By Kim McDarison
Some 40 event-goers arrived Friday evening at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center to attend a closing reception for “Hallow’s Gala,” an art exhibition featuring Halloween-themed art, which will remain available for in-person viewing through Sunday.
The exhibition will soon be made available for virtual viewing on the Whitewater Arts Alliance website and will include three exclusive virtual-only pieces. The virtual show can be viewed throughout the month of November, here: https://www.whitewaterarts.org/hallows-gala-2022.
Friday’s holiday-themed reception was complete with treats and live music.
During the reception, contest winners sporting “best costumes” were chosen and announced in two categories — child and adult — and art works from within the in-person exhibition were chosen in the categories of honorable mention, “Viewer’s Choice” and “Best of Show.”
Along with ribbons and certificates, cash prizes were awarded, including “Best Adult Costume,” $75, and “Best Kid Costume,” open to children 12 and under, $25. Cash prizes for artists included “Best of Show,” $150, and “Viewer’s Choice, $50.
Winners are as follow: receiving honorable mentions in the best adult costume contest were Alfredo Balmaseda and Heidi Mane, both of Whitewater. Prizes for the best adult costume were awarded to Jenny Brady, Whitewater, who was dressed as the character “Pennywise.” Prizes for best kid’s costume were awarded to Melody Smith, Whitewater, who was dressed as a “surfer dude.”
Several artists received recognition, including four who were awarded “honorable mention” ribbons. They were: Katy Wimer for her piece titled: “Skull Lady No. 2,” Emerson Reese, for his piece titled: “Lingering,” Katrina Renee Bowman for her piece titled: “Drake Tea,” and Taylor Leikness for her piece titled: “Trick or Treating Witch Snail.”
The Viewer’s Choice award went to Bridget Coulter for her piece titled: “Familiars,” and Best of Show was awarded to Anna Curtis for her piece titled: “O Beng.”
Many in attendance were artists whose work was on display. Others arrived for the costume contest, to view the art and mingle while enjoying holiday-themed treats.
The event was sponsored by the Whitewater Arts Alliance and co-chaired by Taylor McDarison, Waukesha, and Nicole Holder, Whitewater. Both are former Whitewater Arts Alliance gallery managers.
Music was provided by Lucky Vita and Bri Fitzgerald, each of whom perform using the stage names “7ucky Vita,” and “Rairie,” respectively. Both are from Madison.
About the exhibition
Both 2D and 3D works submitted by 19 artists remain available for viewing in the virtual show. Works vary in mediums, and include pencil, ink, acrylic, ceramic, photography, mixed media and unique materials like coffee, abalone shells, and video format, among others. In all, there are 58 pieces in the show.
The Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 West Main St., is open Thursdays through Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
Pictures from Friday’s event follow.
Allen and Sue Herring, Milton, arrive in costume. Sue’s work is among pieces featured in the show.
Arriving in costume and signing in are husband and wife Justin and Heidi Mane. Justin, who is an art teacher at Washington Elementary School in Whitewater, is among artists with work on display in the Hallow’s Gala exhibition.
Coulter family members Chris, from left, Chuck, Danielle, Bennett, Bridget, Colleen Chase, and Aria arrive at the Hallow’s Gala reception. Bridget’s work is among pieces featured in the exhibition. The family is from Whitewater.
Logan Dammer, 8, Whitewater, points to his favorite piece in the show.
Madison-based musical performers “7ucky Vita,” at left, and “Rairie,” check equipment in advance of the Hallow’s Gala event.
Bennett Coulter 6, seated, at right, and his mother, Danielle, watch spooky video shorts produced by Ashley McDarison, Nick Themar and Kyle Thurow, all graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Jenny Brady, Whitewater, is dressed as the character “Pennywise.” She also is the model in pieces included in the show and produced by photographer Katy Wimer, Whitewater.
Dressed in an assortment of costumes are family members Melody Smith, 12, from left, Theresa Smith, Joey Harnack, 8, Raegan Harnack, 14, Murphy Harnack, 4, Jeremy Harnack, and Eric Smith, 10. Several of the youngsters participated in the costume contest. Family members are from Whitewater and Janesville.
Seated behind the docent’s desk at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, Whitewater Arts Alliance Manager Ashe McDarison helps guests and distributes wristbands, among other event-related tasks.
Winners of the costume contest in the adult category are Alfredo Balmaseda, dressed as “the Joker” and receiving an honorable mention, from left, Jenny Brady, dressed as the Steven King-created character “Pennywise” and receiving best costume, and Heidi Mane, dressed as “the Wicked Witch” and receiving an honorable mention. The winners are from Whitewater.
The winner of the costume contest in the kids’ category is Melody Smith, 12, Whitewater, at left, dressed as a “surfer dude.” She competed against Logan Dammer, 8, Whitewater, pictured center, and Eric Smith, 10, also from Whitewater.
Flanked by Hallow’s Gala co-chairs Nicole Holder, at left, and Taylor McDarison, Anna Curtis is presented with the Best of Show award for her piece titled:“O Beng”
“O Beng” by Anna Curtis is awarded Best of Show.
Bridget Coulter at left, is presented with the Viewer’s Choice award for her piece titled: “Familiars.” The certificate is presented by event co-chair Nicole Holder.
“Familiars” by Bridget Coulter is awarded Viewers Choice.
Katy Wimer, at left, receives an honorable mention for her piece titled: “Skull Lady No. 2.” The award is presented by event co-chair Taylor McDarison.
“Skull Lady No. 2,” by Katy Wimer is awarded honorable mention.
Katrina Renee Bowman, of Schaumburg, Ill., at left, receives an honorable mention for her piece titled: “Drake Tea.” The award is presented by event co-chair Taylor McDarison.
“Drake Tea,” by Katrina Renee Bowman, is awarded honorable mention.
“Lingering” by Emerson Reese, shown above, is recognized with an honorable mention. Reese was not in attendance during the awards ceremony.
“Trick or Treating Witch Snail,” by Taylor Leikness, shown above, is recognized with an honorable mention. Leikness was not in attendance during the awards ceremony.
Alfredo Balmaseda, Whitewater, makes his selection for the Viewer’s Choice award.
Kim McDarison photos.
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