Bank beefs up support for the arts

As if the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival earlier in the month didn’t do enough to endear Boone County National Bank to the community, last weekend BNCB hosted a celebration of the visual arts as well.

In conjunction with the 2007 Columbia Festival of the Arts, BNCB and the Columbia Art League sponsored the 48th Annual Boone County Art Show in the bank’s lobby, featuring 260 pieces in multiple media by 172 amateur, student and professional Boone County artists.

First-place winners in the juried show included Naomi Sugino for professional painting, Cody A. Davis for non-professional painting, Babette Langeneckert for non-professional drawing, Rich Hoeppner for sculpture, Norleen Nosri for ceramics, Mary Ruppert-Stroescu for fiber and Nancy Brown for non-professional work in other media.

The Boone County Specialty Award went to Laura Pintel for her painting “Chickory,” depicting an autumnal Boone County scene, and Rich Hoeppner won the Purchase Award; his sculpture will be added to the bank’s permanent collection. The Popular Choice Award, determined by show attendees’ votes, went to Diane Chappell, who also won first place in professional “other media” for her mosaic vase.

But it was Columbia artist Mike Sleadd who stole the show. Not only did his piece “My Demon” win first place for professional drawing; he also was the subject of fellow artist Jane Mudd’s painting “Mike,” which took third place in professional painting.

Many of the pieces will remain on display at Boone County National Bank through the end of October.