Two awards were presented to the Foley High School student whose artwork was chosen for the 50th Art in the Park T-shirt. Tori Blackmon, currently a senior at Foley High School, was honored at a reception recently at the Foley Art Center. In attendance were Tori, her family members, Russ Moore, FHS Principal, Tracy Wilhelm, FHS Art Teacher, Joseph Chubb, Foley Art Center Director, Vickie Moore, Foley Art Center Board of Directors, along with Art in the Park committee members: Darrelyn Dunmore, Chloe Salinas and Kelly Crosby.
The first award was the establishment of the first annual Linda Koniar Emerging Artist Award. This recognition will be given to a Baldwin County student each year in conjunction with the annual Mother’s Day weekend art show, Art in the Park. This award winner will have their artwork featured on the Art in the Park t-shirts each year. The recognition is named after Linda Koniar, who has served as Chairman of Art in the Park for many years. Mrs. Koniar has a focused goal of supporting local children and their desire to express themselves through art.
The second recognition was given because this is the 50th Annual Art in the Park and that Tori is a senior. A $1,000 scholarship was donated to Tori from the Foley Art Center. The Board of Directors were proud to reward Ms. Blackmon for her spirit and artistic ability. The board is honored to play a small part in Tori’s decision to go to college this fall and grow her talents.
Tori Blackmon’s awards are notable because the Foley Art Center’s Art in the Park event is celebrating 50 years of supporting cultural enrichment in South Baldwin county.
Committee member Kelly Crosby’s comments included the following, “ The famous artist Degas once said, ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’ When I look at the beautiful butterfly that you created, Tori, I see playfulness and joy, renewal, and a sense of community. Your artwork reminds me of Foley and the growth and joy that our community embraces.”
Make plans to come down and help celebrate the 50th Art in the Park the first weekend in May Mother’s Day weekend at Heritage Park in Downtown Foley. For more information about the Festival call the Foley Art Center at (251) 943-4381.