The 2025 Regional Arts Show, hosted by Orange City Arts, has come to a close, and the award winners have been announced. This year’s exhibit featured an optional theme, Stewards of Creation, which focused on humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The show was judged by a panel of two jurors, Amy Williams of Northwestern College and Roberta Pottebaum of MOC-Floyd Valley High School. They selected the winners based on artistic excellence, originality, and how effectively the work communicated the artist’s vision, especially in light of the Stewards of Creation theme.
Winners of the Stewards of Creation Theme
• Best in Show (themed): Kaarina VanBerkum for her mixed media piece “Choking Chinook II”
• Honorable Mention: Yuliia Popova for her mixed media piece “Floral Fantasies”
Kaarina VanBerkum, a mixed media artist from Lynden, Washington, was awarded Best in Show for her piece “Choking Chinook II.” VanBerkum’s work was inspired by her West Coast upbringing and environmental awareness. The jurors praised VanBerkum’s ability to effectively communicate her vision and artistic excellence. Her piece was chosen for its unique blend of textures and colors that evoke a sense of the natural world.
Winners of the Non-Themed Category
• Best in Show (non-themed): Judy Thompson for her watercolor piece titled “Quilted Prairie”
• Honorable Mention: Yuliia Popova (same as above)
Judy Thompson, an artist from rural northwest Iowa, was awarded Best in Show for her watercolor piece “Quilted Prairie.” Thompson has lived in the area for over 35 years and draws artistic inspiration from the region’s big skies and native grasses. The jurors praised Thompson’s ability to capture the beauty of the natural world through her art. Her piece was chosen for its use of color and texture that evoke a sense of the prairie landscape.
Awarded Artists
- Laura Snyder
- Yuliia Popova
Laura Snyder, an elementary art educator from Council Bluffs, Iowa, was recognized for her digital photograph “Then Sings My Soul.” Snyder has 24 years of experience in teaching art and has developed a passion for photography. Yuliia Popova, a native of Ukraine, was recognized for her mixed media piece “Floral Fantasies.” Popova has worked as an art teacher and visual arts methodologist, and her piece was chosen for its fine detail and symbolic expression.
Exhibition Details
| Exhibition Date | Exhibition Location |
|---|---|
| May 3 | Northwestern College’s DeWitt Theatre Arts Center |
| Number of Pieces | Over 30 pieces |
The art show featured work by artists from Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, showcasing creativity, storytelling, and technical excellence. The exhibition was held at Northwestern College’s DeWitt Theatre Arts Center, and it was a great opportunity for art enthusiasts to come together and appreciate the work of local and regional artists.
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Quote from the Jurors
Amy Williams, juror: “The Stewards of Creation theme was a great opportunity for us to see how artists interpret the natural world and our relationship with it.”
Roberta Pottebaum, juror: “We were impressed by the diversity of media and techniques used by the artists. It was a challenging but rewarding experience.”
Conclusion
The Orange City Arts Regional Arts Show has once again proven to be a celebration of creativity and artistic excellence. The award winners announced this year were chosen for their artistic excellence, originality, and ability to effectively communicate their vision, especially in light of the Stewards of Creation theme. The exhibition was a great success, and we look forward to seeing the work of these talented artists in the future. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.
