First, the Art Attack winners ...

In part, at least, but I didn't get the names of Youth Division winners written down --- and the powers that be moved too fast after approximately $1,500 in prizes had been awarded Saturday afternoon, so I'll round those names up another day.

In case you missed it, Art Attack was a week-long celebration of the arts sponsored by Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street in partnership with the Lucas County Arts Council. Approximately 30 artists displayed their works in businesses and professional offices in the Main Street District and visitors were encouraged to tour the exhibits and vote for their favorites. Cash prizes were made possible by 14 sponsors, who I'll list at the end. And the whole event was a smashing success.

The eight Peoples Choice Award winners, each of whom received a check, were announced Saturday afternoon as the Council's Fall Arts Festival was drawing to a close at the Freight House. 

Cathy Donner's rooster atop a pump was voted first-place winner in the Adult Division with Ashley Bedford's multi-media clay mask triptych placing second. That's Cathy at right above and Ashley, at left, with a portion of the triptych. When this photo was taken, we thought third-place winner Ron Meyer had left the building, so the photo of his work (at left) depicting an abandoned house was expected to stand alone. A ceramic flask by Andrew Linderman received honorable mention, but he was unable to be present Saturday.

Then it turned out that Ron hadn't left the building at all, so we turned the art works around in an attempt to better cope with late afternoon light streaming in through tall Freight House windows and took the winner photo again with (from left) Cathy, Ashley and Ron.

Here are a few of the powers that be who helped make the Art Attack possible (from left): My favorite fabric artist Meg Prange, who led the team of working artists assisting with the event; Kris Patrick, Chariton Main Street program coordinator, who had a major part in facilitating it; and Karen Wilker, Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street board president, who wrote the checks.

This all would not have been possible with out our great sponsors: Art Fan Presenting Sponsor Johnson Machine Works; Ribbon Sponsors Great Western Bank, Hy-Vee, Mosaic and Midwest Heritage Bank; and Program Sponsors Demichelis Law Firm, Chariton Rotary Club, Eastridge Animal Center, K Threlkeld Insurance, Harbor House Christian Store, The Sampler, Kiwanis Club of Chariton, Adcock Real Estate and Indian Hills Community College.

There's no better investment than the arts and I'll bet this event will be back, bigger and better, next year.