UA announces annual art contest winners

By Caroline Rosacker

Umbrella Arts is pleased to announce the first, second and third place winners of the 2022 Umbrella Arts Sculpture Contest "Butterflies of Freedom." 

"Umbrella Art members would like to thank all who participated in the 2022 sculpture contest," commented member Diane Thiese.  "All entries can be seen on the Umbrella Arts Facebook page. Please take the time to stop and see their beautiful work." 

Twelve individuals or groups submitted entries to this year's contest:

• Nancy McClellan -           Yard display, 410 N. River Park Drive

• Brandie Tomkins - Butterfly photo-op cutout Chamber of Commerce deck

• St. Mary’s Art Class               Butterfly inspired stained glass in classroom window. 

•Catherine and Casey Stumpf - sidewalk art 

• River Living Center - Textile butterfly art in front entrance

• Bruce Bryant - Song "Fly, Fly Butterfly"                     

•The Guttenberg Press - Newsprint butterflies in office window

•Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics - Metal sculpture,                    near hospital entrance

•Karen Kulper - Quilted wall hanging,  Guttenberg Public Library        

• Pat Peck - Butterfly painting, Esser's Clothing window

• Sue and Molly Anderson - Yard display,                          605 South Third Lane

• Molly Anderson - Poem, on Umbrella Arts Facebook page

•Guttenberg Care Center - Bulletin board display

Winners

First: 

• Bruce Bryant – song,  "Fly, Fly Butterfly." 

"Bruce's song was beautifully performed at a Friday evening River of Music concert," said Thiese.  "His song inspires us to understand nature and the beauty we get to experience each year because of the work the Monarchs do to migrate and return."

Second: 

• Catherine and Casey Stumpf family - Sidewalk art. 

"As we know sidewalk chalk art can only be displayed for a short period of time due to weather conditions, but it was a beautiful whimsical piece that inspired a lot of people as they walked by," noted Thiese. "It inspires us to remember the largest personal benefit of creating is the process." 

Third:

Karen Kulper, quilted wall hanging on display at the Gutenberg Public Library.

* * *

Several of the entries were accompanied by inspiring, explanatory words. 

  • Nancy McClellan – "The light to lead us out of the darkness of the world to a new, transformed world full of change and hope."

• Brandie Tomkins –  "Spread your wings and fly."  

• Sue and Molly Anderson – "We give our hopes and prayers to the butterflies of freedom, especially now when some freedoms are being taken away". 

• The Guttenberg Press "Our window —  featuring newsprint butterflies —  reminds us all that one of the fundamental pillars of democracy is freedom of the press, a First Amendment right that creates a government that is accountable to its citizens. The red, white and blue sign also reminds us to be vigilant so that freedom of the press doesn’t become an 'extinct species' — the fate of some butterfly species."

• Molly Anderson – "My poem is about change, growth, and our ability to strive to be whatever we choose as well as be able to go as far as our limits will take us, very similar to the evolving lifestyle of a butterfly."

Thiese concluded, "Thanks to all who participated. We have loved to see your entries and hear your inspiration.  We look forward to another challenge in 2023, so stay tuned."