Back row L to R: Matthew Porter & David Pedersen of Five Star Bath Solutions, Chris Hayes President of Fishers Arts Council, Susan Hirsch (Best 3D), Rich Ernsting (Best Flora/Other) Front Row L to R: Ailithir McGill of Noblesville Creates, Valerie Bielski (Best Abstract), Neal Snapp (Best Landscape), Abigail Staffelbach (Best in Show), Asma Siddiqui (People’s Choice), Brenda Whicker (Merit Award), Craig Mullins (Merit Award), Carol Strock Wasson (juror)
Fishers artist Abigail Staffelbach earned Best in Show and a $1,000 prize for her oil painting “Through Clouds, Blue” at the Fishers Arts Council’s seventh annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists.
The awards were presented Sept. 11 at the Fishers Municipal Center. Jiffy Lube of Indiana returned as title sponsor of the competition.
Staffelbach also received a solo exhibit for 2027. Juror Carol Strock Wasson of Union City praised the painting’s color harmony, atmospheric depth and handling of edges.
“This is a memorable painting that will remain with me for many days to come,” Wasson said.
Five category winners each received $600:
- Best Landscape: Neal Snapp of Fishers, “The Cool Edge of Sunset.”
- Best Portrait/Figurative: Wesley Dallas Merritt, formerly of Sheridan, for his watercolor “Treasures in the Fog.”
- Best Floral/Other: Rich Ernsting, for his transparent watercolor “Tranquility.”
- Best Abstract: Valerie Bielski of Noblesville, “Sunset on Kona.”
- Best 3D: Susan Hirsch of Fishers, for her stoneware piece “Have I Done Enough?”
Craig Mullins of Indianapolis received a $250 merit award for “Fly Adrift Along the Aspens,” as did Brenda Whicker, formerly of Fishers, for “Blushing Mums.”
Fishers resident Asma Siddiqui won the Noblesville Creates People’s Choice award for the second consecutive year. Her textured acrylic and mixed media work, “Memory of a Rising Wave,” earned the most combined online and in-person votes and a $250 prize.
According to the arts council, Snapp’s painting sold before the awards evening ended, while Bielski’s work sold on the exhibit’s opening day.
The exhibit continues through Oct. 2 at the Art Gallery at City Hall and in the adjoining Fishers Art Center galleries at 1 Municipal Drive. Most of the exhibited works, including many award winners, are available for purchase, according to the council.
The arts council lists visiting hours as 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays during the Fishers Farmers’ Market. Artwork also can be viewed on the Fishers Arts Council Facebook page.
