36th Annual Sculpture Celebration Winners Announced

The Caldwell Arts Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 36th Annual Sculpture Celebration as judged by John D. Powers of Knoxville, Tennessee. Held on September 10, 2022 at the Broyhill Walking Park in Lenoir, NC, sculptors from as far away as New York and Pennsylvania competed for a total of $11,000 in cash prizes. This event was funded by generous sponsors and by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Best in Show ($3000): "Sentinel I" by James Darr of Swannanoa, NC

First Place ($2000): "Overpowering Burden" by Stefan Bonitz, aka Steebo, of Black Mountain, NC

Second Place ($1500): "Cosmic Dancer" by John Ross of Morganton, NC

Third Place ($1000): "Across the Universe" by Beau Lyday of Valdese, NC

Judge’s Merit Award (five awards @ $500 ea.)

"Earth Mother" by Nicholas Batounis of Oak Island, NC
"Marketplace" by Joseph Bigley of Lenoir, NC
"Gaze into Me" by Niki Hildebrand of Lenoir, NC

"Soul Dimension" by Fred Mead of Forest City, NC
"Socially Distant Suspension" by Jeff Menzer of Asheville, NC

Honorable Mention Award (five awards @ $100 ea.)

"Bird Man II" by George Cadell of Bakersville, NC

"Box Store" by Sean Matthews of Mechanicsburg, PA
"Outer Reach" by Harry McDaniel of Asheville, NC
"Luna Moth" by Linda Pannullo of Asheville, NC
"Turning the World Upside Down" by Amanda Szot of Boone, NC

People’s Choice, Professional Category ($500)
Courtesy of the Stevens Family Foundation

"Gaze into Me" by Niki Hildebrand of Lenoir, NC

Visit www.caldwellarts.com to see photos of this year’s winners, and contact the Caldwell Arts Council at 828-754-2486 or [email protected] with any questions.