The Virgin Valley Artist Association’s July competition and exhibition theme was “Chasing the Sun,” and the artists did it in a variety of ways.

The awards ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon, July 17.

The Dimensional Art and art from Earth’s Elements artists seemed to excel with this theme. Taking first place with her mixed-media piece titled “Morning Sun” was Eddi Malloy. Second place went to Jane Johnson for her sculpture “In the Moment.”

Honorable mention went to Kirstie Montana for her fused glass piece titled “A Red Wave.” This piece drew a lot of attention and also won the Emerging Artist and the People’s Choice Award. Montana is a relatively new artist. In January 2025, she took her first class on fused glass and found her niche. She has made so much progress that she recently began teaching her methods to a full class of students.

The next honorable mention in the same category went to White Rose Whitefeather for “Solar Eclipse,” a unique mixed-media piece of screws and paint. Whitefeather is also a fairly new artist, but has consistently won awards for her bold paintings. This piece also won the Mayor’s Choice Award and the Sponsor’s Choice Award. Mayor Jesse Whipple said he was fascinated by the use of the screws for the silhouette into the sun. Kristi Neff from Reliance Connects, this month’s event sponsor, was equally fascinated by the technique. “Even the curls in her hair,” she said.

Whitefeather was also Artist of the Month, so a wall in the second gallery was filled with her brushed art. She explained some of her paintings. On the left was an eagle, which represented the wind conducting a storm. To its right, the storm was depicted. The top painting to its right represented thunder, which Whitefeather sees as fear, and the bottom painting represented lighting, which she finds beautiful.

Best of Show Award went to Paulette Schemerhorn for her stitched fabric portrait scene titled “Proud Mercy.” The judge commented on the distinctive highlighting in the picture.

In the Drawing and Sketch category, first place went to White Rose Whitefeather for “Trail of the Sunlit Path.” Second place went to Lynn Craven for his pyrography and ink piece, titled “Immortal Sunset.” Honorable mentions went to Amy Wells and Scarlet Vail.

In the Photography and Digital Art category, first place went to “Superior Sunset” by Shirley Smith. Second place went to Shirley Smith for “Chasing the Sun.” Randy Bauman received two honorable mentions.

In the Brushed Art category, first place went to Ronald Denz for “Last Glimpse.” Second place went to Eddi Malloy for “Eclipse.” Honorable mentions went to Bryan Alexander and Thomas Davis.

Finger foods and wine were served during the event. Dottie Golden, standing in for President Chris Picior, handed out the awards.