The Artist’s Choice 2025 Exhibition opens Thursday, May 22 and runs through July 10th at the Robeson Art Guild, 109 W 9th Street, Lumberton, NC. Local artists’ response was strong, including special entries for consideration for the new Remembrance Poppy Award, an award offered for the first time for artworks honoring the sacrifice of the veterans who lost their lives in service to our country since World War I.
Judge Paul Baker selected the winners from the very strong field of both 2-D and 3-D artwork and Raymond Hunt, American Legion District Commander for Robeson and Scotland Counties, presents the awards at the opening reception. The Robeson Art Guild is proud to be part of local efforts recognizing the significant sacrifices made by our veterans over the years, in many different theatres. The exhibition and Remembrance Poppy Award reflect artists’ personal memories of those who have given their lives in service of our country – let us never forget their sacrifice.
The Remembrance Day Poppy Award is the first of a new Memorial Day traditional for the Robeson Art Guild. Be sure to vote for your favorite entries when you visit the Art Guild. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on July 10th, when the Artist’s Choice Exhibition closes. Several of the local artists have also created unique poppy-themed items for purchase and there are poppy pins you can wear on Memorial Day to honor those veterans we have lost over the years. Be sure to vote for your own favorite entries when you visit the Art Guild. The People’s Choice Award will be announced on July 10th, when the Artist’s Choice Exhibition closes.
When you stop by the Guild House to see the exhibits, be sure to take few minutes to study the very special Tribute to Montford Point Marines by Melvin Morris. Melvin was kind enough to loan us his special painting for this very special exhibition. You may remember that the piece was one of the Robeson County artworks selected from our large Osterneck juried show for the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) exhibition in Raleigh in 2023. Thank you, Melvin. Can’t wait to see what you have done with Inner Peace Gallery when you reopen in August/September!
Paul Baker, PhD, Director of the John “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center (City of Raleigh Museum & Cultural Resources) and Professor of History, North Carolina A&T State University, was the judge for the current Robeson Art Guild exhibition. In 2023, Dr. Baker was instrumental in the successful exhibition of 100 Robeson County artworks with the Robeson Art Guild at the Osterneck Auditorium in Lumberton, and a later selection of 31 of those works at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Raleigh. He continues to support Robeson County artists.
“It’s both gratifying and exciting to recognize and lift North Carolina artists and their talents…especially when they represent parts of the state that are often overlooked.”
– Paul Baker, May 13, 2025
In addition to the winner of the Remembrance Poppy Award, judge Paul Baker selected First, Second, and Third Place Winners and awarded 4 Honorable Mentions.
Remembrance Poppy Award
and
First Place Winner
The Sacrifice
Oil
Artist: Kay Bradsher
Second Place Winner
Tears for Poppy
Oil
Artist: Lu Lewis
Third Place Winner
Red Poppy
Pastel
Artist: MM (Linda) Anderson
Honorable Mentions
Acrylic by Joan Blackwell
Oil by Connie Shurtz
Pottery by Jim Tripp
Soft Pastel by Suesan Kennard
Online Auction is Live!
You don’t have to wait to come in, though! Have a look at the online auction for the Artist’s Choice artwork available for purchase online. Click Here to visit the Online Auction!
