Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery features an art competition for dreamers and doers this month.

Jean Battaglia's 3-D Paper Tole creation, Steaming Down the Track is Best of Show. Photo by Linda Faas.

Jean Battaglia’s 3-D Paper Tole creation, Steaming Down the Track is Best of Show. Photo by Linda Faas.

Fifteen interpretations of that theme vie for honors in this month’s exhibition.  Jean Battaglia was judged Best of Show for her intricate 3-D paper tole creation, “Steaming Down the Track.”   Cash prizes were also awarded to Jan Hansen for her blue ribbon watercolor, “Fanciful View,” Floyd Johnson for his red ribbon acrylic work, “Sand Trap,” and photographer Walt Alder won the white ribbon and cash for “Floating on the Wind.”

Honorable mention ribbon winners are: Judith L. Hetem, Linda Roach, Susan Holladay, and Janet Trobough.  Virgin Valley Artists Association, operators of the Gallery, present this show as their last themed competition for the year.  Terra West Property Management sponsors the cash prizes for the winners. Terra West will name its choice for the Sponsors Choice ribbon at the Artists reception Thursday, Oct. 22, 4-6pm.  The public is cordially invited to attend that open house and meet the artists.  A People’s Choice ribbon will also be awarded to the “Fancy” entry that earns the most votes from gallery visitors before that date.  The show runs through October 31.

Sandy Cooper and Patricia Nay are VVAA’s featured Artists of the Month, collaborating in a joint display in the Mountain Gallery.  These two artists create unique works ranging from Sandy’s functional mosaics and stained glass to Patricia’s pleasing polymer wall art.   Both women will be on hand at the October 22 reception to talk about their art.

Jan Hansen created a Fanciful View in her blue ribbon watercolor. Photo by Linda Faas.

Jan Hansen created a Fanciful View in her blue ribbon watercolor. Photo by Linda Faas.

VVAA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that operates the City-owned gallery facility.  VVAA artists create the original artwork that is displayed and sold at the gallery.  This unique gallery is one of Mesquite’s leading tourist attractions.  VVAA also offers art classes for all ages, operates a full-service pottery studio, and hosts many cultural events at the gallery.

The gallery is located at 15 West Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite, Nevada, open Monday through

Saturday, 10a-4pm.  Gallery phone is 702-346-1338, or see Facebook or VVAA website mesquitefineartscenter.com.

Walt Alder captured a hawk's Flight of Fancy in his White Ribbon photograph, Floating on the Wind. Photo by Linda Faas.

Walt Alder captured a hawk’s Flight of Fancy in his White Ribbon photograph, Floating on the Wind. Photo by Linda Faas.

Sand Trap is Floyd Johnson's Red Ribbon winner. Photo by Linda Faas.

Sand Trap is Floyd Johnson’s Red Ribbon winner. Photo by Linda Faas.