Energen 2010 Art Competition Winners Announced

For Release: March 30, 2010
Information contact: Susan Delenne 205-326-1612

Energen announced the winners of its 11th annual art competition, The Wonders of Alabama Art, which celebrates Alabama artists.  James McManus, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energen Corporation will present the winning artists with their awards at a closing reception on April 11. 

John Kelley is the winner of the Energen Grand Prize Award and $7,500 for his work “Tera Rosa.”  Kelley is from Cottondale. 

Nancy Lloyd is the winner of the $3,000 Energen Resources Landscape award for her work “Last Light.”  Lloyd is from Birmingham. 

Clarence Stewart is the winner of the $3,000 Alagasco Wildlife Award for his work “Raccoon Clowns.”  Stewart is from Brewton.

Brad Robertson is the winner of the $3,000 Non-Representational Award for his work “Up to the Wall.”  Robertson is from Mobile.

Peggy Parker is the winner of the $3,000 Employee Choice Award for her work “The Comforter.”  Parker is from Birmingham. 

This year, two artists received honorable mention awards with a $250 cash prize.   Nancy Hartsfield was recognized for her work “Colory – Coral Reef.”  Hartsfield is from Montgomery.  Craig Gallaway was recognized for his work “Tree with Lights in It.”  Gallaway lives in Birmingham.   

This year’s judge was Donny Finley of Birmingham who is an elected signature member of the American Watercolor Society.  He has won more than 70 awards, and his art work has been featured in numerous books.  Finley’s painting “Fall Rainbow” was exhibited at the inaugural National Academy of Arts for the Parks. 

The 2010 Energen Art Competition broke all previous participation records.  There were 391 entries in the competition from a total of 223 artists.  Through a competition review process, 203 works were selected for the final round of judging and exhibition.  Artists from across the state entered the competition this year; of the 67 counties in the state there were entries from 32 different counties.

All of the selected art is now featured in a free exhibition at Energen Plaza in downtown Birmingham.  The art exhibition is open to the general public Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  The public exhibition will close Friday, April 9 at 5 p.m.   

The Wonders of Alabama Art has been featuring and recognizing Alabama artists for the past 11 years.  The five category winners become part of the permanent “Alabama Collection” displayed at Energen Plaza.  The Energen Art Competition is open to artists 18 years of age and older who currently live in Alabama or who have lived in the state.  Artwork must be original and must have been painted no more than three years prior to the date of the competition.  Eligible work must be two-dimensional and in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, pen and ink or mixed media.     

All proceeds received from the 2010 Energen Art Competition, The Wonders of Alabama Art, in addition to a contribution from Energen will go to The Crisis Center in Birmingham.

Energen Corporation is a diversified energy holding company with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama.  Its two lines of business are the acquisition and development of natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids onshore in North America and natural gas distribution in central and north Alabama.