Eccles Art Center in Ogden holds annual Colors of Pride competition

The annual Colors of Pride competition was held by the Eccles Art Center in Ogden where Utah artists were invited to use the six colors and/or themes of the Pride flag — red: life; orange: healing; yellow: sunlight or energy; green: nature; blue: harmony or peace; purple: spirit. Original pieces in any medium including paint, print, drawing, graphic, pottery or sculpture, and textiles were eligible.

“We support the coming together of artists and art appreciation, through the offering of this competition of shared creative expression. When the world is disheartening, a show of support and acceptance is all that someone needs to feel understood,” event organizers said in a statement.

Winners were:

“Choosing Memories,” by Darryl Erdmann: Best of Show.

“War Paint,” by Keith Haney: Honorable Mention.

“Love Thyself,” by Lindsay Huss, Honorable Mention.

“Sides of Self,” by Amy Bingham, Honorable Mention.

“Live in Love AND Color,” by Kristy Hawkes, Honorable Mention.

“Bali in Vintage Frame,” by Bonnie “Bonaray” Hooper, Honorable Mention.

“Rainbow Basket,” by Curt Fuller, Honorable Mention.

A familiar theme for many of the pieces was a dissection of oneself.

Erdmann explained his piece as a coming-to-self moment.

“‘Choosing Memories’ is a piece that utilizes boundaries while still exercising our freedom to expand on who we are individually. Civility, harmony, and living every day to the fullest potential will always be the best choice for all of us. Life is precious and needs to be celebrated daily.”

Lindsay Huss explained, “This body of work explores the idea of the many facets of human personalities. In many ways, we fracture our personalities depending on our situation. When we examine ourselves, we must confront the fact that we have different sides to our personalities. These can include the pieces that could be considered, evil, vain, vapid, loving, passionate, and frightened. We must find a way to unite these pieces so that we can become whole. Without studying ourselves and who we truly are, we remain fractured.” She adds, “‘Love Thyself’ is truly about loving oneself for who they may be at their core. Once I learned to love myself, including what others may see as flaws, I was set free.”

Amy Bingham struggled to express her many sides.

“For me, the piece is about the struggle to articulate your dynamic self. I feel like my truth is actually being built from the inside out, sometimes changing, not always translatable in words or color.” Bingham said. “I no longer let the hot air in my head lead me; it is now the fuel that feeds my adventures. I go with the wind. I am constant, I follow only my internal compass.”

The art pieces will be displayed in the Main Gallery through June 27. Virtual tours are available at ogden4arts. org, Instagram, and Facebook.

The staff will be receiving donations for the Ogden Pride Outreach and the Eccles Art Center programs. A small rainbow flag or an ornament can be bought for a donation. They will be placed on a tree located in the Eccles Art Center’s main gallery. Hearts are $5 each or five for $20. Flags are $50 each.

The Eccles Art Center is at 2580 Jefferson Ave, in Ogden, Utah. More info at ogden4arts.org