The Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation on 20 West Broadway in Jim Thorpe was the venue for the Carbon County Art League's 31st Annual Art Show held June 2-3.

Organizers considered the event a "grand success."Participating in this year's show were 33 artist exhibiting 99 works of art competing for a total of $1,000 in prize money.The 2012 Best of Show was awarded to photographer Jon Stoj for his photograph of "Blue Heron in Carbon County."Category winners are:Oil & Acrylic: first place, Anibal Andy Collazo; second place, Deborah Walkowiak; honorable mention, Wayne D. YurchakPhotography: first place, Tony Przasnyski; second place, Anne Martino; honorable mention, Tony PrzasnyskiSculpture and Mixed Media: first place, Heather Wojcik; second place, Jay Mosier; honorable mention, Steve KagerWatercolor: First place, David Lautt; second place, Joan Farnell; honorable mention, Theresa QuinnThe Carbon County Art league, in existence for more than three decades, began as an idea during art classes in Frank Sebelin's drapery shop in Jim Thorpe. The seed was planted and over the years has grown into a group of artists dedicated to promoting art and artists in the county.CCAL's goals are:1. To inform and educate the public of the concerns of the artists with their creative work effort in accomplishing their projects.2. To encourage the public to appreciate the work and purchase the work of area artists, and thus be supportive to them giving artists the impetus to continue with their works.3. To encourage pupils at school to attend exhibitions to broaden their horizons about artists and to see them in their proper perspective, so those pupils with proficiency or desire to draw and paint would perhaps be further encouraged to pursue their talents in the artistic field.4. To hold exhibitions in which to display the latest works of area artists thereby giving the artists, as well as the public, exposure in this field.5. To stimulate interest in the schools and organizations of our area to make them aware of the need for the highest quality artwork available in Carbon County.The mission of the Carbon County Art League is to support and nurture working visual artists, as well as to promote the appreciation of these arts, art education, and the historical value of these arts to the community.Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Penn Kidder Senior Center located in the Bear Creek Plaza, Route 209, Jim Thorpe. Membership is open to all 18 years or older.For more information, email

ccalartist@yahoo.com or write to Carbon County Art League, P.O. Box 264, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.