Arts And Food Festival Winners Announced

The Johnston County Arts Council hosted its Eighth Annual Arts and Food Festival Gala on March 16th at the Paul A. Johnston auditorium on the campus of Johnston Community College in Smithfield.

Forty-six pieces of art work were entered into the categories of painting, mixed media, photography, and pottery.  The following were awarded: Painting- 1^st Place:  Jimmy Brown –Larry;
2^nd Place: Lori Hamilton- Megan;    3^rd Place: Amy Beshgetoorian–Mule Team;   Honorable Mentions:  Loretta Langdon –Back Home –   Don Stephenson –Guitar Man.

In the category of mixed media the winners were: 1^st Place: Loretta Langdon- White Ducks on the Pond;     2^nd Place: Jo Tucker- Living In the Promise Land,    3^rd Place: Judy Boyette- Sea Stars;    Honorable Mentions: Mary Jones – Entangled Tentacles–   Deborah Dawe- Lollipops and Roses.

In the category of photography the winners were; 1^st Place: Wayne Dockery- Cathedral Awe;    2^nd Place; Christer Berg- The Knockout Punch;       3^rd Place: Heidi-Lee Peach- Port Vell;   Honorable Mentions: Barbie Davis- Johnston County Water Tower Towns-   Michael Todd Morrison– 2-Bacca.

In the Pottery category 1^st Place: Angie McClure- For Edward;  2^ndPlace: Marsha Rogers- Copper Clay Basket  3^rd Place: Chris Boyette –Red Bird; and Honorable mentions: Frank Grubbs- Base With Three Sentinels–   Judy Boyette– Leaf.

Best of Show was awarded to Jimmy Brown – Hilling Tobacco- A Tribute to Dad.   First place winners received $200, second place-$100 and third place-gift card . The Best of Show received $300.

Johnston County restaurants offered samplings of their signature dishes with the following restaurants receiving awards:

Best Entrée – Anthony’s Pizza &Pasta of Clayton
Best Dessert – Sherry’s Signature Cheesecake of Clayton
Best Presentation – Casey’s Floral and Catering Service of Princeton
Best Side Dish – LaCocina of Smithfield
Most Original Dish – Robbins Nest of Selma
Best Appetizer – SoDoSoPa of Smithfield

The People’s Choice Award for Best Restaurant as determined by vote of festival attendees went to Charlie’s BBQ & Grille of Cleveland.

The fundraiser generated monies to assist the Arts Council with funding for the 2017 Artists-in-the-Schools program and free community programs.