The Arts Council of Moore County (ACMC) created the Fine Arts Festival (FAF) in 1980 to provide incentive for local artists to improve their technique and a place to showcase and sell their artwork. The festival has since grown into a major art exhibit featuring artwork by artists from all over the country. The artwork is also judged and cash prizes and ribbons are awarded.
Congratulations to the following winners
of the 2025 FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
SARAH WILSON HODGKINS “BEST IN SHOW”
AWARD WINNER
“Indigo Creek” – Watercolor by Gretchin Moore
LEE BARRETT “PEOPLE’S CHOICE”
AWARD WINNER
“Drips & Bubbles” – Oil by Betsey MacDonald
OIL
1st Place: Betsey MacDonald – “Drips and Bubbles”
2nd Place: Shannon Shreve – “Hanging Out”
3rd Place: – Leigh Lassiter – “Moody Marsh”
Honorable Mention:
Betty Chandler – “Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party”
Stephanie Slack – “Stuffed and Scrutinized”
Eleanor Gallagher – “Life on the Wild Side”
Paula Spinner – “Wisteria”
Maureen Scullin – “Barn Girls”
ACRYLIC
1st Place: Elizabeth Apodaca- “May and August”
2nd Place: Jordan Baker – “Colorful Keets”
3rd Place: Peter Augustini – “Attitude”
Honorable Mention:
Peter Helgesen – “Buckeye”
Mary Wright – “Hyacinth Glory”
Mary Wright – “Classic Betty”
Pat McBride – “Plazza del Campo”
WATERCOLOR
1st Place: Gretchen Moore – “Indigo Creek”
2nd Place: Cathy Mazanec – “Celestial Tapestry”
3rd Place: Linda Wheeler Gurnick – “Pelican”
Honorable Mention:
Stephanie Slack – “Harbor Seal”
Caitlin Gironda – “Flaming Rose”
Cathy Mazanec – “Sail Away, Sail Away”
DRAWING
1st Place: Kristie Ham – “Baby on Board”
2nd Place: Sharon Ferguson McLeod – “Last Winter’s Goldenrod”
3rd Place: Caitlin Gironda – “Dahlias”
Honorable Mention:
Barbara Ainsley – “Best Friends”
Laureen Kirk – “Old Favorite”
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place: Joyce Bramwell – “Stella Deoro Gold”
2nd Place: Angie Tally – “A Market Morning”
3rd Place: Jaya Thompson– “Conistan Lakes District Water”
Honorable Mention:
Tommy McDonnell – “Rooted”
Anne DeKeyser – “Morning Ride”
3-DIMENSIONAL
1st Place: Thomas Bizzette Mattocks – “The Tourist”
2nd Place: Matt Gutschmit – “Kintsugi Berry Bowl”
3rd Place: Luke Huling – “Liminal Space”
Honorable Mention:
Laura Harris – “Low Country”
Matt Gutschmit – “Blossom Tea Set”
MIXED MEDIA / PRINTMAKING / DIGITAL ART / FIBER ARTS
Given in memory of Deborah Kline: Debby passed away in 2019 from ALS. In addition to her business degrees, Debbie also earned a fine arts degree. Her artwork is in private collections all over the country and she was a part of several solo & juried shows. Thanks to a gift from Debby’s friend, Dr. Tommy McDonell, we are proud to honor Debby in this way.
1st Place: Emily Whittle – “Shoreline”
2nd Place: Lori Thayer– “Bare-Faced Curassow”
3rd Place: Nanette Zeller – “Staring into the Abyss”
Honorable Mention:
Luke Huling – “Mid-Century Muse”
Saundra Rubiera – “Katrina’s Vase”
Michael Stratil – “Mergers and Blends”
Pridie Ariail – “A Round NC”
Marie French – “The Crows Esteemed Court”
2025 JUDGE: Blake Kennedy, Clay Studio Manager, NC State University Crafts Center, Raleigh, NC
PURCHASE AWARDS
A Purchase Award is the opportunity for businesses and individuals to support the festival artists by pledging to purchase artwork prior to the festival. In addition to selling their artwork, the artist also receive a ribbon.
“Water Dance” by Pridie Arail
Purchased by Kathy Wright
“Eagle” by Peter Augustini
Purchased by Brownback & Thomasson CPAs
“Deer in the Yard at Sunset” by Susan Beveridge
Purchased by Dale Erickson
“Do You Hear It?” by Vicki Bradley
Purchased by Mickey & Richard Walker
“Summer Hills” by Bobbie Britt
Purchased by Tyler Horney & Holly Floyd
“Open House” by Nila Chamberlain
Purchased by Denis McCullough
“Blossom Tea Set” by Matt Gutschmit
Purchased by Mickey & Richard Walker
“Low Country” by Laura Harris
Purchased by Stuart Fulghum of KFS Design
“Fine Day for a Fox Hunt” by Joseph Hill
Purchased by Charlie & Terry Cook
“Resilience-Woman” by Marybeth Sandell
Purchased by Brownback & Thomasson CPAs
“Hanging Out” by Shannon Shreve
Purchased by Stuart Fulghum of KFS Design
“Tree Perspective” by Doug Yopp
Purchased by Floreen Maroncelli
To go back to the main Fine Arts Festival page, CLICK HERE.