Art exhibits take top prizes at Haines, Palmer fairs

Two exhibits submitted by local artists to the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines this July won top honors, going on from there to compete and win in Palmer Aug. 27.

Arlene Woodward and Kitty Angerman each took top prizes for their art. Woodward's piece was a photograph entitled "Yellow Jacket on Forget-Me-Nots," which won a third-place white ribbon.

In addition to her ribbon at Palmer, Woodward's photograph also earned four ribbons at the Haines fair. A relative newcomer to fair exhibition, the win came as a bit of a surprise. "Last year was my first year I'd submitted anything," she said.

She has pursued photography for the past 15 years. "I guess when it started I was out fishing," Woodward recalled. Her husband had given her a new camera, and she discovered an interest in the medium.

She explained her subjects vary. "I just get into different things," she said. Lately, Woodward has been focusing on flowers, but the next week it can be something else entirely; whatever catches her eye.

"That's my interest, that's my passion," she stated. "Well, that and my dog."

Angerman submitted a mosaic made from pieces of glass called "Ladies." Featuring a trio of women headed for a night on the town, it took a first place blue ribbon for three-dimensional art.

While Angerman enjoys her stained glass work, she explained it is one of a number of art forms she works with. She has been

submitting exhibits off and on now for the past two decades, and "Ladies" was one of two mosaics she sent to Haines this year.

"This is the second time something's been sent to the Palmer fair from the Haines fair," she said.

Her piece earned eight

ribbons in Haines, and two in Palmer. Judges told her it might have garnered even more had she submitted only one

mosaic.

Recently returned from Palmer, the work will end up on the wall of the Hungry

Beaver's recently remodeled family dining room.