CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., has announced the winners of the 2006 Art & Letters Contest, which had as its theme "Whimsical Water." Almost 100 women writers and artists from the Tampa Bay area entered and interpretations of the theme ranged from seascapes to a memoir about a whimsical tea-party to an essay on bottled water.
Top winners received cash prizes. Proceeds from the contest support Pen Women projects including a scholarship to St. Petersburg College's Women on the Way program.
Prizes were presented at an awards program at the Clearwater Main Library to:
Prose: Patricia Lorenz of Largo, 1st place for her memoir, "The Last Great Tea Party;" Sallie Palmer of Largo, 2nd place for her article, "Drink to Me Only with Designer Water;" Eduvigia Ancaya of Valrico, 3rd place for her memoir, "Whimsical Water;" Angela Masterson-Jones of Palmetto, Special Recognition for her short story, "Letting Go" and for her article "Caught in the Current;" and Cindy Gamblin of Dunedin, Special Recognition for her memoir "Whimsical Water."
Poetry: M.C. Garrett of Largo, 1st place for her free verse poem "Despair;" Angela Masterson-Jones of Palmetto, 2nd place for her dactylic quatrain "Uncharted Waters;" and Madelyn Berry of Clearwater, 2nd place for her traditional poem, "Whimsical Water."
Art: Debra Thomas Weible of Palm Harbor, 1st place for her watercolor portrait "Windy Day at the Beach;" Mary Kay Bristol of Dunedin, 2nd place for her oil on canvas, "Waiting for Our Ship to Come In;" Mitzie Flavin of Largo, 3rd place for her mixed media collage "Boats in the Bay;" Heather Manter of Clearwater, Special Recognition for her acrylic/mixed media "Kyosuibyo;" and Margaret Donahoo of Clearwater, Special Recognition for her ink pen & wash "Summer."