Local artist Oyunaa Waskin won Best of Show at the Artists in Middleburg (AiM) exhibition “The Animal in Art” for her charcoal piece “Wolf.” The show, running through June 14 at the gallery on 102 W. Washington Street in Middleburg, also awarded second place to Wendy Lind’s bronze sculpture “Zorro” and featured Shelia Huyett’s oil painting “All the Pretty Boys Walk Like This.” Juror J Douglas, who has a long history with the AiM community, selected the winners. Executive Director Sandy Danielson highlighted that AiM hosts monthly themed exhibitions and offers art classes, including Plein Air, sculpting, painting, and drawing instruction.
The story matters because it showcases how a small, community-driven nonprofit like Artists in Middleburg supports local artists and arts education. AiM supplements school art programs with guest teachers, supplies, and art therapy, and partners with schools for an annual Youth Art Month exhibition. The article also frames AiM’s work within the broader context of the National Endowment for the Arts’ mission to strengthen communities through the arts, emphasizing the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of creativity. This local initiative demonstrates the vital role grassroots arts organizations play in fostering community engagement and educational equity.