On Sunday, June 21, the 26th Annual Art Connection Members Show Award Winners were announced. 

Voting for the Viewer’s Choice Thematic Challenge Competition is open through the remainder of the exhibition. You can cast a vote in person for your favorites works (via QR Code) through August 1 by visiting Irving Arts Center. Additionally, you can vote on the Irving Arts Center’s  Facebook page. Each like/heart through August 1 counts as a vote!

Congratulations to the following winners, as decided by 2026 Awards Judge, Toni Schuster. Toni is an artist, graphic design professional, educator, published author, and fitness instructor based in Irving. She holds an MFA from University of North Texas and has taught at Southern Methodist University, Dallas Community College and the Art Institute of Dallas.

26th ANNUAL ART CONNECTION MEMBERS SHOW WINNERS

BEST OF SHOW AWARD WINNER
Mikki Sikorski (Irving), Quilted Afternoon, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 in.

PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Gail Nash Arnold (Irving), Flamenco, 2026, ceramics, 21 x 8 x 7 in.
2nd Place – VET (Dallas), On Golden Pond II, 2026, mixed media, 24 x 36 in.
3rd Place – Jacqueline Limberg (Irving), Tuscany, 2024, oil on canvas, 25.5 x 21.5 in.
Honorable Mention – Barbara Oliver Hartman (Flower Mound), Turmoil, 2026, fiber/quilt, 50 x 45 in.
Honorable Mention – Erin Newton (Irving), Brood with Me Little Gem Ghosts, 2024, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 in.
Honorable Mention – Marilyn Henrion (Plano), The Geometer’s Hand #4, 2025, mm/hand-quilted, 40 x 30 in.
Honorable Mention – Rachel Black (Irving), Rio Grande at Big Bend, 2026, oil on canvas, 40 x 30 in.
Honorable Mention – Clara Limberg (Irving), Sunrise, 2026, watercolor, 6.5 x 8.5 in.

NON-PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Vidhi Jadeja (Flower Mound), Numinous, 2026, graphite on paper, 30 x 22 in.
2nd Place – James Anderson (North Richland Hills), Lady in Red, 2025, oil on canvas, 30 x 24 in.
3rd Place – Yvanka Servellon (Irving), Pieced Together, 2024, mixed media, 18 x 11 in.
Honorable Mention – Quentin Ochs (Irving), Lotus Emerging, 2025, digital photography, 39 x 59 in.
Honorable Mention – Lisa Chittenden (Grapevine), Curious Child, 2025, mixed media, 15 x 12 x 2 in.
Honorable Mention – Kristine Leathers (Colleyville), Cracked Not Broken, 2024, ceramics, 21 x 9 x 11 in.

YOUTH (17 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER) AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Mahathi Kumar (Irving), Beauty in Imperfection, 2025, pastel, charcoal, embroidery floss, 24 x 18 in.
2nd Place – Shridhaya Vijayaraghavan (Prosper), Break the Chains, 2026, digital art, 30 x 24 in.
3rd Place – Shriya Tandon (Irving), Song of Medusa, 2025, oil pastel, 24 x 18 in.

Pictured above: Mikki Sikorski and her award-winning piece Quilted Afternoon, named Best of Show in the 26th Annual Art Connection Members Show Awards.