'The Haunted Tree' Wins First Prize at Inaugural Juried Art Exhibit

The Mercer Island Arts Council revealed the winners of its first annual Mercer Island Art Gallery Juried Art Exhibit at an artist's recption on Sept. 13 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

The winners are:

• 1st place: David Julian, Medium: Photography, Title of work: The Haunted Tree 
• 2nd place: Kevin Au, Medium: Sculpture, Title of work: Sentry
• 3rd place: Louis Elaine Hankes, Medium: Acrylic Painting, Title of Work: "Surf Dance"

Ribbons and monetary prizes were awarded to the winners: $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third place.

A total of 62 artists submitted entries to the art exhibit, which was judged by Paula Stokes, exhibition and scholarships programs manager at Pratt Fine Arts Center.

Stokes complimented the artists and the Arts Council for creating a show that was open to all, highlighting the diversity of the work. Artist Kevin Au's son accepted the ribbon and award in place of his father.

The Arts Council said 179 pieces of art were submitted, and of those, 51 pieces of art by 44 artists were accepted and are displayed in the exhibit (16 of these are Mercer Island artists).

The exhibit will run until October 26th and all artwork in the exhibit is for sale.