I have been fortunate to win numerous awards since I started doing these art festivals just about a year and a half ago. Awards also jury you into the show for the next year without having to pass through the jury process, thereby allowing an artist to plan for next year, knowing that you can do the show. Often times over 1000 artists are vying for 250 spots, and the very top shows can get over 2000 applications for exhibition, such as Cherry Creek in Denver over July 4th weekend. I was fortunate to be invited to the show this year through the jury process, and an award there would guarantee a spot the following year.    

                                                                                  -Mark MacKinnon