Awards handed out at the Phidian Art Show

THE EXHIBITION RUNS Friday, April 5th until Friday, April 26th
During the artists’ reception on Friday, April 5th, guest judge presented the awards for the 75th Phidian Art Show.

This exhibition is put on by the Phidian Art Club of Dixon, IL.

75th Phidian Art Show – Award Recipients

Mary DeFrancisco Award Honorable Mentions |

“Adoration”, Watercolor – Bill Moritz

“Self-Portrait”, Ink on paper – Michelle Berard

“Meteor I Saw in 1997”, Acrylic – Sarah Matthew

The Next Picture Show Award | “Trio”, Oil – Bonny Brown

Ronald Reagan Presidential Award (Best Regional Scene) | “White Pines Walking Bridge”, Acrylic – Lucinda Winterfield

Caryl Crawford Fleming Award (Best Nature Subject) | “Midnight Dance”, Oil – Sheila Ames

Marie L. Helin Memorial Award (Creativity) | “Still Life, not so Still. She’s Thirsty”, Oil – Kitto

Mary Helen “Mame” Cooper Memorial Award | “River Marsh”, Acrylic – Perry Paliga

Myra Nichols Memorial Award | “Early Riser, Late Fall”, Watercolor – Dick Cholke

Lucille Warner Memorial Award | “Meadow”, Mixed Media – Ben Perez

Roxy Hey Memorial Award (Best Floral Art) | “Dahlias at the Market”, Oil – Karen Tucker

Beverly Weber Memorial Award | “Obie’s Favorite Place”, Acrylic – Julie Young

LeSage Memorial Award (Best Realistic Style) | “King”, Charcoal and graphite – Kimberly Gerry

The Dixon Telegraph Award | “Ebbs & Flows”, Acrylic – Joy Meyer

Jane Marshall Memorial Award | “Girl in Striped Shirt”, Acrylic – Kelly Broitman

Mary Ann Ferolo Memorial Award | “Jane Magnolia”, Oil – Laurie Friemuth

Sauk Valley Bank Award (Best Oil) | “None Left”, Oil – Elizabeth Jahn

KSB Hospital Award | “Sunflower Pair Diptych”, Watercolor – Carla Hill

Ann Roe Memorial Award | “Bringing Life into Focus”, Mixed Media – Laura Brown

Ken Nelson Auto Group Award | “At the Beach”, Watercolor – Betty Predmore

Robert Crowson Memorial Award | “At My Wits End”, Soft Pastel – Mary Howe

Roger Brown and Iva L. Gamel Memorial Award (Best American Scene) | “Out on the Route”, Watercolor – Craig Carpenter

Phidian Past Presidents’ Award (Agnes Ferguson Memorial) | “Sanctuary”, Oil – Stuart Roddy

Myrtle Walgreen Best of Show Award | “Oklahoma 1938”, White colored pencil on black paper – Matt Jagitsch

Awards handed out at the Shades of Gray Exhibition

THE EXHIBITION RUNS February 22nd, 2024–March 30th 2024
During the artists’ reception on Friday, March 1st, guest judge Heather Baker presented the awards for our Shades of Gray Exhibition with an audience of over a hundred.

This exhibition is sponsored by Ken Nelson Auto Group of Dixon, IL.

Shades of Gray – Award Recipients

Best of Show | “At the Sea Shore,” Acrylic on canvas | Kelly Broitman, Sterling, IL

First Place | “Twilight,” Film photography on gelatin silver print | Les Allen, Dixon, IL

Les Allen (Right) talking about his winning piece with our judge, Heather Baker(Left).

Second Place | “S. L. L. 7/30/2022,” Photography | Jon Wildman of Dixon, IL

Third Place | “Jamaal,” Graphite, carbon pencil, and charcoal powder | Ryan Jandry of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Repetition,” Oil | Laurie Friemuth of Oregon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Finding My Light” Oil | Michelle Jagitsch of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention | “Home Sweet Home” Photography | Bob Logsdon of Dixon, IL

Awards handed out at the 19th Regional Survey of Art

THE EXHIBIT RUNS January 11, 2024–February 17th 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, January 26, guest judge Robert Krajecki presented the awards for our largest and longest running show.

This exhibition is sponsored by Hicks Insurance of Dixon, IL. The next juried art exhibition scheduled is Shades of Gray. The show will run from February 22 to March 30, 2024.

The 19th Regional Survey of Art – Award Recipients

Best of Show | “Thunder in the West,” Oil on canvas | Carol Bingham, Sycamore, IL

First Place | “Wisconsin River in the Beginning,” Watercolor | Ellen Mumford, Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Living Proof #5.4,” Cold wax & oil | Kent Broadbent of Annawan, IL

Third Place | “Winter’s Tender Embrace,” Photography | Bob Cholke of Rockford, IL

Honorable Mention | “Dawn Mist,” Photography | Charles Kerr of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Storyville,” Pen, ink, colored pencil & pastels | Dan Bowman of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Chance of Rain,” Acrylic/ Mixed Media | Jayne Rose of Dixon, IL

Awards handed out at Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams opening reception

First-time exhibition

THE EXHIBIT RUNS November 30–January 9, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, December 8th, guest judge Nora Balayti presented the awards for a brand-new art exhibition.

The next juried art exhibition scheduled is the Regional Survey of Art. The show will run from Nov. 30 through Jan. 9, 2024.

The Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams award recipients

Best of Show | “Snowfall on the Church Road,” Oil on wood panel | Carol Bingham, Sycamore, IL

First Place | “Farm in Frost,” Mixed Media | Karen Tucker, Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Ice Under the Sun,” Photography | David Bingaman of Dixon, IL

Third Place | “Lowell Park Winter,” Watercolor | Ellen Mumford of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Snow Laden,” Acrylic | Julie Young of Oregon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Snow Day,” Acrylic on wood panel | Kelly Broitman of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention | “Dixon Winter,” Watercolor | Betty Predmore of Dixon, IL

Awards handed out at Aqua Expressions opening reception

First-time exhibition

THE EXHIBIT RUNS October 27–November 25, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, Nov. 3, guest judges Glenn and Tim Boles presented the awards for a brand-new art exhibition.

This show’s sponsor is Sauk Valley Properties.

The next juried art exhibition scheduled is Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams. The show will run from Nov. 30 through Jan. 9, 2024.

The Aqua Expressions award recipients

Best of Show | “Whoope,” Photography | Bob Logsdon, Dixon, IL

First Place | “Reefs,” Mixed Media | Ellen Mumford, Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Swell Day,” Acrylic | Kelly Broitman of Sterling, IL

Third Place | “Light up Coast,” Watercolor | Dick Cholke of Pecatonica, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sunset in Treasure,” Soft Pastel | Mary Howe of Oregon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sea Dragon,” Alcohol Ink | Kaleb Lee of Barbara Lundeen of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Water under the Bridge,” Acrylic | Perry Paglia of Dixon, IL

Awards presented for Farms & Barns Exhibition

A popular exhibition opens in Dixon

THE EXHIBIT RUNS September 8-October 19, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, Sept. 15, Carolyn Lee McKee-Freese, art educator, and the show’s guest judge, presented the awards for this year’s Farms & Barns art exhibition.

This show’s sponsor is the Lee County Farm Bureau.

The next juried art exhibition scheduled is Aqua Expressions: Artistic Reflections of Water. The show will run Oct. 27-Nov. 25, 2023.

The Farms & Barns award recipients

Best of Show | “After the Storm,” Watercolor | David Gregory of Peoria, IL

First Place | “Saturday in Farm Country,” Acrylic | Janice Conkrite

Second Place | “Day Off,” Photography | Bob Logsdon of Grand Detour, IL

Third Place | “Two Ponytails and a Cowboy Hat,” Watercolor | Jan July of Belvidere, IL

Honorable Mention | “Midwest Summer,” Pastel | Darcy Doiel of Atlantis, FL

Honorable Mention | “Miracle,” Photography | Kaleb Lee of Franklin Grove, IL

Honorable Mention | “Old Renne Farm,” Acrylic | Lucinda Winterfield of Dixon, IL

Awards presented for Absolutely Abstract Exhibition

A new show of abstract art opened in Dixon

THE EXHIBIT RUNS July 21 – September 2, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, July 28, Chloe Metz, Oregon artist and the show’s guest judge, presented the awards for this year’s Absolutely Abstract art exhibition. After the award presentation, TNPS’ new executive director, Letha Catalina, was introduced. Catalina starts her position on August 8.

This show’s sponsors are Ellen and Carl Mumford.

The Absolutely Abstract award recipients

Best of Show | “The Summer of 2020,” Acrylic | Perry Paliga of Dixon, IL

First Place | “Kaleidoscope,” Acrylic Mixed Media| Jayne Rose of Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Every Day is Undone #9,” Photographer | John Wildman of Dixon, IL

Third Place | “Woman with Child,” Cold Wax Medium and Oil | Kent Broadbent of Annawan, IL

Honorable Mention| “Urban Renewal,” Collage and Acrylic | Debbie Thompson of Dixon, IL

Awards presented for The Human Form Exhibition

Opening night brings out the community

THE EXHIBIT RUNS JUNE 2-JULY 15, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, June 9, Amy Sikyta, TNPS executive director, presented the awards for this year’s The Human Form art exhibition. Debra Cleary, artist and art educator, served as the guest judge for this exhibition.

Axiom Wealth Management of Dixon, IL sponsors the Human Form Art Exhibition. 

The Human Form Award recipients

Best of Show | “Hands & Arms Story,” Black & White Charcoals | Ryan Jandrey of Dixon, IL

First Place | “Everyday Is Undone #7,” Photography | Jon Wildman of Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Exit Stage Left,” Oils | Dale Tulk of Ashton, IL

Third Place | “Aquarius Water Bearer Pin Up Girl #2,” Oils | Kitto of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sleep John Estes,” White Pencil on Black Paper | Matt Jagitsch of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention| “Valkyrie,” Mixed Media Acrylic | Whitley Cuevas of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention| “What She Wants,” Graphite on Oils | Lorena Malm of Spring Valley, IL

Beth Shadur announced as juror for 39th IL Watercolor Society National Show

Meet the juror and demonstrator for this year’s IWS show

Beth Shadur of Highland Park, Illinois, is the 39th Illinois Watercolor Society National Show juror and demonstrator. The show runs April 28-May 28, 2023, at The Next Picture Show (TNPS) in Dixon, Illinois. Shadur is set to demonstrate her watercolor technique during the show’s opening reception on May 6, 1-4 p.m.

Shadur is an artist who has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, including at the Art Institute of Chicago; the Drawing Center in New York City; the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, NY; the Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown, Ohio; and at the Colorado Springs Art Museum, Colorado Springs, CO.

“Swagger,” Watercolor on Yupo, 18″ x 24″ | Beth Shadur

Beth Shadur biography

Shadur has created over 150 large public murals as public, private and community art projects in both the United States and Great Britain. She was an Artist-in-Education for the Illinois Arts Council in Chicago, IL. She has taught and served as a visiting artist at many colleges and universities, including Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, MO; and as a visiting artist and scholar at Paradise Valley Community College in Scottsdale, AZ. 

Shadur’s work appears in many publications, books, and catalogs, including Twentieth Century Watercolors, Abbeville Press; The Special Unit, Barlinnie Prison, Its Evolution Through Art, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, Scotland; Community Murals: The People’s Art, Associated University Press, NJ; and Art and Cartography, Art Institute of Chicago.  Her mural work in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, Scotland is included in the archives of the Peoples Palace Museum in Glasgow.  

“Sky Drama,” Watercolor on Yupo, 11″ x 13″ | Beth Shadur

An educator

Shadur has lectured widely on community arts in both the United States and abroad. She has curated numerous national exhibitions, including the ongoing ‘The Poetic Dialogue Project,’ which has traveled throughout the United States. Collaborative Vision: The Poetic Dialogue Project, featuring collaborative works by pairs of poets and artists, was exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center in January-April 2009, and will travel to various university galleries.

In 2006, Shadur presented at the International Conference on Arts in Society in Edinburgh, Scotland, and her Poetic Dialogue Project was published in the International Journal on Arts In Society.  Shadur has been awarded numerous Ragdale Fellowships and is a Thomas Watson Fellow from Brown University; from 2004-6, she served as Executive Director of ARC Gallery, Chicago. She participated in the Cool Globes Public Art Project in Chicago in 2007, and in 2008, was Artist-in-Residence at the Burren College of Art in Ireland through a Governor’s Award for International Arts Exchange from the Illinois Arts Council.

In 2009, she participated in ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI. In 2013, Shadur was a fellow at the Leighton Artist Colony at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Banff, Alberta, Canada. In 2016, she was awarded a residency at the Harfnarborg Art Center in Harfnarjardur, Iceland. She is currently working on her National Park Project, partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, creating works that are traveling throughout the state of Illinois. 

Since 2012, Shadur serves as the Gallery Director at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL. In 2016, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Illinois State Museum. In 2022, she was appointed to the Board of the National Watercolor Honor Society. Her work is owned in many private and public collections.  

Awards announced for 2023 Phidian Art Show

Awards night canceled due to weather

For three years in a row, the in-person awards presentations had to be canceled. The first two years, it was COVID. This year, Mother Nature decided to send miserable, stormy spring weather.

Never fear. The judging went on anyway. Mary Jo Schuneman, a long-time local art educator, was this year’s judge. Just below is a listing of our award recipients. Congratulations to all of our talented local artists.

People’s Choice

The only award not shown at the time of this writing is the 2023 People’s Choice winner. Visitors are encouraged to visit The Next Picture before April 14 to cast a ballot for their favorite piece. The show remains on the gallery’s walls until April 22. Come in and vote!

UPDATE: People’s Choice is the same as our Best of Show, Matt Jagitsch.


“Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch, best of show for the 2023 Phidian Art Show
Best of Show AND People’s Choice | “Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch

…and the winners are

Myrtle Walgreen Best of Show Award
“Don’t Breathe” by Matt Jagitsch

Phidian Past President’s Award
“T. To J.P.” by Kitto

Roger Brown and Iva L. Gamel Memorial Award for Best American Scene
“Let’s Dry the Corn” by Julie Young

Robert Crowson Memorial Award
“Tramp Olay” by Elizabeth Jahn

Lesage Memorial Award for Realistic Style
“White Hollyhocks” by Karen Tucker

Ann Roe Memorial Award for Best Pencil or Pen & Ink
“Scarred Orange and Blue Bottle” by Elizabeth Coss

Jane Marshall Award
“Storyville” by Dan Bowman

Beverly Weber Memorial Award
“Old Truck” by Jerry Scheffler

Roxy Hey Memorial Award for Best Floral
“White Dahlia #2” by Karen Tucker

Ruth Wood Davis Memorial Award Watercolor 
“Yellow Hi-Flyer” by Craig Carpenter

Lucile Warner Award
“Great Uncle Paul” by Jerry Scheffler

Myra Nichols Memorial Award
“Slide” by Elizabeth Jahn

Marie L. Helin Memorial Creativity Award
“Shay’s Cat, Pan” by Amy Bailey

Mary Helen “Mame” Cooper Award
“Two on Two After School at Hefty’s” by Craig Carpenter

The Telegraph Award 
“UNITY Carpeted in Colors of Pink and Gray” by  Shirley Guay

KSB Hospital Award
“Lavender Abstract” by Jayne Rose

Caryl Crawford Fleming Memorial Award for Best Nature Subject
“Whisper” by Dale Tulk

Ronald Reagan Presidential Award for Best Regional Scene
“Iowa Sunset” by Perry Paliga

Mary Ann Ferolo Award
“What a Wonderful World” by Betty Predmore

The Next Picture Show Award
“No Show” by James Hey

HONORABLE MENTIONS

“T. To J.P.” by Kitto

“Our Hero: Uncle Ray” by  A. Elizabeth Anderson-Hall

“Symbolism of Peonies” by Laura Brown

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