Barbara Benton of Salisbury has won the People’s Choice Award, given as part of the 2007 RCCC Invitational Exhibition art show.
The Rowan Cabarrus Community College student art exhibition was hosted and sponsored by the Rowan Arts Council Nov. 9 through Dec. 14, at the council’s gallery in Spencer. The viewing public voted Benton’s digital photograph, “Big John,” best in show.
Benton spent a day photographing John Carter, a local farmer, and captured his image in a moment of relaxation. Benton’s photograph earned her the People’s Choice Award and a $100 prize.
The RCCC Invitational Exhibition is a collaborative effort between the arts council and the college, with an emphasis on supporting local art students in their creative endeavors. More than 25 students displayed their work in the exhibition-double the number of the 2006 exhibition.
RCCC art instructors Jonathan Church and Jenn Gardner encouraged all interested students to apply to the call for entries.
Throughout the exhibition, viewers voted for the People’s Choice Award, and results were announced at the close of the show.
Benton is a retired educator and aspiring artist. In addition to photography, she paints and frequently exhibits her work. This is her second year winning a People’s Choice Award.
The North Carolina Arts Council provided the cash prize, with funding from the state of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information please contact the Rowan Arts Council or Rowan-Cabarrus Community College art instructors.
For more information about RCCC art offerings, visit www.rowancabarrus.edu.