Towering over many in the audience and winning second place was Jordan Zoscak, center, of Huntington Beach, California, for ‘Barn at Jefferson Terrace.’

The 5th annual Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air week was a success in every imaginable manner. With more than 70 artists from across the country vying for an opportunity to paint in the Teche Area, fewer than 30 were chosen. Comments Friday night from patrons, art fans and returning artists said the show was better than ever — more paintings per artist were displayed, filling the walls of the Shadows Visitors Center.

“We broke a record again this year and I think we sold more than last year,” organizer Jerome Weber said during a phone conversation Monday. “The event gained traction and we’re very pleased. So are the artists. The count sold was better this year. At an event like this, if you sell 35 percent that’s good. I think we’re north of that, but I’m not sure. The count is still coming in. The traffic for people coming to see the paintings was steady starting Thursday and that was good.”

An exhibit of nearly 50 paintings remain on display at The Shadows Visitors Center through April. Artists still hope to sell the works depicting the Teche Area in unique views. Attracting artists, which attracts patrons, builds the interest on several levels. The better the competition, the more interest from buyers of original art and the higher dollar value and number of awards presented is key to attracting great artists. 

Assisting Weber with promotions and event logistics throughout the year are Joy Mayer, Kathy Chassi, Pat Kahle and Jayd Buteaux from The Shadows. The weeklong Plein Air competition depends on a lot of volunteers including resident hosts and food providers.

This year a new $1,000 award was introduced thanks to the TECHE Project. Members were asked to contribute up to the desired amount and generous gifts from Jeff and Margaret Simon as well as David and Mary Ubiñas Dahlquist helped provide for the award.

“The Teche waterway runs 135 miles from Port Barre all the way down to the Atchafalaya,” said Dahlquist. “It is one of 21 nationally designated waterways in the United States, the only one in the state of Louisiana. We’re very proud of that. The TECHE Project is a nonprofit that helps people get out on the water, explore it, preserve it, pick up the trash, put in docks, a lot of things.” 

Membership to the nonprofit effort doubled this past year, said Dahlquist, with more than 550 members now supporting the Bayou Teche project. Jerome Weber offered one of his paintings which is featured on the annual report. A relocated retiree, Dahlquist understands what attracted the couple to move south.

“We often think of intrinsic qualities, what makes this place special,” Dahlquist said. “Nature, scenery, historic resources, cultural resources. It is so wonderful to see in the paintings in this room those intrinsic, unique, authentic resources that are so compelling to bring people here to visit and to live. The painters have done such a great job of presenting those intrinsic resources of the Bayou Teche and this entire area. I think that’s what beacons people to the area, and why (the artists) come to paint here. It inspires you.”

Dahlquist mentioned a poem by Margaret Simon, “The Brown Bayou Beacons You,” in her book “Bayou Song,” that captured the essence of what the three judges used to pick the top bayou painting. Paul Schexnayder, Conni Castille and Dahlquist selected “Bayou Teche” by Chris Willey of Kansas City, Missouri, as the first recipient of the $1,000 prize.

For the second year, Mayor Freddie DeCourt selected a painting to hang in City Hall. The Mayor’s Award is given by Becky and Wyatt Collins for the purchase of a historic piece that represents New Iberia. This year’s winner was Suzie Baker of Shenandoah, Texas, for “Epiphany on West Main & Jefferson.”

More than 20 painters participated in this year’s Paint Out on Friday, open to high school students and adults who were not part of the week’s Plein Air competition. The winners starting with third place were Joann Isner, Venetia Patout, and first place to Susan Clark. Each painting was completed in the allotted time and judged by Paul Schexnayder and Becky Collins. 

New Iberia residents opened their homes to the traveling artists giving them respite in hospitable surroundings, often giving back more to the artists than anticipated. Returning artist Mary O. Smith traded time in the outdoors for painting for a trip to Indian Bayou to trace her family heritage with host Chestee Harrington. The artist came to the competition for the first time last year and said she was so grateful for the experience and acceptance she has found in the area, the temptation to move from Georgia to the area is strong. 

Saturday’s Quick Draw, a new two-hour competition brought more than 20 registered artists to the gardens at The Shadows. The winners were Tim Oliver, Mary Monk and Gregory Summers. 

Morgan Samuel Price, a Florida-based plein air artist, was judge for this year’s juried competition and presented awards at the standing-room-only reception Friday night. Through the generous support from The James Devin Moncus Family Foundation, The Shadows was able to provide high school students with art supplies, transportation and supplies to participate in Price’s Plein Air Workshop. Funding from the Moncus Family Foundation allowed The Shadows to provide more students with the chance to learn about painting in the open air, thus fulfilling the site’s core mission of education.

Bayou Teche Award — sponsored by The Teche Project, Chris Willey of Kansas City, Missouri, $1,000 for “Bayou Teche.”

Mayor’s Award — sponsored by Becky and Wyatt Collins,

$1,000 Purchase Award for City Hall, to Suzie Baker of Shenandoah, Texas, for “Epiphany on West Main & Jefferson.”

Nocturnal Award — A $400 Award to Jeff Williams of Stillwater, Oklahoma, for “A Bridge at Cypremort Point.”

Honorable Mention — A $200 Award to Suzie Baker of Shenandoah, Texas, for “Sugar Inc.”

Honorable Mention — A $200 Award to Tim Oliver of Lubbock, Texas, for “Konriko Rice Mill.”

Honorable Mention — A $200 Award to Mary O. Smith of Townsend, Georgia, for “Plantation Swing.”

Honorable Mention — A $200 Award to Richard Sneary of Kansas City, Missouri, for “Duperier Bridge.”

4th Place — A $750 Award to Phil Sandusky of New Orleans, Louisiana, for “State and Concord.”

3rd Place — A $1,000 Award to Linda Dellandre of Montgomery, Texas, for “Beauty for Sale.”

2nd Place — A $1,500 Award, Goes to Jordan Zoscak of Huntington Beach, California, for “Barn at Jefferson Terrace.”

Best of Show — A $2,000 Award to Gregory Summers of Overland Park, Kansas, for “Secret Rites of the Atchafalaya Swamp.”

Artists’ Choice Award — $200 to Claude Ellender of Houma, Louisiana, for “Weeks Honey Hole.”