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’Tis the season of giving and giving back. In true holiday spirit, an array of art filled the walls of a local gallery to raise funds to help artists thrive in the community.

Executive Director Darcy Reeves said they had a good turnout for the Holiday Art Show and Sale Friday night during which they sold 12 pieces. She said 37 artists entered in the show this year with 119 pieces of artwork. 

Reeves said the Best of Show was sponsored by Inasmuch Foundation with a donation received In Memory of Kathy Buxton, a former CTAC board member.

Reeves said Kathy joined CTAC in 1988 and served four years as the treasurer. She said she also served on the CTAC Art Gallery committee for three years.

Pattie Calfy, best of show winner, said she first got started in photography after her husband gave her a camera for Christmas in the 1980s. She said things progressed from there.

“My mother was an artist,” she said. “I was interested in art, but taking pictures is quicker.”

Calfy said she’s began with photography around 1987. She said she began photographing high school sports and weddings before settling on art photography.

As former science teacher, Calfy said she enjoys to photograph still life. She said works to capture how water refracts the light, as well as items that reflect.

At times, Calfy will utilize mirrors with still life.

Calfy said she went back to work part time at Walters where she taught photography classes.

“I really enjoyed that and the kids enjoyed it,” Calfy said. “I taught photography for four years.”

Over the past four years, Calfy said she’s been doing photography mainly for herself.

Calfy’s piece “Complementary Colors” won Best of Show. The piece is photographed blue bottles and oranges. She said on the color wheel the blues and oranges are complementary.

Calfy said she likes setting these pieces up. She said she had several items from her grandmother and she would set up still life items and take photos.

For future photographers, Calfy said to take a lot of pictures.

“For every good picture you come up with, you may have taken 30 that weren’t so good,” she said. “That’s advice another photographer gave me.”

Kathy Buxton’s daughter, Ginny Buxton, attended the show to meet the Best of Show winner.

LaQuincey Reed, judge and an artist in his own right, said this was the first show he’s judged and it was different judging the pieces.

“I didn’t know exactly what I was going to walk into and what I was going to see and what I was going to be drawn to,” he said. “That was the most difficult part.”

Reed said he loved the Best of Show piece and the use of complementary colors. His background as an art teacher really drew him to the piece.

“All the different elements and the principles of design were really evident,” he said.

Reed said he looked at the artwork from a formal analysis point of view, as well as looking at the principle of design and elements of art each artist used.

For future artists, Reed said to keep making a bunch of art, submit everywhere and get involved with the arts council.

First place winners were Richard Faulkner, Eve Cornejo, Martha Burger and Larry Harris. Second place winners were Alyssa Beth Cox, Dean Sewell, James Metzger and Jack Crouch. Third place winners were Charlotte New, Debbie Duggar, Don Holladay and Cynthia Larson. Honorable Mention went to Susan Diann Hayes, Rita Lee Worthington, Mark Slagle and Jason Wortham.

Reeves said the reception was beautifully attended.

“We are thankful that the weather cooperated with us last Friday,” Reeves said.

With a membership goal of $20,000, Reeves said they are just a couple of thousand dollars away from their goal.

“I am confident that we can make it,” she said. “We have a ‘CTAC member’ Christmas tree in the gallery where an ornament with each member’s name will be placed on the tree.”

The Holiday Art Show and Sale will run through Dec. 19.

For more information, contact Reeves at 580-252-4160. CTAC Gallery operates from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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