New art competition added to Avocado Festival

FALLBROOK — Thanks to George and Gayle Bamber of Holy Guacamoly, the Fallbrook Avocado Festival now features an art competition based on the avocado itself. All interested participants are encouraged to create an avocado-themed work of art in any medium and submit it to the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce by Monday, April 9. Entrants can fill out an application form at the same time they drop off their art entry.

Guidelines for the contest: Everyone is eligible to participate. Entries can be submitted in any artistic medium: watercolor, oil, acrylic, photograph, clay, ceramic, collage, glass, jewelry, metalworking, textile, woodworking, charcoal, line drawing… the only restrictions are that the theme of the work be based on the avocado, that the viewer can actually “see” an avocado somewhere in the work and that the size and weight of the work be manageable for normal handling.

The Bambers have provided $600 in prizes for the top three entries: $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.

George is a retired marketing director who is also a writer and artist. “I wanted to make prizes available to recognize artistic efforts. I know personally how hard it is to make a living as an artist, and I thought this would be one small way to recognize our local artisans,” he said.

Judging will take place on Friday, April 13, by a panel of six judges: two art teachers, two practicing artists and two community members.

The three winning artists will be presented with their prizes at the Fallbrook Chamber Sundowner on April 18 at Rio Rico Mexican Restaurant, 5256 South Mission Road. Winning entries will be displayed at the Lace Apron Restaurant, 118 North Main Avenue, during the Avocado Festival.

All participating artists will also be part of a festival-wide popular vote that will take place on festival day, April 22. Artists will be listed in a formal program, their work will be on display at various Fallbrook locations throughout the festival and festival-goers will be able to drop off ballots at all display locations. Ballots will be picked up at 3 p.m. and the People’s Choice Award will be announced at 4 p.m. at the Community Stage.