Awesome Arts on the Bayou Festival draws record attendance
Original paintings on slate tiles salvaged from Hurricane Katrina, specialty birdhouses for the garden, and handcrafted beaded jewelry were just a few of the items on display during the Awesome Arts on the Bayou Festival.
Eighty vendors from across south Louisiana participated in the two day festival Oct. 13-14 selling everything from clothing to paintings and even baked goods.
"This is our 10th year for the festival, our 2nd at Jambalaya Park in Gonzales, and we couldn't have been more pleased with a record turnout of more than 4,000 people," said Ron Stasko, president of River Region Art Association which hosts the event each year.
The festival also included a Children's Art Village, entertainment on the Jambalaya Stage, a judged Art Exhibit for students and adults, and a photo exhibit of the Scarecrows Swamp Gonzales entries.
"The amount of talent we have in our area is amazing and it was the perfect opportunity to share that talent with the entire community," said Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux.
Winners of the Awesome Art Exhibit are:
DaVinci Award - Donna Smith
Adult Drawing
1st - Gene Spann
2nd - Annette Lorio
3rd - Rebecca Graugnard
Honorable Mention - Becky Petite
Adult Painting
1st - Diane Tygier
2nd - Denise Ducote
3rd - Diane Tygier
Honorable Mention - Kathy Saxon
Adult Three-Dimension
1st - Mary Demarest
2nd - Frances Prestridge
3rd - Sally McConnell
Honorable Mention - Maria Truett
Adult Photography
1st - Terri Millien
2nd - Josie Young
3rd - Amy Gautreau
Youth 12 and Older Painting
1st - Madelaine Kobe
2nd - Lorilei Gaffney
Youth 12 and Older Drawing
1st - Mallori Mathern
2nd -Derek LeBoeuf
3rd - Jeanne LaCarbo
Honorable Mention - Kaylynn Bromfield
Youth 11 and Under Painting
1st - Drake Boudwin
2nd - Juliet Delatte
3rd - Abby Hymel
Honorable Mention - Caroline Keller
Youth 11 and Under Drawing
1st - Madison Deslatte
2nd - Samon Costly
3rd - Adelaide Gaffney
Honorable Mention - Drake Boudwin
Honorable Mention - Kayle Bourgeois
Youth Overall Photography
1st - Tabor Millien
2nd - Grace Graugnard
Honorable Mention - Savanna Moran
Youth Overall Three Dimension
1st - Brince Washington
Winners of the Scarecrows Swamp Gonzales Contest are:
• 1st – Debbie's Bridal, created by Kim Stockslager, Ashlynn McCormick, Margaret Turner, Peggy Esposito, Melanie Blanchard, & Debbie Traylor
• 2nd – Bertrand's Pharmacy, created by Sarah Myers, Ashlee Fink, Rose Stevens, Brittni Guthrie
• 3rd – This, That & More, created by Susan Buckley
Honorable Mentions
• Sign Masters, created by Martin Harrison & Chris Rogers
• EATEL, created by Jenny Heroman & Beryl Smith
• Louisiana Dental Center, created by Ronda Guitreau, Stephanie Williams, Lauren Falcon, Aslyn Andrews, & staff
• Gonzales Furniture & Appliances, created by Rhea Sawyer
• Cal's Bakery, created by Ava Carbo
• Bayou Babies, created by Brenda Moriarty
• Alison's World of Music, created by Brian Dubuc & Alison Dubuc
The festival was made possible in part by generous support from the BASF Corporation, LeBlanc's Food Stores, EATEL, the City of Gonzales, the Parish of Ascension, and the Gonzales Committee on Cultural Affairs. It was supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.