Hutchinson Art Fair Celebrates Success with Awards and Community Support
June 2, 2025
The Hutchinson Art Fair once again demonstrated the vibrancy of Kansas's arts community with another successful year featuring strong attendance, enthusiastic community support, and an impressive showcase of artistic talent. This long-standing tradition has evolved significantly over the years, transforming from events held in various locations like Avenue A Park, Memorial Hall, and even The Hutchinson News parking lot into a premier cultural event backed by the Hutchinson Art Center's Board of Directors, staff, and dedicated volunteers.
Michael Schlyer emerged as this year's top winner, earning first place and a $500 prize for his outstanding work. The competition was fierce, with Dennis Flores of Bison Bead Jewelry capturing second place and $400, while Heike Kirk from Three Doors North secured third place along with $300. These main awards recognized the exceptional quality and creativity displayed by participating artists at this year's fair.
Beyond the primary competition, the fair honored several artists with special memorial and recognition awards. The Julie Chalfant Memorial Award of $500 went to Becka Jahelka, while Cathy Wilkins of Studio CW received the Marvel Senti Award worth $400. Additional $250 awards included the Peggy Livingston Memorial Award to Donovan Claassen of Unique Wood Pieces, the Winston & Shirley Schmidt Award to Melissa Oberle of Oberle's Wood, the Bob Ging Memorial Award to Bryce McCoy of Bryce McCoy Landscapes, and the Charlotte Summers Memorial Award to Virgil Penner.
Four artists received Awards of Merit, each accompanied by a $100 prize, recognizing their significant contributions to the fair. These honors went to Elizabeth Yutzy of Little Arrows Pottery, Phyllis Provost-Saas, Jocelyn Woodson, and Kathie Moore of Dragonfly Studio. The variety of recognition categories demonstrates the fair's commitment to celebrating diverse artistic mediums and acknowledging excellence across multiple disciplines.
Looking ahead, organizers have already scheduled next year's fair for Saturday, May 9, 2026, ensuring continuity for this beloved community tradition. The Hutchinson Art Center continues its mission throughout the summer with programming including the annual Kids Summer Art Camp and "Saturday Morning Artists" sessions for teens and adults. Current exhibitions feature "People - Places - Photography" by Chicago-based photographer Michael Bracey in the Main Gallery, showcasing scenes from Colombia, Ghana, and Liberia, while the Front Gallery displays "Flora & Fauna: Selections from the Permanent Collection." Additional summer exhibitions are planned, including "Figuratively Speaking" in late June and new works by Melinda McDaniel and Susan Meyer in July.
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