MURAL COMPETITION ANNOUNCES WINNERS
MURAL COMPETITION ANNOUNCES WINNERS
The Wayne County Murals Program announces the winners of the 2024 Wayne County Mural Competition. Eleven artists competed this summer for three prizes of 1st place-$10,000, 2nd place-$5,000 and 3rd place-$2,500.
The Wayne County Murals Program attracted artists both nationally and internationally. Artists were selected for their qualifications of skill, creativity and experience with large scale projects among other qualities. Over the span of several months, eleven new murals were brought to life before our eyes. This included a community mural in Dublin where residents participated by adding their own artistic talents to this community mural. These new murals helped tell stories of our history, showed vibrant nature scenes and add an array of dynamic colors to buildings throughout Wayne County.
A qualified panel of judges judged completed murals based on multiple factors. Judges included: Teaching Professor of Fine Arts: Anita Giddings, Herron School of Art at Indiana University Indianapolis, Professor of Art and Chair of the Art Department, Rob Robbins, Miami University, and experienced muralist, Carlena Dee. Winners are as follows:
1st Place: Chris Catalogna, “The Ralph Teetor Mural”, 600 West Main St., Hagerstown
2nd Place: Anthony Brooks, “Dancing”, 1014 East Main St., Richmond
3rd Place: Megan Oldhues, “6:00 in the Studio”, 199 Fort Wayne Ave., Richmond
The WCMP judges stated, “The judging process for this project was quite challenging. We were well aware of the public nature of these artworks and their significance in the culture of their respective communities. We took into account various factors. Aesthetics played a central role in our assessment of these artworks. Murals are public artworks but they are also paintings, we admired them for their aesthetic appeal. Additionally, we considered the diversity of murals across Wayne County, from Richmond to smaller communities. Murals are a defining feature in Wayne County, and we aimed to acknowledge the variety of artworks added to the collective body of public art for the 2024 mural competition. Apart from aesthetics, we also considered the connection that each mural had to its community. Many of the artworks focused on specific aspects of a community’s local culture. We also factored in the level of difficulty involved in creating these artworks. Creating a large public artwork is a demanding undertaking, requiring the artist to work in the elements, create a composition that is effective on a public wall, and use large equipment to bring the artwork to life. Additionally, we assessed how well the artist researched and sought a connection to the community, local interests, or an individual that represented the culture of that community. Our selection process aimed to recognize three specific categories within the group of 11 murals.
Firstly, we sought to acknowledge murals that depicted a historic figure or a group of people significant to the location. Secondly, we looked for paintings that showcased original or innovative designs. Lastly, we aimed to recognize strong artistic ability, as some of the paintings demonstrated exceptional skill. Ultimately, we decided to recognize three specific paintings from this year’s competition. The first painting, located in Hagerstown, focused on the role of Ralph Teetor in the community. The depiction of the historical figure was executed with strong perspective, and the overall design, split into three parts, engaged well with the location. The second painting, Dance Techniques, located in Richmond, impressed us with its strong use of color and dynamic nature, communicating an energetic and youthful style. The third painting we recognized was 6:00 in the Studio, a beautifully executed piece that showcased exceptional skill and is likely to be popular among those who appreciate painting.”
The competition was funded by the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP), Wayne County Foundation and the Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau, Inc.
