Abound Credit Union Celebration of the Arts

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February 28 to April 17, 2026

Closed March 16- March 21 for Spring Break

The Kentucky Museum presents their annual juried art exhibit, which is truly a celebration of this region’s art. Generously sponsored by Abound Credit Union, any Kentucky resident over the age of 18 and living within 65 miles of the KY Museum was eligible to enter a piece of their original artwork created within the last two years. Monetary awards were given in ten categories as well as for Best of Show, the Purchase Award, the Student Purchase Award, the World's Greatest Studio Tour Merit Award, and the Artworks Merit Award.

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Award Winners

will be announced at our Opening Reception on February 27 from 6 to 8 pm

 

Ceramics and Glass

First Place

Jenna Neal
Zulíjin Jar

Sponsored by Kate Hudepohl 

Second Place

Emma Durham
Adam

Sponsored by Brent & Holly Oglesbee

Third Place

3rd Ceramics and Glass
Robert Brigl
Who’s the Clown in Black Face

Sponsored by Deanna M. Jenkins

 

Drawing and Illustration

First Place

Jazlyn Buchanan
Hysteria

Sponsored by Charles & Carolyn Hardcastle

Second Place

Mark Ford
The Garden

Sponsored by Ann Ferrell, in memory of Pam Ryals

Third Place

A. Loyd C.
Baby Mine

Sponsored by Alla Gilbert, in memory of Christopher & David Gilbert

 

Fiber Arts

First Place

Beth Hester
Pieced

Sponsored by Mike & Leslie Nichols, in memory of Jacqui Lubbers

Second Place

McKayla Cash
Phyllis

Sponsored by Kate Hudepohl 

Third Place

Cindy Houston
Untitled

Sponsored by Lyda Astrove

 

Graphic Design and Digital Art

First Place

Kelly Miller
Ground Beef

Sponsored by Sharon Kreke

Second Place

Noah Hernandez
If you don’t wanna die, then don’t drop that sword

Sponsored by Cheryl Kirby-Stokes

Third Place

Zachary Ballard
Landscape 38

Sponsored by Rick & Carol DuBose

 

Mixed Media

First Place

Sheila Flener
Artist Book #59

Sponsored by Brent Oglesbee

Second Place

Molly Phelps
My Natural Dreamscape

Sponsored by Crystal Bohlander

Third Place

Aaron Yeager
I Fall to Pieces

Sponsored by Sharon Kreke in memory of Sharon Wassom

 

Painting

First Place

Vi Mathis
Impressions

Sponsored by Ray Buckberry

Second Place

Gary Bewley
Glorious Takeoff

Sponsored by Anna Jo Johnson, in memory of Ann T. Travelstead & Dr. Jim Johnson

Third Place

3rd Painting
Angie Yarano
Blind eye

Sponsored by Sharon Kreke

 

Photography 

First Place

Jason Reagan
Between Us

Sponsored by Connie & Tom Foster

Second Place

Tracey Bivins Helm
Waiting, watching. Watching, waiting.

Sponsored by Tom & Portia Pennington

Third Place

Gary Hughes
Doorways to Our Past

Sponsored by Ann Ferrell

 

Printmaking

First Place

Emma Cox
Emmy Lou & Daddio

Sponsored by Scott Gilbert & Beth Hester

Second Place

Evelyn Hileman
Untitled

Sponsored by Tom & Portia Pennington

Third Place

Jennifer Sims
Past Perceptions

Sponsored by Beth Hester & Scott Gilbert

 

Sculpture

First Place

Mark Whitley
The Face of Revolution

Sponsored by Carol & Guy Jordan, in memory of their mothers, Miriam Herin & Joanne Canzano 

Second Place

Anna Rafalowski
Press-On Terrazzo

Sponsored by Yvonne Pektus & CJ Johanson

Third Place

Addie Cundiff
Just A Pinch

Sponsored by Deanna Jenkins

 

Watercolor

First Place

Jay Dougherty
This quiet dust

Sponsored by Drs. Sam & Mary Evans

Second Place

Steven Clay
Coming out of the shadows

Sponsored by Richard & Leslie Weigel 

Third Place

Samuel Hunt
View From My Studio Window

Sponsored by Lynn & Claude Robertson 

 

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Student Scholarships provided by:
Sharon Kreke
McWhorter Chiropractic, LLC
Alla Gilbert, in memory of Christopher & David Gilbert
Scott Gilbert & Beth Hester
Lyda Astrove, in honor of Nancy Richey, WKU Special Collections
Ray Buckberry Jr.
George & Laurie Kwok
Dr. Robert & Mrs. Linda Pulsinelli, in memory of Sharon Wassom
Drs. Sam & Mary Evans
Marilyn Anderson
Donna Lile, in memory of Sharon Wassom
Tom & Portia Pennington
Anna Jo Johnson, in memory of Ann T. Travelstead & Dr. James S. Johnson
Brent & Holly Oglesbee
Yvonne Petkus & C.J. Johanson