Hundreds gathered on April 13 for the 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala, hosted by the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts. More than 300 pieces of original art created by over 150 regional artists were entered into the region’s most prominent art exhibition and will remain on display through June 10, 2026.
“Congratulations to all the artists who have their works displayed in the 39th Spring Into Art, and to Turner Center Curator Madison Caldwell for the incredible presentation of the exhibition,” said Executive Director Sementha Mathews, Ph.D. “The public is invited to view the beautiful art that adorns the creative spaces within the Turner Center galleries. And, as always, admission to the galleries is free.”
Selections for awards were based on a dual-judge review, which was conducted without respect to artists’ names or prices of the artists’ work. Six thousand dollars in cash prizes were awarded to the top three winners in four categories, a Best of Show, as well as 10 honorable mentions.
"We are very blessed to be celebrating another incredible Spring into Art exhibition this year, and grateful to provide so many incredible artists in our region with the chance to compete and showcase their art in our galleries,” said Turner Center Curator Madison Caldwell. “We invite all members of the public to come and enjoy the wonderful exhibit that will be on display in the galleries through June 10, 2026."
Congratulations to this year’s award winners!
Best of Show: Joe Morgan – “Lobster Lottery”
Painting
1st Place: Aliyah Jones – “Unchartered”
2nd Place: Clarke Berryman – “Man of Morocco”
3rd Place: Simon Uchida – “Savannah Riverwalk”
Digital Arts/Photography
1st Place: Harvey Williams, Jr. – “Rise”
2nd Place: Jeremy McGuire – “Behind Paradise”
3rd Place: Herbert Ellis – “The Dark Place”
Drawing/Printmaking/Mixed Media
st Place: Annette Crosby – “Desert Rhythm”
2nd Place: Susan Wehling – “Mirror on the Wall”
3rd Place: Jill Bright – “Nest of Life’s Treasures
Sculpture/Ceramics/Jewelry/Crafts
1st Place: Robert Nelson – “Mule”
2nd Place: Spencer Clark – “Maple & Indigo 01”
3rd Place: Denise Lutz – “Moon Over the Waves”
10 Honorable Mention:
Todd Wessel – “The Crescent Before Christmas”
Suzanna Winton – “Ms. Joan”
M.D. Wagoner – “The Bridge Game”
Gerrie Hubbard – “Desert Noise”
Buddy LaHood – “Three Little Pigs”
Dave Richards – “Reclaimed from the Depths”
Linda Brooks – “Flowers in Blue Pot”
Suzanne W. Ally – “Conversation with AI #1”
Mike Tanner – “Enchanted River”
Alex Hodge – “Toward the Sun“
Judges
Brenda Pinnick Like so many others, my earliest recollection of art making left an indelible mark on my life. It was transformative in that art could take me anywhere I wanted to be. It still does. I paint en plein air mostly for that very purpose. There is magic to interpreting onto a 2-d canvas, the essence of a scene by using subtle shifts in color temperature and saturation to communicate the exact day and its unique quality of light and atmosphere. Landscapes offer endless opportunities to explore shapes, lines, color, value and depth and give me immense satisfaction as a representational artist. My goal with each painting is to achieve a true sense of place. My second love is florals. The joy of diving into a floral painting never disappoints. Some of my favorite pieces were done from simple garden flowers and presented without much arranging. The natural beauty is enough - I feel little need to interfere. Art can lift troubled spirits, express hopes and dreams and inspire others to look beyond the obvious for truth. I feel incredibly lucky to get up each day and spend time in my studio!
Ylva Rouse serves as Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, Florida, overseeing the exhibitions and collection of the institution. She came to MOCA Jax from New Orleans, where she served as the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, and later Interim Director, for Prospect New Orleans, the citywide international arts biennial founded by Dan Cameron in the wake of hurricane Katrina. She is also a member of the Cultural Council ‘s Art in Public Places Committee, which helps develop public art commissions for Greater Jacksonville. She has been active throughout her career, curating, writing and organizing lecture series about art aimed at the public and has always immersed herself in the communities she has lived in, serving as advisor and collaborating in multiple and diverse arts projects and initiatives with local organizations, community centers, and universities. With the firm belief in art as a force for change, Rouse's passion throughout her career has been to spread the understanding and enjoyment of the modern and contemporary arts and to bring awareness to the importance of nurturing the creative spirit, as individuals and as community.
At the event, Colson Printing also selected 13 works from the exhibition to be featured in their 2027 calendar, which will be available to the public this fall.
Colson Calendar Winners:
Debbie Worthington – “Peaceful View on the Flint”
Sherry Wetherington – “Bloom baby Bloom”
Cynthia Mantini – “The Springs Allure”
Dave Stone – “Emerald Sentinel”
David Retterbush – “The Yawn”
Janet Post – “Riders on the Storm”
Faye Altman – “Autumn Glow”
Teresa Middleton – “He Restores My Soul”
Lily Ann Lawson – “Gaia Vol 3”
D. Arthur McBride – “For Us All”
Ben Singletary – “Azalea Trail”
Todd Wessel – “Descent in Fog”
Kristye Dudley – “Spring Bloom“
The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts appreciates dozens of sponsors that made the 2026 exhibition a regional success. These sponsors are proudly displayed at the Center and at
turnercenter.org.
The exhibit is on display at the Turner Center until close of business on June 10, 2026. Participating artists, as well as individuals who purchased art from the exhibit, may pick up their pieces Thursday, June 11, 10am – 6pm or Friday, June 12, 10am – 4pm at 527 N. Patterson St. Works selected for the Colson Calendar will be ready for pickup at a later date (selected artists will be notified). For more information, call 229-247-2787 or visit
turnercenter.org.
