Saxon the Suffrage Cat Contest Grows in Popularity

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

This year’s annual Saxon the Suffrage Cat decorating contest, put on by the Mesquite Women History and Culture Center (WHCC) concluded on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 2. Five judges gathered at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center to take on the difficult job of choosing winners out of the 42 inspired and creative “cats” entered in the contest.

This is the third annual contest. The number of entries grow larger each year. Each Judge independently scored by number in each category. The numbers were tallied by two other independent sources to arrive at the winners. No names were involved until after the scores were tallied declaring winners.

The WHCC put on this contest to celebrate the history of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. In 1920 when suffragists Nell Richardson and Alice Burke began a five-month cross-county road trip to attract attention for their women’s right to vote movement, they brought with them a new kitten, Saxon. The cat was named after the make of the Saxon Golden Flyer car they drove. The cat became something of a mascot for the movement. The two women could not have dreamed that, seventy-five years later, their cat as well as their movement would be remembered in such a way.

The WHCC provided entrants with the plain wooden cats purchased from a local artist. People could then decorate the cat as best they saw fit.

The contest has caught the attention of creative locals and then some. There was even one entry that came all the way from Oregon.

The competitors were to decorate Saxon the cat for historical presentation. The idea was for the competitors to have fun, yet learn some history about the suffrage movement.

The award categories by age groups included Young Artist, Adult Artist, Senior Artist, Suffrage Theme were Best Historical Presentation, with first, second and third prizes awarded. Special awards were also given for Best of Show, Mayor’s Choice and People’s Choice.

The winners for Young Artist were Rylie Belalcazar in first place; Naomi Belalcazar in second place; Kassanda Hilius in third place; and Honorable Mention Addison & Avery Forsberg.

Adult Artist winners were Rachel Washington in first place; Jessica Berg in second place; Nivia Balsera in third place; and Honorable Mention Deb Parsley and Leora Hillius.

Senior Artist awards went to Marge Jergantz in first place; Cheryl Sachse in second place; Vikki Farrington in third place and with Honorable Mention Steve Dudrow.

Suffrage Them category awards saw Marge Jergantz in first place; Vikki Farrington in second place;

Jessica Berg in third place; with Honorable Mention, Cheryl Sachse.

The Best of Show went to Marge Jergantz. She received a Cat Tree.

The Mayor’s Choice award went to Nancy Hewitt. People’s Choice Award went to Jessica Berg. Each received a gift Package from the Recreation Center.

First Place Adult winners received $100 Gift Certificates to any restaurant at Eureka Resort. Young artist winners received a $100 entertainment certificate.

Second place winners received $50 cash. Third place winners received $25.00.

All the cats are now on display, as presented, at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center located at 15 W Mesquite Blvd. They will be there until August 11 when owners are asked to either retrieve their cats or elect to leave them at the gallery where members of the public may make a donation and take one home for themselves. All donations made will be given to the WHCC by the Virgin Valley Artists Association.

Visitors to the Art Gallery will get a visual treat seeing the creativity that went into remembering Saxon the Suffrage Cat.

WHCC founder and board member, Jean Watkins, was the creator of this contest.
“I can’t believe all the talent we have in this town,” Watkins said. “It is wonderful.”