By RUTH RUSSELL

For the Renton Reporter

The Renton Annual Art Show, part of IKEA Renton River Days, drew 271 entries – from amateur to professional artists — in its 50th year of competition. The juried show displayed approximately two-thirds of the entries. The collection, available for purchase, showcased works in sharpie and pen, watercolor in ink, acrylic, ink and acrylic, watercolor and gouache, watercolor alone, and oil.

Five top winners were chosen from three categories. Main Show Awards recipients were Bonnie Cargol for “Italian View,” painted in watercolor, and Donna Jean Perry’s collage “Lacemaker’s Art.” Both artists received $500. Little Gallery Awards went to “Out to Lunch,” a mixed media painting by Carla Michaelis. Top winners for Student Show Awards were 8-year-old Tyler Hoben for his oil pastel “_ at First Sight” and fourth-grader Sarah Doohan’s “Paper Crane.” Student Show Awards is open to students age 16 and under. This year’s youngest participant was a 3-year-old preschool student.

Visitors viewing the artwork were treated to an array of artistic abilities and forms of expression. Topics ranged from a bold watercolor of a race jockey mounted on a horse surrounded with hues of blues and reds, to a painting of a tulip with petals formed by vibrant deep reds and edges etched in yellow frosting-like fine brushstrokes. The sounds of instrumental music graced the air as young and old strolled among the paintings.

Thirteen-year-old Mason Andrew and his 11-year-old brother Maxwell enjoyed the scene. “The music’s nice. It’s well set up,” Mason said. Along with the music and paintings, Maxwell also liked the way the room was designed. The brothers were especially interested in “Another Place Another Space,” painted by their aunt Billie Andrew. Mason and Maxwell attended the show with John Andrew, Billie’s brother, and their grandmother, Jewel Andrew.

Jewel Andrew started attending the art show nearly 10 years ago when the show was held in the Sears shopping mall, where Fred Meyer is now located.

Eric Wittmann, currently living in France and visiting her parents in Kennydale, stopped by Renton Community Center after hearing about Renton River Days. “I’m really impressed,” she said. “I love the children’s art and I think it’s a wonderful atmosphere with the music.”

RUTH RUSSELL is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.