World-class artist

By Staff
Hartselle’s Anna Yeager top 10 winner in international contest
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle’s Anna Kate Yeager was recognized last week as a top ten winner in an international art competition. The final round of judging will take place next month with the first place winner receiving an expenses-paid three-week vacation to New Zealand and a $750 cash prize.
The Hartselle High School junior found out by telephone message on March 27 that a painting she entered in an international art competition was chosen as a top ten entry. She submitted her entry on line to the Rotary Club of Otorohanga, New Zealand, a year ago after being encouraged to do so by Michelle Wilson, her art teacher, and David Burleson, secretary-treasurer of the Hartselle Rotary Club.
When she returned the call, she talked with the contest Curator Barry Marx.
Earlier the same day the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service judged entries in the 2007 Alabama Duck Stamp Art Competition, a project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. Yeager’s pastel drawing of three mallard ducks was selected first place winner in the junior division and best of show winner from all of the entries.
Her pastel drawing of the ducks was inspired by a photo Wes Chenault made at the Wheeler Wildlife Visitor Center.
Yeager’s painting has been sent to Washington, D.C. for judging on a national level. She and other first place winners will be honored and presented engraved plaques at an awards banquet in Montgomery on April 21.
The painting that was judged among the top 10 best in the international Rotary competition depicts a mother comforting a young child. It is entitled “Mama Rock Me.”
Yeager’s success as a young artist began two and a half years a go when she started taking art lessons from her next door neighbor. Her painting of a coyote in 2005 captured best of show honors in the Alabama Wildlife Art Competition. She has won in several other competitions and her paintings have sold for as much as $300 each.
Yeager is an A-B honor student and a member and co-captain of the Hartselle High dance team. Here career goals include college and a double major in art and psychology.
She is the daughter of Mark and Cassandra Yeager of Hartselle.