The City of Carmel recently played host to a vibrant display of artistic talent with the 11th annual Carmel on Canvas plein air event painting the town and its corridors in a spectrum of colors and strokes. On September 5 and 6, the sidewalks of Carmel witnessed a remarkable gathering of visionaries from across the Midwest and even farther corners, with 60 artists setting up their easels to capture the city’s essence en plein air.
At this year’s competition, talent across various skill levels came under the scrutiny of Carmel artist and educator Irina Smulevitch, who held the mantle of judge, according to a news release by the City of Carmel. The results saw Catherine LaPointe Vollmer of Pottsdam, N.Y. clinch the Grand Prize/Best of Show with a sizable $3,000 award, while other professionals like Jeannie Hilfiker and Scott Sullivan claimed the subsequent top spots, securing $2,000 and $1,500 respectively.
In the non-professional ranks, Carmel’s own Bill Bernard emerged victorious, possibly adding a local flair to his palette that resonated with the judges. Further stirring the competitive spirit, the teen division was led by Ella Guo, another Carmel resident, showcasing that age was but a number in the domain of creativity with her first-place triumph. The younger participants were not left behind, with merit winners Julian Cao and Alison Zhang making a mark in the youth division.
As part of a unique opportunity offered by Carmel on Canvas, artists also competed for Purchase Awards, capturing scenes of businesses who in turn purchase the winning art pieces. David Seward of Zionsville took home a $400 prize for his portrayal of Fringe & Form, while Brad Fields from Fishers added to his winnings with a $300 prize from Pure Green.
