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Photo family’s new generation wins a Canfield Fair competition
Photo
Neighbors | Submitted.Christian (left) and Chris Pruitt proudly display their entries for the 2010 Canfield Fair’s Fine Arts Building photography and art contests. Christian won four ribbons including the first-place blue ribbon in the two-dimensional art category and first place in the painting category. Chris won the Best of Show purple ribbon in the professional photography category and honorable mention in the multi-image or series category.
By ABBY SLANKER
Like mother — and grandmother — like son.
Canfield’s Christian Pruitt, 9, is following in his mother and grandmother’s footsteps with his love of art and photography.
Like his mom, Chris Stacey Pruitt, and grandmother, Lee Stacey, the third-generation artist entered the 2010 Canfield Fair’s Fine Arts Building photography and art contests.
Christian entered seven pieces in the youth elementary age group of 5-9, including two entries in the photography category, two entries in the drawing category, two entries in the painting category and one entry in the two-dimensional art category.
Out of the seven entries, Christian won four ribbons, including the first-place blue ribbon in the two-dimensional art category, which is the combination of different mediums. He also took first in the painting category, honorable mention in painting and honorable mention in drawing.
“Christian has entered the contest every year since he was 5, which was when he received his first camera,” said Chris Stacey Pruitt.
Pruitt, owner of Stacey Studio in Canfield, which was founded by her mother in 1971, entered five pieces in the Fine Art contest. She entered one piece in the multi-image or series category, which includes a number of different images on one piece of paper and a series of portraits that tell a story about one subject.
She has entered two pieces in the computer art category, which is one image that is digitally enhanced to make the piece; and two pieces in the professional photography category, which is limited to entrants who derive income from photography.
Pruitt won the Best of Show purple ribbon in the professional photography category with a portrait of Christian and honorable mention in the multi-image or series category.
Pruitt also helps entrants by critiquing their entries at the Canfield Fair and offers advice and tips on how to advance their photography skills.
“Photography is a fun activity families can do together. They can take pictures throughout the summer together and, to celebrate the end of summer, enter the photography contest at the Canfield Fair.
“There is a category for every member of the family. Even children and grandparents can get involved and inspire each other,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt’s mother, Lee Stacey, was the official Canfield Fair photographer for many years and was active in the Fine Arts building. Pruitt would go to the fair with her mother and through her experiences, got her start in photography at age 9.
When Pruitt was in fifth grade, her mother entered a piece of her’s in her first Canfield Fair contest in the senior amateur division. She won second place.
In order to enter the Canfield Fair Fine Arts contest, interested artists must fill out a premium form to receive tags for the fair. The deadline to enter each year is Aug. 10. The forms must be turned in to be considered for judging.
According to Pruitt, entries have increased in the last couple years and she hopes this trend continues.
Pruitt, through Stacey Studio, will also offer classes in January on how to prepare to enter a photo contest, with emphasis on the Canfield Fair’s contests. She will also offer camera instruction and photography classes.
For more information, contact Pruitt at 330-533-7795.