIGINAL ART QUILT – Carmen Sidlaruk, Twin Falls, ID. 

OIL: Honorable Mention was awarded to Leon Smith, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – OIL – Virgia West, Mountain Home, ID. 

PASTEL: Honorable Mention was awarded to Ron Hicks, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – PASTEL – Jill Storey, Boise, ID. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Honorable Mention was awarded to Marta Moyle, Heyburn, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – PHOTOGRAPHY – Jerry Dodds, Twin Falls, ID. 

PRINTMAKING: Honorable Mention was awarded to Angela Batchelor, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – PRINTMAKING – Laurel Macdonald, Boise, ID. 

QUILT: Honorable Mention was awarded to Robin Schenk, Twin Falls ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – QUILT – Cynthia England, Dickinson, TX. 

SCULPTURE, OVER 3 FEET: Honorable Mention was awarded to Michael Cordell, Boise, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – SCULPTURE, OVER 3 FEET– Khiyam Zahroun, Twin Falls, ID. 

WATERMEDIA: Honorable Mention was awarded to Leslie Lambert, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – WATERMEDIA – Connie Pepper, Twin Falls, ID. 

WEARABLE: Honorable Mention was awarded to Mike Metzler, Twin Falls, ID; and recipient of $500 for BEST IN SHOW – WEARABLE – Paula Brown Sinclair, Twin Falls, ID. 

WOODWORK: Honorable Mention was awarded to Robert Jackman, Filer, ID; and recipient of $1,000 for BEST IN SHOW – WOODWORK – Rickey Highland, Twin Falls, ID. 

People’s Choice Venue Award for Venue

From the 97 Venue locations, the public voted for their two favorite Venues. The People’s Choice Venue Award for Venue – 2 or Fewer Artists was St. Vincent de Paul. The award for People’s Choice Venue – 3 or More Artists was Premier Autogroup, who showcased 22 artists. 

There was a tie for the Art & Soul 4^th Place award. Winners and recipients of $750 each – Christopher Brown, Hailey, ID, who was sponsored by Jason and Nikki Halverson and showcased at Middlekauff Ford; and Jeffro Uitto, from Tokeland, WA and was sponsored by Kim and Buck Syth. His 75” x 46” sculpture entry is titled Saddle Seat Bust. His venue was Webb Landscape. 

Sponsored by Fran and Al Frost, the Art & Soul 3^rd Place winner and recipient of $3,000 – Kay Taylor Affleck, from Paul, ID, for her 23” x 31” pastel entry titled Molly. Her venue was Premier Autogroup. 

Sponsored by Mason Taylor Art, the Art & Soul 2nd Place winner and recipient of $6,000 is Mason Taylor, from Kimberly, ID, for his 4’ x 8’ sculpture title Leo. His venue was Koto Brewing Co. 

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

The 11^th Annual Art & Soul of the Magic Valley Grand Prize winner and recipient of $12,000 is Twin Falls, ID artist Floyd Drown, for his 18” x 36” oil painting entry titled Misty Crossing. His sponsor was Judy and Mike Youngman and his was Premier Autogroup. 

The contribution of Art & Soul of the Magic Valley to our community and to artists from 38 Idaho cities, 11 states and multiple other countries is only possible with financial investment by our supporters. We would like to recognize the businesses, individuals and organizations help make this amazing city-wide arts appreciation event/art contest a reality. You truly are our heroes!

Major Supporter:

Art Guild of the Magic Valley, City of Twin Falls, College of Southern Idaho, Colliers International, Allan & Fran Frost, Art & Bonnie Hoag, Idaho Central Credit Union, Idaho Commission on the Arts, KMVT, Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Twin Falls, Lee Family Broadcasting, Magic Valley Mall, Middlekauff Auto Group, Pioneer Federal Credit Union, Premier Autogroup, Bob & Linda Sojka, and Times-News/Magic Valley Media.

2021 Art & Soul of the Magic Valley Committee Members:

Tireless hours have been spent bringing this event together. We’d like to express a heartfelt thank you to: Art & Bonnie Hoag (Founders), Nikki Halverson (Chairperson), Winnie Christenson, Marcia Penney, Bob & Linda Sojka, Judy VanDellen, and Pegan Venzon-Cook, along with the many volunteers who see the vision of the contest and assist with the numerous tasks. Magic Valley Arts Council staff Melissa Crane & Mel Cortes.

Sponsors and Venues:

4 Roots Juice Bar & Café; Alexander Dental Group CHTD; Altered Purposes; Ann’s Eyewear Boutique; Apricot Home; Arlene’s Bookkeeping; Ashley HomeStore; Ataraxis Accounting & Advisory Services Chtd.; AWOL Adventure Sports; B & B Cattle; Barbara Kunkle; Blaze Pizza; Bob & Linda Sojka; Bob & Marcia Penney; Body Balance Physical Therapy; BSR Equipment; Buck & Kim Syth; Bull Moose Bicycles; C. Loren Butler; Canyon Crest Eye      Physicians; Canyon Floral; Carolyn White; Charlie & Melody Lenkner; Chick-fil-A; City of Twin Falls; Claude Brown’s; Clearwater Dentistry; College of Southern Idaho; Colliers International; Columbia Bank; Connections Credit Union; Connie Herbert, Cherbert’s Imagery; CPR – The Center for Physical Rehabilitation; Crane Family; Crozier Coachworks, Body, Paint and Glass; Crystals EnLight; CSDI Construction, Inc.; CSI Ceramics Classmate; Culture For Change Foundation; Curtis & Mardo Eaton; D.L. Evans Bank; Damiana Uberuaga; Danny & Stephanie Carraher; David & Carolyn Erickson; David LaMure, Jr.; Debbi Burr; Debra Matthews; Dennis & Lisa Burgett;    Dennis Bowyer; Depot Grill; Deseret Book; Di & Dave Strong; Donald & Bonnie Pica; Doug & Shauna Wickham; Drs. Jason & Nikki Halverson; Dunkley Music; Earl Gilmartin; Elevation 486; Fairfield by Marriott Twin Falls; Five Fish Press; Float Magic; Floyd Lilly Company; Fox Floral; Fran & Allan Frost; Frontier Pediatric Partners; Full Steam Espresso; Garden of Artists; GLC Products, Inc.; Great Harvest Bread Co.; Habitat for Humanity ReStore; Hands On; Herrett Center for Arts & Science; Hilber & Pam Nelson; Hillary & Mark Crandall; Hilton Garden Inn; Howa Design, Inc.; Huberta Phipps; Hudson’s Shoes; Hugabug Childcare; Idaho Central Credit Union; Idaho Joe’s; Jakers Bar & Grill; Jane Bennett Munro; Jeff Reinke – Farmer’s Insurance; Jennifer & Matt Keuhn; Jensen Ringmakers & Gallery; Jerry & Linda Auger; Jim & Carla Harris; Joel Cortes – Casa Verde Construction; Josh & Kendra Wilmot – Ardor Custom Designs, LLC; Judi Baxter; Kidd Performance & Dyno/Valley; Kimberly Nurseries; Kiwi Loco; KMVT; Koto Brewing Co.; Kurts Pharmacy; Leonard & Alice Anderson; Lisa Gibson; Lisa Major; Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Twin Falls; Long Legacy Chiropractic; Magic Valley Insurance; Magic Valley Mall; Main St. Plaza; Marge Nessa; Marti Ambrose; Mary Ann Gilmore; Mason Taylor Art; McMillen Group; Middlekauff Auto Group; Mike & Alice Trabert; Mike & Jan McBride; Mike & Judy Youngman; Mike Pepper; Mills Family; Milner’s Gate; Moyle Mink and Tannery; Natalie & Jeremey Powell; Nielson Family Chiropractic; North Canyon Orthopedics; O’Dunkens Draught House; Onyx Medspa and Laser Clinic; OrthoPro of Twin Falls; P A Melnyk; Patrick Storey; Pegan Venzon-Cook; Perrine Man Press; Phil & Linda Brugger; Pioneer Federal Credit Union; Plant Therapy; Premier Autogroup;     Progressive Publishing; Pure Legacy Salon; R. Michael Burr, CPA; Rex & Cheryl Leforgee; Rob Green Buick GMC; Robert Jackman; Robertson & Slette, PLLC; Rock Creek Celebration Center; Rudy’s-A Cook’s Paradise; Rya Levy & Bruce Kaufman; Saks Thrift Ave – Step Forward Ministries, Inc.; Sav Mor Drug; Sawtooth Dental; Scholes Dermatology; Shea McClellin; Tom & Denise Carter; Sips N Sweet Treats; Snipz Salon; Sonnie & Ray Strolberg; Southern Idaho Ophthalmology; St. Vincent de Paul; Steven Kohtz, MD; Stone House & Co./Catering by Karen; Susan & Deck Waters; Susan’s Antiques & Collectibles; Suzanne McCampbell; Sweet T’s Cupcakery; Taylor Farm – Filer, ID; Terrific Marketing LLC; The Beach Tanning Co.; The Brass Monkey; The Orpheum Theater; ToyTown;   Tricia Friedrich; Twin Beans Coffee Co.; Twin Falls City Hall; Twin Falls Sandwich Co.; Twin Falls Sewing Center; Twin Falls Subaru; Twin Falls Volkswagen; Tyler Newton Axia Home Loans; Veronica Xander; Wabi Sabi Gallery; WaFd Bank; Ward Orthodontics; WarmArt Tattoo & BodyPiercing; Webb Landscape; Whiskey Bent Trading Co.; Wills Toyota; and Windsor’s Nursery.