Two Coast residents have taken top honours in a spectacular show of juried artwork at this year's Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival. Out of more than 100-plus entries, judges selected Coast newcomer Kathy Lewis for the award Best in Show for her woodworking piece, a finely crafted round coffee table with inlay. The public was invited to select their favourite item. The People's Choice Award went to Coralie Swaney for her sculpted polymer-clay, costumed doll, Goddess of the Wind.
This was the first year that organizers had given out cash awards. The money, drawn from a $1,400 Spirit of B.C. grant, was divided among the 18 winners.
In the Knitting and Crochet category, first place went to Andrea Korbus for West Coast and honourable mention to Theshini Naicker. In Mixed Media, first place went to Heather Apple for Tree Spirit. Honourable mention went to Helen McLachlan for her delightful rendering of a mouse in felted fleece and handspun yarn.
Kim McKenna took first in needlework and embroidery. Honourable mention went to Gerda Warren for Cedars. Quilting first place went to one of my personal favourites, Vivian Zuba's A Need for Acting Shady, in which the figure of a quilted man appears and disappears among the treed background depending on the viewer's perspective. Honourable mention went to Judy Ross for Remains of the Day.
In the Spinning and Weaving category, Gibsons Barby Paulus took the award for her four hand-painted scarves, each one representing a different element. Honourable mention went to Helen Nissle for Beachcombing. Local fashion designer Paula O'Brien's gorgeous Circus Pavelka gown won first place in Wearable Art while honourable mention went, once more, to Naicker for Night Skye.
In addition to winning Best in Show, Lewis also took first place in woodworking for her filing cabinet. Honourable mention went to Adrian Payne for his infant cradle. In a catchall category that made use of fibre, Doneal Fox took first for Love Appears as Life and Sara Jane Apple received honourable mention for her wall hanging, Elemental Rising.
The display, in the Elphinstone Secondary School library, ran from Wednesday through Satur-day and drew a constant stream of visitors.
