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| Rie Hosokai's sculpture has elevated balloon art to a whole new level. |
Twist & Shout may not be the only balloon entertainer event each year, but so far it remains the biggest. 232 people attended from 7 countries. People came from 33 US states. I (Larry) was thrilled to be able to make it to Twist & Shout this year after missing the last couple years. It was great to be surrounded by the many friends I've made over the years while attending conventions and teaching workshops.
As most BHQ readers are aware, balloon artist David Grist tragically passed away recently. He was remembered at T&S with the creation of the David Grist Memorial Award. This award will be given each year at T&S to an artist that captures David's spirit in his/her contribution to the balloon artist community. This year the award was presented to Ralph Dewey for his joy of the art of ballooning, his humility and modesty, his gift for teaching and his ability to be a friend to anyone and everyone.
Of course, Ralph also turned around and presented a number of his own awards (The Balloon Excellence Awards) to others in the community. The first, Balloon Excellence Ambassador, went to David Grist. Others included Bonnie Davis for Rising Star, Bidou (Bertrand Charlot) for Career Contributor, and Larry Moss for Trailblazer. (Thanks Ralph. It really is an honor to be among the other recipients.)
Of course, it really doesn't need to be said (but we'll say it anyway) that the competition entries were truly outstanding to see. Rie Hosokai's truly beautiful geisha, Brian Asman's show stopping puppet act, Ed Chee's Dora, and Vicky Kimble's Slice of Life gave us more than enough to talk about in the days following the event. Congratulations to all of the winners. Every entry was deserving of recognition. It was a shame more awards couldn't be presented for the work that went into the various pieces.
Check out the Twist and Shout 2005 BHQ Event Coverage.
Mark your calendar for next year when Twist & Shout goes to St. Louis, MO Feb 23-26.
One announcement that got quietly released in Texas was for Balloon Manor to be recreated for Halloween, 2006 in the Rochester, New York area. Balloon Manor will undergo construction for 5 days starting around October 22, 2006 and be on public display from roughly the 27th through the 31st of October. With plans to open the project to hundreds of volunteers in the balloon world and local community, expect Balloon Manor to be even greater than before. Mark your calendars, because you're invited to help! See 2004 Balloon Manor photographs.
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| A biblical figure by Ralph Dewey |
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| Dewey's Balloon Excellence Award |
The first recipient of the David Grist Memorial Award, Ralph Dewey is one of, if not the most, prolific instructors the balloon twisting world has seen. His desire to share everything he creates has forced him to keep creating just to stay ahead.
Ralph doesn't seem to create or teach in order to get recognition and awards. In fact, his love of ballooning has led him to establish his own Balloon Excellence Awards that he gives to other balloon entertainers and twisters.
Walt Disney once said that you can't stop people from stealing your ideas. All you can do is create ideas faster than they can steal them. I agree with Walt. -- Ralph Dewey Who's who
Who's Who: Ralph
Dewey
Portfolio: Ralph
Dewey
