Chuck Wadman and his wife Lorena sit below the entry, Quonset, winner of the Juror's Choice Award and first place in the digitally enhanced or manipulated photography category at the Stampede Visual Arts show. - PHOTO BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON, SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Recently retired art teacher, Chuck Wadman, was the winner of the Adult Juror’s Choice Award at Visual Arts 2022. Quonset had two ribbons beside it, first place for digitally enhanced or manipulated photography and the second as the Juror’s Choice Award.
On its own section of wall in the lobby just outside the Sierra Room, the print captures the eye as soon as one enters the building. With the striking yellow of the canola and the large size of the print, it commands the lobby, even with all the other stunning artwork on display. Enlarging the photo enhanced it, explained Wadman, bringing out details he hadn’t noticed
Where the photo was taken will be familiar to most people as it is located on a busy stretch of highway, near Gleichen on the Trans-Canada Highway. Few would stop, but Wadman saw the potential in the photo opportunity.
Wadman taught at Eagle Butte High School for more than 20 years but was also photographer for the yearbook. His interest in photography started about 15 years ago, although manipulating them is a more recent endeavor with Quonset being one of the first he has experimented with.
It was jaw-dropping for Wadman that he won, “you come in here and see so many beautiful things and never imagine you will win.”
Lorena, his wife, was quick to point out how humble her husband is.
There were a few winners who were unable to make it to the awards ceremony on Monday night. Outgoing visual chair, Leslie Mayer, presided over the ceremony, opening it by welcoming everyone. Incoming visual chair, Laura Kennedy, assisted by doing the most important job, handing out cheques to the winners.
“It’s been a little two-year hiatus that we had, so we’re quite happy to be back and ready to go. There is some lovely artwork on display,” stated Mayer. “It’s so nice to be able to have the local artists from the local area and Medicine Hat to be able to show their works and for the public to be able to see how many good artists we have in Medicine Hat.”
Winners List
Visual Arts adult winners
Oil Painting
1. Gene LaCoste, “Cheek to Cheek”
2. Janice Sich, “At the Gallery”
3. Janice Sich, “Alberta February”
Acrylic Painting
1. Ursula Maser, “Hydrangea”
2. Susan Sakamoto, “Canola on the 41”
3. Shelley Ewing “Last Light in Kin Coulee”
Mixed Media & Alternative
1. Susan Sakamoto, “Passport to a better life”
2. Erin Biegel, “Sunflower Montage”
3. Brian Sloan, “Lake Louise”
Graphics, Drawing & Printmaking
1. Vicki Hadland, “Patterns”
2. Carolyn Haggart, “Hope Brand”
3. Jason Brown, “Berries”
Watercolour and Gouache
1. Betty Kirshenman, “Layers of Meaning”
2. Gena LaCoste, “AJ and the A Team”
3. June Burns, “Strawberry Pickin'”
Strathcona Ruth Friesen Award
1. Gena LaCoste, “Raven and the Super Moon”
Colour Photography
1. Linda Pierson, “October Snow”
2. Dan Chomistek, “Crab on the Dock”
3. Stephanie Toews, “Under the Bridge”
Black & White Photography
1. Shauna Fockler, “Vermillion Lake”
2. Stephanie Toews, “Father/Daughter”
3. Susan Rex, “You’re Letting the Flies in”
Digitally Enhanced Photography
1. Chuck Wadman, “Quonset”
2. Elly Heise, “Threshold”
3. Chuck Wadman, “Medalta Train”
Sculpture
1. Colleen O’Brien, “Portrait”
2. Collin Marshall, “The Toe”
3. Larry Legare, “Violin”
Pottery & Glass
1. Dixie Baker, “A Pair of Pears”
2. Lorraine Belanger, “Soft Sunshine”
3. Dixie Baker, “Winter Tea Set”
Children’s Art Awards
Juror’s Choice
1. Kassidee Knelsen, “Lack Destruction”
Preschool
1. Wesson Russell, “O’ Canada”
Grades 1-3
1. Makinlee Pearson, “Summer Beauty”
2. Alec Hargrave, “Pasture”
3. Sarah Koenig, “Apples”
Grades 4-6
1. George Maser, “Mountains”
2. Riley Wadden, “Midnight”
3. Jemah Knelsen, “Highland Bull”
Grades 7-9
1. Aubrey Baugh, “Charcoal Horses”
2. Mariah Mcouat “Inspired by Georgia O’Keefe”
3. Layla Maser, “Monster”
Grades 10-12
1. Ashtyn Gold, “I See You”
2. Ashtyn Gold, “Eville”
3. Kadence Hermanson, “Billie Eilish”
