The Best of Show award for April’s Artists and Poets exhibit at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery went to artist Karlynn Jones and poet Marie Tollsturp for their dual “Color the World Red.” Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

Second place prize winners in the April Artists and Poets exhibit at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery were artist Boots Nelson for his “Icicles in the Window” and poet D. Gary Christian for “December Days.” Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

April is the time of year that artists from two different genres team up to create a beautiful exhibit for the public to enjoy at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery.

The exhibit begins several months earlier when poets create their art often reaching into their souls to express themselves with words. Artists then select a poem to bring those words to visual expression of themselves and poet on canvas, through photography or in 3-D fashion.

Second place prize winners in the April Artists and Poets exhibit at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery were artist Boots Nelson for his “Icicles in the Window” and poet D. Gary Christian for “December Days.” Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

The Best of Show award for April’s Artists and Poets exhibit at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery went to artist Karlynn Jones and poet Marie Tollsturp for their dual “Color the World Red.” Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

The April Artists and Poets exhibit, sponsored by Mesquite Gaming, is available to the public through April 30 free of charge. A reception provided by the Virgin Valley Artists Association is set for April 28 from 4-6 p.m. at the Gallery to honor the award winners. The Sponsor’s Choice and People’s Choice awards will also be announced at the reception.

The Best of Show award for this month’s exhibit went to artist Karlynn Jones and poet Marie Tollsturp for their dual “Color the World Red.” First place honors were awarded to artist Geraldine Zarate “Picking Berries” and poet Julie Boe “Ripe Berries.”

Second place prize winners were artist Boots Nelson for his “Icicles in the Window” and poet D. Gary Christian for “December Days.” Artist Barb Halicki and poet Karen L. Grohs took third place for their team effort titled “Poem in a Paint Box.”

Honorable mention award winners include (artist/poet) Katherine Cole/Bonnie Anderson, James Lanier/Marilyn Ball, Lance Barr/Karen L. Grohs, Boots Nelson/D. Gary Christian, Karlynn Jones/D. Gary Christian and Judy Heusner/Marie Tollsturp.

Artist Geraldine Zarate “Picking Berries” and poet Julie Boe “Ripe Berries” won First Place in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery April Artists and Poets exhibit. Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

Artist Geraldine Zarate “Picking Berries” and poet Julie Boe “Ripe Berries” won First Place in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery April Artists and Poets exhibit. Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is a city-owned facility, operated by the Virgin Valley Artists Association. VVAA members provide the original artwork that is shown in the gallery and gift shop. All art is offered for sale and displays are changed monthly. In addition to the special exhibitions, members show their fine works in a wide variety of mediums. The Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about membership, upcoming exhibitions, and art and pottery classes, see the VVAA website at www.mesquitefineartscenter.com or talk with the front

desk volunteer at the Gallery. Call 702-346-1338 for assistance.

Artist Barb Halicki and poet Karen L. Grohs took third place for their team effort titled “Poem in a Paint Box” at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery April exhibit for Artists and Poets. Photo by Barbara Ellestad.

Artist Barb Halicki and poet Karen L. Grohs took third place for their team effort titled “Poem in a Paint Box” at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery April exhibit for Artists and Poets. Photo by Barbara Ellestad.