Camden artist wins Best of Show in Selma Art Guild’s Juried Summer Exhibition

“I paint for the love of painting and hope that what I create brings joy to those who view my work,” said Marilyn Ammons of Camden who took Best of Show honors and a $500 cash prize for her Dry art piece “Evening on the Alabama” in the Selma Art Guild’s (SAG) Juried Summer Exhibition held Sunday, June 26.

The event was held at the SAG Gallery located at 508 Selma Ave.

Ammons said, “I am so pleased and surprised to win Best of Show in the Selma Art Guild Juried Show. We live on the Alabama River at Canton Bend, the inspiration for my painting. My favorite times of the day are sunrise and sunset over the water. I’m so fortunate to be able to see such beauty every day.”

She described her piece as an acrylic mixed media painting over a collage background.

SAG President Cam Walker Guarino said of Sunday’s event, “I am pleased with the quality and diversity of the art in this year’s SAG Juried Summer Show. And I am pleased that artists from Selma and Central Alabama were represented.”

Winners announced Sunday were: Best of Show, Marilyn Ammons, “Evening on the Alabama;” Dry, Edward Brummel, “Rainscape Reflections” best, Jennifer Levins, “Nightlife” second and Karen Weir, “Wisteria Walk” third; Transparent, Karen Weir, “Glowing Anemone” best, Jackie Lord, “Dark to Light” second and Shirley Baird, “Wishing Pond” third; Opaque, Cam Walker Guarino, “Sunflower Field” best, Jennifer Levins, “Happy Days Ahead” second and Sarita Gish, “The Welder” third; Photography, Karen Weir, “It’s Better Out There” best, Libby Christensen, “Wetumpka Mist on the Coosa” third; 3D, Peggy Raines, “Blue Jeans and Lace” best, Sarita Gish, “Handknitted Coat With Clay Buttons” second and Libby Christensen, “Check Out My Purple Heart” third.

Guarino said 17 artists entered 45 pieces of art in the show. And she said the artists represented Dallas, Wilcox, Elmore, Autauga, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa counties.

All the artist in the show included Shirley Baird, Dr. David Hodo, Trish Gober, Libby Christensen, Gena Clements, Jackie Lord, Marilyn Ammons, Karen Weir, Sandy Greene, Elizabeth Huynh, Theresa Martin Taylor, Jennifer Levins, Sarita Gish, Peggy Raines, Ed Brummel, Kay Brummel and Guarino.

Awards were $500 for Best of Show, $200 for Best in Category, $100 for Second in Category and $50 for Third in Category. Categories include transparent, opaque, photography, 3-D and dry.

Artist Sandra Hicks Larson juried this year’s exhibition. She is a graduate of Troy University with a BS in art and received her master’s in Art Education from Troy. She also studied for many years at The Schuler School of Fine Arts.

Larson taught classes at The Armory Learning Arts Center in Montgomery and at Lurlene B. Wallace Community College

and previously served as Montgomery Art Guild president and as a gallery director at Stonehenge in Montgomery.

She also served as judge and coordinator of judges for the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) for almost 25 years.

Guarino said the Juried Summer Show will remain up for view and purchases through the month of August. The SAG Gallery is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Selma Art Guild was started in the 1970s by local artists to promote art and provide opportunities for artists.