Thousands of art lovers braved gusty winds, rain, heat and humidity to make the 2013 Citizens Bank and Trust 42nd Annual Lake Wales Art Show a success.

“We had the best quality of artists in years,” said Pirjo Restina, art show chair. “Our committee chairs, volunteers and sponsors are a great team of seasoned professionals who know exactly what to do and did it flawlessly. We’ve already started planning next year’s show!”

After a soggy Art-B-Q for about 200 attendees on Friday night, Mar. 22, sunny skies were an answer to prayers on Saturday as

96 artists set up their booths, ready to sell art and compete for $22,500 in cash awards.

A count of the number of vehicles led to an estimated crowd of nearly 17,500 on Saturday and 7,000 on Sunday.

License plates were noted from 15 other states and Canada, and four other counties.

Winds were brisk and so were sales.

“Artists were very happy that so many people came prepared to buy artwork,” Pirjo added.

“We collected more than $11,000 in our Gift of Art Purchase Prize Program.

The total amount surpassed last year’s $8,000 and assures artists that they will sell art.”

Although it was too windy for Balloons and Beyond to tether a 70-foot-tall hot air balloon, crowds gathered to watch as

Kurt Peterson, Dave Stubbs and Don Kehoe filled the balloon with hot air and struggled with the lines to keep it under control.

Amber Qureshi was the lucky winner of the grand prize balloon flight for two and an overnight with breakfast at Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Country Inn.

Mark Ormond began judging at 9:30 a.m. Awards were presented by Pirjo and Citizens Bank and Trust CFO Tim Brown at 5 p.m. during a reception at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

The $3,500 Best of Show was awarded to Jason Hunt, who also won the $400 Helen Aufford Purchase Prize Award for his artwork on the “History of Citrus.”

The $2,500 Judge’s Award went to Judith Wood and David Price won the $2,500 Citizens Bank and Trust Award.

Awards of Excellence prizes of $1,000 

• Harry Welsch for clay;
• Jeff Eckert for drawing, graphics and digital;
• Marilyn Vaillancourt for jewelry;
• Rita Wickramasinghe for mixed media and fiber;
• Jeff Ripple for oil and acrylic painting;
• Barbara Vanderbilt for watercolor and pastel;
• Bill Sargent for photography;
• and Scott Anderson for sculpture, wood and glass.

Awards of Distinction prizes of $500

• Liu Wen-Mei for clay;
• David Hunter for drawing graphics and digital;
• Maya Konforti for jewelry;
• Rolly Ray Reel for mixed media and fiber;
• Edgar Reims for oil and acrylic painting;
• William Kwamena-Pott for watercolor and pastel;
• Brad Kelly for photography;
• and Steve and Linda Dinwiddle for sculpture, wood and glass.Awards of Merit of $250 
• Michael Everett for drawing, graphics and digital;
• Sharon and Bob Spry for jewelry;
• Carol Frye for mixed media and fiber;
• Richard Powers for oil and acrylic painting;
• Patricia Heyer for watercolor and pastel;
• Paul Stevens for photography;
• and Leland Williams for sculpture, wood and glass.

More rain and high winds on Sunday morning sent some of the artists packing, but sunshine and serious buyers returned by the afternoon until the show concluded at 4 p.m.

Schedule of events kept visitors busy all weekend:
Saturday, Mar. 23:
9 a.m. Patron’s Breakfast

Activities for general public
9:30 a.m.: Judging began
10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Show opened to the public
10 a.m.–noon: Singer/songwriter Bryan Rivers performed on acoustic guitar
12:30–3 p.m.: Entertainment by Free Time Jazz Band

1:20 p.m.: Artist talk/demo by Molly Doctrow, 2013 winner block printing
2 p.m.: Artist talk/demo by Rita Wickramasinghe, Southeast Asian Batik
2:40 p.m.: Artist talk/demo by David Price, 2013 winner for bronze sculpture
3:15–4 p.m.: Entertainment by Wiregrass Southern Gypsy Jazz Grass Jam Band

5–7 p.m.: Artist Award Ceremony and Reception for artists, volunteers and sponsors at Episcopal Church of The Good Shepherd

Riley, Curt and Lydia Blackburn enjoy playing with trains at the Bok Academy Children’s Tent on Saturday, Mar. 23.

Saturday, Mar. 23: Activities for Lake Wales Charter Schools Children’s Tent:

10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Children’s and middle school crafts with felt wallets, iPod cases, bracelets; instrument petting zoo; face painting
10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Robotics interactive display
2–3 p.m.: Steel drums performance

Sunday, Mar. 24: Activities for general public
7–9 a.m.: Continental breakfast for artists
10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Show opened to the public
10 a.m.–noon: Singer/songwriter Bryan Rivers performed on acoustic guitar
11 a.m.: Artist talk/demo by Rita Wickramasinghe, Southeast Asian Batik
12:30–3:30 p.m.: Entertainment by Free Time Jazz Band
1:20 p.m.: Artist talk/demo by David Price, 2013 winner for bronze sculpture
2 p.m.: Artist talk/demo by Molly Doctrow, 2013 winner block printing

Sunday, Mar. 24: Activities for Lake Wales Charter Schools Children’s Tent:
Noon–4 p.m.: Children’s and middle school crafts with felt wallets, iPod cases, bracelets; instrument petting zoo; face painting
Noon–2 p.m.: Robotics interactive display