By STEVEN PARK

Special Correspondent

At the conclusion of a three-day show, the Valley Art Association reported having great attendance at the Sunday evening, Feb. 26 finale reception.

The show was hosted at the Bianchi Community Center in Oakdale, running Friday through Sunday, Feb. 24 through 26.

Association members said they were very thankful for the sponsorship of The City of Oakdale, many articles in local papers including Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon in the local area to promote the show as well as in other periodicals, and many donations from area vendors and individuals for the silent auction.

Oakdale Mayor Cherilyn Bairos presented the Mayor’s Award to Jamie Showers for his watercolor titled “Flagship Oakdale”. The painting of the A.L. Gilbert grainery has a special place in the mayor’s heart, she related, because the Gilbert family supported her family’s move to the area with 200 head of cattle when they had hardly any money and were just trying to get established in the area.

Jamie Showers also came in First Place for the Artists’ Choice Award for “City of Memories”. Additional artists were awarded the same award: Two of them went to Joan Cardoza for “Remembering the Past” and “Su Lyn” while Javier Rangel was recognized for “Unforgettable Robin” and Eliseo Vazquez for “Young Artist”.

President James Tracey awarded Bradley Pultz the People’s Choice Award for his shadow box three-dimensional “Black Tip Shark”.

There were over 100 pieces of artwork and one of the entrants was Roger Aguayo, who was a former scholarship recipient. He went on to gain his Bachelor’s Degree and has returned to Oakdale creating murals and creating electronic graphic design art.

Valley Art Association met their goals for their Art Scholarship Fund with the help of many members and fees to enter the contest.