KITE ART WINNERS ANNOUNCED
HARRISBURG, WHITAKER CENTER (August 31, 2006)—Whitaker Center today announced results of the KiteFest art competition. There were three categories for Lamppost Kites including The People’s Choice Awards, Open and the Scholastic Categories.
The People’s Choice Awards were based entirely on popularity. For three weeks, art lovers, kite enthusiasts and the public at large voted online for their favorite lamppost kites. The three kites receiving the most votes were:
First Place Kite ($1,000 to the artist)
E String! A String! D String! Kite String! by Cheryl Shipman
Sponsored by Gunn-Mowery LLC
Location: 500 block N 2nd St
Second Place Kite ($500 to the artist)
Koi Pond by Cindy Fry
Sponsored by The Zigmund Company, Ltd
Location: 200 block Chestnut St
Third Place Kite ($250 to the artist)
Communicate by Jim Mitchell
Sponsored by JPL Productions
Location: 200 Block Forster St
"What a thrill it has been to be part of KiteFest, said Cheryl Shipman, whose kite E String! A String! D String! Kite String! , won first place in the People’s Choice Awards. All of the kites are gorgeous, and some are truly spectacular. It really gave Harrisburg a "lift" to have such beautiful artwork all over town!"
Jim Mitchell’s kite, Communicate, placed third in the People’s Choice Awards. “Thanks to JPL, Whitaker Center, and all the sponsors for giving me the opportunity to participate in such a great event, said Mitchell. I think KiteFest is a great idea that really brightened up Harrisburg. I’ve enjoyed driving through the city this summer and being amazed at all the talent and imagination on display.”
Open and Scholastic Categories
In addition to the People’s Choice Awards, all Lamppost Kites were eligible for the Open Category; and artists 21 years of age or younger were eligible for the Scholastic Category. Kites were judged on the following criteria: artistic craft, the kite’s visual impact on the lamppost, and inventiveness.
Judges for the Open and Scholastic Categories included: Ed Nielsen, City of
Harrisburg, Director, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Special
Projects; Anita Blackaby, Director, State Museum of Pennsylvania; Barbara Dubs,
Capital BlueCross, Senior Director, Children’s Health Insurance Protection;
Arthi Subramaniam, Arts and Entertainment Editor, The Patriot-News; and Walter
Diehl, KiteFest Arts Coordinator, Whitaker Center.
Winners in the Open Category:
First Place ($1,000 to artist)
Midtown by Lawrence Valerio
Sponsored by The Patriot-News
Location: 1000 block Market St
Second Place ($500 to artist)
Franklin by Bryan Molloy
Sponsored by Moffit Heart & Vascular Group
Location: 800 block N Front St
Third Place ($250 to artist)
Phoenix with Lotus by Tammi Rodman
Sponsored by Rite Aid Corporation
Location: First block of N 2nd St
“I am glad to be a part of such a visible supporting event for the arts in Harrisburg,” said Bryan Molloy, who took second place in the Open Category. I look forward to working with Whitaker Center in the future.”
Winners in the Scholastic Category (artists 21 and under):
First Place ($500 to artist)
Primary Piano by Ashton Snyder
Sponsored by The Patriot-News
Location: 800 block Market St
Second Place ($250 to artist)
Apples of my Sky by Hannah Donnelly
Sponsored by Pennsy Supply
Location: 400 block N Front St
Third Place ($100 to artist)
Abstract by Brock Viering
Sponsored by Sovereign Bank
Location: 200 block Walnut St
“Congratulations to the prize winners! Selecting the winning kites was a difficult task, because there were so many excellent and stunning pieces to consider,” said Walter Diehl, KiteFest Arts Coordinator for Whitaker Center.
Those who have not had the opportunity to admire the 287 lamppost kites and 22 kite sculptures, still have a chance to see the sensational, soaring kite art through Sunday, September 10. To locate favorite kites in Harrisburg and Hershey, kite maps can be downloaded at www.whitakercenter.org or obtained inside Whitaker Center.
Surf the Wind, an interactive exhibit where guests can make and fly their own kites, test their mettle against a gale force wind simulator and more, is open in Harsco Science Center at Whitaker Center through Labor Day Weekend. For more information, please visit: www.whitakercenter.org
KiteFest is presented by Capital BlueCross and sponsored by M&T Bank with
media sponsor The Patriot-News.