The arts are an important part of Garner’s community. That was no more evident last week than at the Women’s Club Arts Festival recognition ceremony Feb. 18.

The ladies took the 15 entries of club level winners to the district level Feb. 13. There were five student entries that won first place and five club member winning entries, which is more than the Garner Women’s Club has ever had. The Garner Women’s Club also had more entries at the district level than any other club.

The middle grade winners included Richard “Cooper” Best for his metal craft, Hayley Vinson for her watercolor painting, Claire Brendle for her sculpture and Raul Tapia-Pacheco for his pen and ink drawing. Robert Coffey was the only high school winner for his graphite drawing.

Of the club members, Gloria Parrish won first place for her counted cross-stitch. Barbara Delmont won for her ribbon embroidery and Karel Standish won for her paper craft. Terry Ellis won for her weaving and soft sculpture entries.

The next step for the artists is to take their work to the state competition in March. The club members will accompany the students, according to Club President and Garner’s Mayor Protem Kathy Behringer.

With 38 student entries and 16 club member entries, this year’s Arts Festival was larger than ever before.

“So, it’s starting to grow,” Garner Women’s Club member Terry Ellis said. “I’m just delighted with the participation.”

Students who submitted work for the Arts Festival were students at East Garner Magnet Middle School, Cleveland Middle School, Garner Magnet High School and Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School.

The Arts Festival exemplifies some of the reasons the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) was originally founded in the 1860s. The Women’s Club tries to promote the arts and showcase the talent of the next generation through projects like the annual Arts Festival each January.