Artists can now enter the 2024 AMERICAN ART AWARDS
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20 VOTING ART COLLECTORS HAVE DECIDED WINNING WORKS.
WE EMAILED WINNING ARTISTS AND ARE RELEASING 75+ ARTICLES.
Mitchell Antesky – Toledo Ohio. Mitchell’s life long passion for art was deeply influenced by his grandfather, an amateur artist. As a child, Mitch developed an appreciation for architecture, drawings, paintings and sculptures.
In the midst of the pandemic, Mitch and his husband Scott purchased the Toledo Lamp Company, a micro business in an abandoned warehouse specializing in handcrafted industrial style gas line pipe lamps, often with a steampunk twist. They saw an opportunity to support the art community highly impacted by the lack of festival and shows to sell art in Toledo. They began leasing five additional working studio shops to local artists and dedicating two hundred feet of wall space in the common area to over fifty rotating artists and their work. The shops became a ritual stop for visitors and locals alike who would browse the galleries weekly.
The Anteskys continue to offer over thirty local artists and entrepreneurs the opportunity to consign their art, ranging from acrylic and oil paintings to mixed mediums, hand-cut paper designs and more. Mitch believes that every artist, regardless of skill level, has a their own unique way of transmitting thoughts and visions onto a canvas, no matter the form, and their deep desire to create and tell a wordless story is what inspires their art. toledolampcompany.com
Alec Wilder – Los Angeles / Las Vegas / New Orleans. Former Paris model and ad executive, now real estate mogul and restaurant owner. “In France, New York and Hollywood, I have always gravitated to artists, and being a nurturing personality, I help as many as I can. I am directly responsible for selling at least 10 paintings for Thom Bierdz and I have collected about 8 Bierdz’s for myself. I appreciate all genres of art and am drawn to painted faces with something to say – emotional work – and also abstract art. But I like all styles and have all styles in my homes and restaurants.” ARTICLE
Eddie Dyer – Los Angeles / Las Vegas / New Orleans. “My family owns a chain of restaurants, and I head the business end. Collecting art is a welcome respite from the headache of never-ending work. I prefer contemporary and abstract art, but my husband and I collect and appreciate all styles. I am in awe of the creativity from artists in Orleans. I respond to colors and textures.” ARTICLE
Michelle Foglesong Wilson – Las Vegas. My interest in art began about 20 years ago after meeting my husband David and spending time in Europe where I gained appreciation for impressionist work. One of our most cherished works is a piece by Jacques Emile that he painted in the early 1830’s as part of the Barbizon school. Thom Bierdz also has a prominent place in our collection, and in more recent years we have added prominent rock artists Ruby Mazur, Michael Godard, and Keith Haring.
Thomas Zora – Las Vegas. (text coming)
Ron Lundin – Naples, Florida / Chicago, Illinois / Vail, Colorado. Graduating as an art major from Illinois State University, Ron continues his education studying abroad around Europe. With a natural ability as an artist and sculptor, art became more than an education. It became a passion that shaped Ron’s life. Moving from Chicago to Naples, Florida, he started Lundin Interiors which rapidly grew into an Award-Winning architectural interior design firm. Recognized as one of the top designers in Florida, his work has been heralded in national and international publications. Ron’s business exploded in Vail, Colorado, as well – the location of his second home. He has done interiors across the United States and in Europe. Each interior that he creates is carefully depicted through the eyes of an artist; his canvas being each client’s home. To Ron, art is not only part of his career but also, he has a deep appreciation on a personal level. His collection includes many genres from assorted artists, including paintings from Don Kettleborough and numerous bronze sculptures from Walt Horton.
Paul Iacono – Chicago. (text coming)
Karen Valentine – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), took Art Courses/Classes at The Chicago Art Institute and The Milwaukee Art Museum. Through a career that is approaching four decades of Performing and Writing, I have covered, promoted, and lobbied the importance of the Arts. The Arts are in me – my soul, my blood stream, it speaks to me. When I wonder upon a Person who can communicate to me on that “Special Level” it’s the Ultimate Gift! My Foundation, The Valentine Fund for The Arts, Culture, and The Humanities, provides gifts and awards to Outstanding Arts Programs, Art Therapy programs, Performing and Applied Arts that Excel or have the potential of Excelling. ARTICLE
Jan Gold – Roseville, California Jan’s passion for art comes from her motto in life – “does it spark joy”? She has traveled to many places around the world acquiring unique pieces. Her art collection includes paintings, wood, metal, stone, and other diverse media. Jan has designed a home rich in beauty and attention to detail. Using this love of unique art, she helps many others design their homes décor that are truly inspiring. Always creating through that lens of “does it spark joy,” Jan knows what works with what. “Making a difference in these wonderful artists lives is an honor that I take very seriously.”
Alan McMullen – Fannettsburg, Philadelphia (text coming)
Floyd M. Elwell, III – Rancho Mirage, California. Interior designer and avid art collector. His collection of paintings, sculpture and photography includes important works by Andy Warhol, Lee Krasner, Henry Moore and William Wegman. Floyd, and his husband, Christopher Clinton Conway, now live in Rancho Mirage, California, with their two dogs.
Celeste Miller – St. Petersburg, Florida (text coming)
Brian Townley – Waco, Texas. Brian is a real estate executive who has also made a name for himself as an internationally recognized speaker and published author. His two award-winning books on professional development have inspired countless individuals to embrace their unique narratives and lead lives of creativity and purpose. In 2024, Brian plans to release a memoir titled “Live LIFE as a Story You Want to be Told.” In addition to his real estate and professional development achievements, Brian has a passion for collecting original art.
Jason Stuckless – Toronto, Ontario. Executive producer of the hit web series Old Dogs & New Tricks. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, moved to Ottawa, Ontario (Canada’s capital city), where he studied Mass Communications at Carleton University and received a certification in Fundraising Management from Algonquin College. His entire career has been spent within non-profit and charitable organizations, most recently at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Development in Major Gifts Acquisitions. He and wife, Rebecca, are content creators with an emphasis on film and cuisine. Partial to Realism within art with vibrant colors despite the format.
Andrew Cameron & Marcus Hamilton – Australia. We both subscribe to the theory that you buy art for love. We both come from artistic families – Andrew’s sister is an artist as was Marcus’ brother. Prior to a career change Marcus was an award winning writer. Our shared interest in collecting art started in San Francisco when we were admiring an Andy Warhol piece. Before we knew it we were seated in a private viewing room, gloves on! Realizing our shared enthusiasm and love of art that day was our starting point. We ultimately extracted ourselves that day with pieces by Erte and Warhol. Since then we have welcomed art works, forming an eclectic collection from artists around the world including Francis Bacon, Takeshi Murakami, Charming Baker, Donald Friend, John Olsen, and Sybil Craig. A favourite piece with significant emotional attachment is Thom Bierdz’s piece titled – ‘Actress’.
Jay H. Brewer – Orlando, Florida. Longtime art lover, studied six years of art in middle and high school, and influenced by teacher Mrs. Ann Cherones, pursued art appreciation in college. Favorite master artists: Rembrandt and Michelangelo. Favorite museums: The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, The Louve, and The Museum Of London.
Judi Evans – Los Angeles, California. Judi began her acting career in daytime in 1983 when she was cast as Beth Raines on Guiding Light. In 1984, when she was 19, she won an Emmy for that role. In 1986, she joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis. In 1991, she took over the role of Paulina Cory Carlino on Another World, a role she would continue until the show ended in 1999. In 2003 she rejoined Days of our Lives as Bonnie Lockhart, and in 2006 she was playing dual roles as the show brought Adrienne Kiriakis back. In 2007 she was again nominated for an Emmy for her dual roles. In 2020 the show killed off Adrienne Kiriakis, but she currently plays Bonnie Lockhart Kiriakis.
Aimee Unakis – Georgetown, Illinois (text coming)
Michael Gregg Michaud – Los Angeles, California. His interest in art began when he was a child. His mother was a commercial artist, and she introduced him to American art during numerous summer visits to The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine. His most distinctive memory was a visit to the Winslow Homer home and studio in Prout’s Neck, Maine. The artist lived and worked on his seascapes there from 1884 until his death in 1910. Homer’s final painting, unfinished, is still on his easel in the studio. Michael began collecting art – California Modernism, Chicano, and ceramics – when was a teenager. He’s an award-winning photographer, and best-selling author. His nine books include biographies of actors Alan Sues, Diane McBain, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich, Troy Donahue, and Sal Mineo, which was nominated for a Lambda Book Award.
Blaine L. Richards-Miller – Wichita Falls, Texas (text coming)
After 15 years of great success introducing the world’s best new contemporary artists to USA’s best galleries, American Art Awards launched World Art Awards (2023). Both these prestigious international art competitions award top galleries / museums – who later vote on 50 categories of online images from 70+ countries, awarding hundreds of brilliant artworks annually.
Launched in 2024, the similar Art Collectors Choice Awards was not scored by galleries but instead by an assortment of revered art collectors.
Email amerartawards@aol.com for more details.