International Arts Festival Winners Announced

The winners of the International Arts Festival were announced at a cocktail reception at Wallblake House on Friday December 3 Many persons attended the event and viewed the 48 paintings that were the finalists in the competition. Garve Beckham who, with Suzanne Seitz, judged the competition announced the winners.

The winner was Jean-Pierre Ballagny from St Barths who won US$10,000. Although there were some twenty artists who were in Anguilla for the occasion he was not present. Second prize went to Betty Barber of St Thomas with her painting Caribbean Carnival and she was present to receive her prize of US$2,500.00. The painting was in bright colours with lots of people and cleverly included were flags from many of the countries of the Caribbean.

Persons attending on Friday were able to vote for the People’s Choice which carried a prize of US$2,500.00. There was a tie. Lynne Bernbaum, well known artist who has lived in Anguilla for many years, was one of the winners. The other was Justyna Miklaseiviez, of Poland. She is also well known in Anguilla as she has exhibited several times at CuisinArt Resort and was the resident artist there a couple of years ago.

The International Arts Festival is a biennial event that is becoming popular worldwide. Participants sent slides for the first round and 48 paintings were chosen for the finals that were judged here.

BID’s Jose Prieto presents award to Mr. McConnie