The People’s Choice Awards at Phantom 2 “The View From Here” in Paso Robles

Tonight was the grand finale for the second Phantom Project show — this one in Paso Robles. Even as the show closed, several of the artists were outside plotting on how they might be able to turn it into a giant sister of Studios on the Park. But where would they find someone like Ann Laddon to make it happen? It’s a very big building and would take a lot of artist tenants to fill it up. So it looks as though the Phantom is gone, and by tomorrow night there probably will be no trace that he was ever there — except in the pockets of those who won awards.

I covered the opening artists’ reception earlier with a video taste of it and lots of pictures and the announcements of the jurors’ awards. Tonight I covered the announcement of the People’s Choice awards, and posted a video  of that announcement, as well as photos of the winners, to the link above.

There were 1697 votes cast by visitors to the exhibit for the best piece of art in the show. Of 465 artworks on display, 308 of them got votes. Interestingly enough, none of the top 21 vote-getters were sold to anyone, but some works with no votes from the people did sell. 25 of the art works in the show did sell by 7:30. There was still another 90 minutes to go, and more might have sold after I left. As Michael Reddell stated, the people’s votes showed that there is no one definition of what makes great art. There were, in fact, 308 separate definitions. I had been tempted to vote for several of those that had won. It was a difficult choice. I’m glad a piece I voted for did pick up one of the prizes. The first place winner is below.

In first place with 67 votes was "Fiji Afternoon" by Rebecca Erbstoesser and Tracy Schalwitz

In first place with 67 votes was "Fiji Afternoon" by Rebecca Erbstoesser and Tracy Schalwitz

In first place with 67 votes was “Fiji Afternoon” by Rebecca Erbstoesser and Tracy Schalwitz