Dusty Trails to Grafton by Miriam Rawson was named Best of Show

Dusty Trails to Grafton by Miriam Rawson was named Best of Show

Dad, Me and Charley, by Deena Millecam, won Terra West Sponsor's Choice award.

Dad, Me and Charley, by Deena Millecam, won Terra West Sponsor’s Choice award.

Jerry Heckendorn's clay sculpture captures the phases of Nevada's history.

Jerry Heckendorn’s clay sculpture captures the phases of Nevada’s history.

Nancy Garcia's pastel work, Cactus Pears, won Blue Ribbon in Dusty Trails exhibition

Nancy Garcia’s pastel work, Cactus Pears, won Blue Ribbon in Dusty Trails exhibition

Honorable Mention, Yellow Dust by Tammy Symons

Honorable Mention, Yellow Dust by Tammy Symons

All trails led to the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery on October 23 as winners were announced in the “Dusty Trails” Exhibition, which honored Nevada’s 150 years of Statehood.  Virgin Valley Artists Association President Barbara Withelder congratulated all the artists who participated in the exhibition.   The competition was sponsored by Terra West Property Management, which funded the cash prizes.  Terra West named Deena Millecam winner of their Sponsor’s Choice ribbon.  Deena’s watercolor, “Dad, Me, and Charley,” portrayed a rancher and son with their favorite horse.

Miriam Rawson took Best of Show honors in the juried competition with her oil painting.

“Dusty Trail to Grafton,” portrayed the historic town near Zion National Park that was used as a location for the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”  Miriam was awarded $100 along with her winning ribbon.

Nancy Garcia’s beautiful pastel work, “Cactus Pears,” took the Blue ribbon and $50 cash prize.  An intricate shadow box filled with castoff desert artifacts named, “It’s Tough Along the Dusty Trail,” was chosen Red ribbon winner.  The work by Jan Stensland included snake skin, scorpion remains, and a collection of actual and replicated discards found along the miles of trails west.  Jan was awarded $30 with her Red ribbon.  Photographer Judith Hetem grabbed the White ribbon and $20 cash for her photograph, “These Boots Were Made for Workin’.”

Honorable mention ribbons went to Tammy Symons for “Yellow Dust,” to Kelly Beeson for “Last Deer Hunt,” “Dusty Trails,” by Barbara Marchant, “Into the Valley,” by Geraldine Zarate,

“One More Bite,” by Nancy Garcia, and Moss Picard’s abstract collage, “Only the Silence.”

Jan Hansen was a triple winner in the show.  She took the coveted “People’s Choice” ribbon, awarded by popular vote of gallery visitors.  Her work was also named as an honorable mention award.  She scored the ultimate win of selling her “Dusty Trails” watercolor painting to a gallery visitor.

Virgin Valley Artists Association hosts monthly exhibitions at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.

The Gallery is a city-owned facility, operated by the volunteer staffing of VVAA.  The Gallery features original local artwork and giftware, making it an excellent source for fine art, gifts and mementos for both residents and visitors.  The VVAA Lucky 2014 fundraiser is now in progress, with a silent auction and raffle for high-value items.  Raffle tickets are $5, available at the gallery.

Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is located at 15 W. Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada.  Open Monday through Saturday, 10a-4p.  Phone 702-346-1338, or visit www.mesquitefineartscenter.com  or Facebook.