Art of the Avocado winners announced

FALLBROOK — A panel of volunteer judges gathered at the Art Studios of Fallbrook on Friday, April 11, to evaluate the entries submitted by local artists for the Art of the Avocado Contest, a festive art event sponsored by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Avocado Festival.

First place winner for the 2008 contest is Kevin Anderson, whose large oil painting of two avocados halves looks absolutely ready-to-eat. It was a clear favorite. The painting will be on display at the Lace Apron until Sunday, April 20, but can be seen after the festival when it returns to its place of honor at the Del Rey Avocado Company at 1260 South Main Avenue.

Second place honors went to Pax Nidorf for her deeply colorful “Food of the Gods,” while Denise Gillen took the honors for third place with a creative series of woodcarvings entitled “Prehistory of the Avocado.”

Additionally, Jack Ragland garnered the Chairman’s Award, Kim Lien Blakley the Sponsor’s Award, Village Copy Center the Carol Eastman Award, Ruby Hoffman the Honorary Mayor Award, Gayle Bamber the Miss Fallbrook Award and David Bean the Chamber Award.

The winning entries are now hanging at the Lace Apron, 118 North Main, and are available for viewing Friday, April 18; Saturday, April 19; and during the Avocado Festival on Sunday, April 20.

The entries for the contest were submitted in multiple mediums – watercolor, oil, acrylic, photograph, ceramic, collage, glass, textile, jewelry and woodworking – and all were based on an avocado theme with a visible avocado somewhere in the work.

The winning artists will be honored at the Fallbrook Chamber Sundowner on April 18 and at the Community Stage at 3 p.m. during the Avocado Festival.