Gardnerville artist receives seven awards at state fair

Gardnerville artist, Pam Brekas, entered 10 of her photographs in the Nevada State Fair with very pleasing results. Out of her 10 entries, she garnered seven awards including a grand champion and a first-place award for a black-and-white photo in the "buildings" category showing reflections in a globe at Union Square in San Francisco. Brekas also received a first place in both "digitally enhanced" for a black-and-white study of a truck on the Mack Ranch in Minden and a black-and-white nature study she titled "Silhouette of Sweet Peas" as well as a first place in "mixed media."

She took a second place in "color photography of building": "Reflections in a Window in San Francisco," a second place color for "vacation attractions": "Peking Acrobats" and a second place for "color digital enhancement" with a photomosaic of a carousel horse.

"OK, so I've been throwing a lot of stuff against the wall, (entering shows, etc.). Some things stick and others don't," Brekas said. "So this is what I've done recently."

Brekas was accepted at the International Exposition of photography at the Oregon State Fair. "I've entered before but I was never juried into the show, often missing by one point," Brekas said. "This year I had one color photo of eucalyptus bark and a ladybug accepted. This show is really an international event and most winners are from China and India," she said. "I'm just thrilled that I got in. I have also submitted two photos of the Oregon State Fair for a book to be published about the fair."

Brekas has also been accepted to participate in the Tahoe Art League Art Expo at the Edgewood Golf Course which will be from noon to 9 p.m. daily Oct. 18-19. She will also participate in the Reno Soroptimist's Art, Autos and Authors show at the National Car Museum which will take place Nov. 3-4.

"I've sent work to California for two juried shows in September and October. I have friends who take my work to the shows for me down there," Brekas said. "Because of that, I've won some awards and sold some art there. I can also keep a little presence in the area I moved from," she said.

"I'm sending in slides and information to Sierra Arts to be considered for a solo show in Reno next year. I already have a show in September-November 2007 at the Vision Place in Reno," Brekas said. "Hey, I just have to keep doing it."

Brekas is also proud of her "Bad Biker Bear" she entered in the Bears by the Lake a CeleBEARtion." It is displayed at the Horizon, No. 8 on the map and will be auctioned off for charity at the end of September along with the other 49 bears done by area artists.

A Pam Brekas workshop will be offered at Artistic Viewpoints Nov. 11. Her workshops are invigorating with her ability to awaken the "inner child" and teach her students how to have fun playing and remember there are no rules in art.

For more information about Pam Brekas or the Brekas workshop call Artistic Viewpoints 783-0633.