Artists’ work to be displayed on billboards throughout Berks County
Reading, PA—Berks Arts Council announced the winners of its 2018 Fast Lane Art competition at an Unveiling Event held Friday, February 2, at the Crowne Plaza Reading. Three student and three professional winners were selected from 220 submissions. Meg Davis and Jeff Copus, founders of Harrisburg’s Sprocket Mural Works, acted as jurors.
Davis and Copus chose six pieces for display on billboards throughout Berks County, courtesy of Land Displays. Two People’s Choice Award winners, selected using Facebook “likes,” will be displayed on digital billboards. Additionally, the Fast Lane Art Committee chose a piece from each participating school to be displayed on digital billboards in the coming months. All winning artwork was revealed at the Unveiling Event.
“The pieces were extremely difficult to choose,” shared Davis. “There was such an amazing pool of talent to choose from!”
“The final selections are beautifully executed,” shared committee chair Jim Landrigan, owner of Land Displays. “I look forward to showcasing the work of these talented artists in our community.”
The Grand Prize student submission received the Alma Woods Memorial Award. The Jack Coggins Memorial Award was awarded for the Grand Prize professional/adult submission. The Alma Woods & Jack Coggins Memorial Awards were created by the late Alma Woods to support artist awards in Berks County. Freedom Auto Group supports additional cash prizes for second and third prize submissions in both categories.
Student Artists
Grand Prize – Alma Woods Memorial Award
“Laura’s Feather”
Laura Berry
Daniel Boone Area High School
Second Prize
“Timmy”
Joseph Guiliano
Daniel Boone Area High School
Third Prize
“Frog in A Can”
Christian Scott
Wyomissing Area Jr./Sr. High School
Professional/Adult Artists
Grand Prize – Jack Coggins Memorial Award
“Abby Road”
Cheryl Elmo
Second Prize
“Deep Seeing”
Kris Jackson
Third Place
“Looking for A Fight”
Steve Fabian
In addition to the Unveiling Event, Berks Arts Council and Freedom Auto Group have collaborated for a special student exhibition at Freedom Auto Group in Hamburg from February 5 through March 9. Additional prizes will be distributed at a student and teacher art appreciation event on February 20, including Freedom of Expression Prizes for school art departments in the amounts of $1000, $500, and $200. There will also be a Freedom to Create student cash prize of $100.
Fast Lane Art began in 2008 in partnership with Land Displays to build awareness of the artistic talent in Berks County and to encourage people to appreciate and purchase original art. After a three-year hiatus, the competition was revived in 2014 with a renewed focus on student art. Freedom Auto Group became a sponsor in 2016 as a way to encourage young artists and support the arts in area schools.
The mission of Berks Arts Council is to cultivate, support, and promote the arts in our community through collaboration, education, and presentation. In addition to Fast Lane Art, Berks Arts Council presents the Bandshell Concert Series, Berks Jazz Fest, Pagoda Awards, and Reading Blues Fest, administers the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Re-Granting Program, and provides art exhibition and marketing opportunities for member artists. Visit www.BerksArts.org for more information.
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