Virginia Tech’s Reynolds Homestead and Bull Mountain Arts announced the winners of the annual Rock Spring Art Show on Sept. 11. The art show is open to participants in Patrick County and the surrounding counties in both Virginia and North Carolina, as well as any member of Bull Mountain Arts, regardless of residence.
With nearly 80 people in attendance for the presentations, awards were announced in eight categories, along with several community awards and Best in Show.
Best in Show was awarded to Karen Towns, a member of Bull Mountain Arts, for her textile piece, “Tobacco Barn.” The award was sponsored by Calliope, Circus of the Arts. Other awards were financially supported by Edd Martin & Associates Real Estate, First Community Bank, Patrick County Eye Associates and several anonymous donors.
Oil
3rd Lisa Garrett Cow Girl’s Dream – Dogs and Horses
2nd Joan Norman Chief Red Cloud
1st Donald Towns Wagon Iron
Honorable Mention
Donald Towns
Eternal Grassland
Acrylic
3rd Debbie Culler Yesterday
2nd Sarah Booze Mt. Mitchell
1st Mavel Vinova Muse Me!
Honorable Mention Carla Krietsch – Woolwine Autumn
Honorable Mention
Debbie Culler My Favorite Vase
Watercolor
3rd Rosalynn Arnold – Beyond the Sea (Turtle)
2nd Julie Gammons Highway 601
1st Susan Huskey Sun Rising – October 8th
Honorable Mention
Joan Norman Cowboy
Honorable Mention
Rosalynn Arnold
Vivienne’s Orchid
Drawing
3rd Karen Sigmon Hello
2nd Karen Sigmon Iris
1st Linda Park Trumpet Vine
2D Mixed Media
3rd Celeste Tsaklis – The Psychology of Wood
Chalk, and Wax
2nd Madison Freitag Cuttlefish
1st Jan Atkins No Child’s Play
Honorable Mention
Celeste Tsaklis
Fourteen Two
3D
3rd Maura Meggs Sic Semper Tyrannis
(Thus Always to Tyrants)
2nd Laura Mahaffey Summer Afternoon in Main
1st Karen Eggleston Swan Egg “Treasures”
Textiles
3rd Leslie Marsh Reynolds Homestead Rug
2nd Norma Bozenmayer Metamorphosis
1st Karen Towns Tobacco Barn
Glass
3rd John Erickson Land Before Immigrants
2nd Susan Kanode Motherhood
1st Steve Eanes Then and Now
The work was judged by two regional artists and art enthusiasts. Nell Fredericksen is a Virginia-based artist whose work is informed by both the natural world and her extensive exploration of artistic media, including metal, clay, glass, and jewelry design. She brings a unique perspective to art evaluation through a combination of artistic practice and a scientific background, which influences her understanding of form, materials, and creativity.
Fredericksen is affiliated with professional arts organizations including the Artisan Center of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Potters Guild, Round the Mountain, and the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
The second judge, who prefers to remain anonymous, studied art and art history in Europe and has been a practicing artist in multiple mediums for more than 30 years.
The Rock Spring Art exhibit will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 30. In addition, voting is open for the 2026 Rock Spring Art Show People’s Choice award.
Information about the exhibit can be found at reynoldshomestead.vt.edu.
