The La Vendéenne Awards

The La Vendéenne Awards were established in 2012 by International Encaustic Artists to recognize artists or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement and practice of encaustic art. The awards are named in honor of a 4th Century female encaustic artist, whose buried remains were found, along with the tools of her encaustic art, in the La Vendée region of France. This anonymous woman is known as La Vendéenne, and the International Encaustic Artists’ award that supports their mission of “raising the level of excellence in fine art encaustic work” is named in her honor.

Portrait of a young man Wax, egg, oil on lime wood, AD 80-120 Portrait of a woman Encaustic on lime wood, AD 55-70

The spectacular sunset view of Morro Rock created an almost mystical atmosphere at the La Vendéenne Awards Dinner at Windows on the Water Restaurant. ConVergence retreat attendees from around the world came together to celebrate the achievements of two extraordinary contributors to the encaustic arts community. The assembled encaustic luminaries and enthusiasts cheered as the La Vendéenne Award was presented to two individuals who have helped define contemporary encaustic art. IEA Grants Director Melissa Lackman presented an Outstanding Contribution Award to author, artist, and international instructor Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch. Trish is known worldwide for her long-time impact on the medium of encaustic. In her twenty-plus years working with this medium, she has focused her energies toward making this difcult medium accessible to more artists. In her acceptance speech, she talked about her passion for encaustics and her determination to be an advocate for the medium and its possibilities. She also acknowledged the contributions of fellow awardee Lora Murphy, who came to the retreat from Ireland. Lora was awarded an Outstanding Contribution Award for increasing international recognition and respect for encaustic as a fine art through her Painting With Fire masterclass. This program brought together 2000 global students this year to learn high-quality encaustic techniques from 26 of the world’s top encaustic instructors. Lora expressed appreciation for the groundwork Trish has laid and said that she cherished her “encaustic tribe.”