60th Annual

National Mother Lode Exhibition

Thanks to our Sponsors for the National Mother Lode Art Exhibit:

Peek Family Expendable Fund

El Dorado Savings Bank

Blick Art Materials

Doug Veerkamp General Engineering, Inc.

Joyce Martin

Molly Sugarman

Elizabeth Smolin

Anonymous Donor

Awards 2026

This year's juror and judge, Debra Kreck-Harnish, presented the exhibition's awards, recognizing outstanding artistic achievement across several categories. Awards included Best of Show, three Awards of Excellence, three Awards of Merit, and three Awards of Achievement.

In addition, Placerville Arts Association members were eligible for special First, Second, and Third Place awards presented by the association.

The Mother Lode Art Exhibition also honors two endowed memorial awards: the Anita Wolff Memorial Award, sponsored by her former student, Joyce Martin, and the Matt Sugarman Memorial Award, sponsored by his wife, Molly Sugarman, and daughter, Elizabeth Smolin.

Special for 2026, in celebration of the exhibition's 60th anniversary, we also presented a 60th Mother Lode Art Exhibition Special Award sponsored by an Anonymous Donor.

Best of Show