Barbara Drake is the recipient of the Fountain Hills Art League “Artist of the Year” award.

She was voted winner by the attendees at the Art League’s recent Holiday Party. The winner was chosen by ballot of each month’s winner of Artist of the Month. Drake was named artist of the month for December.

This five layer acrylic painting is a 24x36 condensed version of the Tempe view from State Route 202. The artist’s statement is, “I was inspired by the by the history of the granary and the Mill Avenue Bridge juxtaposed with the contemporary architecture. The lake and the timeless pleasures of sailing and kayaking were the inspiration for the painting. Even more impressive to me is the community leadership to execute a project of this magnitude. What was once an ugly, dumpy, dry riverbed is now a point of community pride. It was a pleasure to preserve my impression of it on canvas. To have it receive the Artist of the Year award is a great joy. Thank you.”

Drake also was awarded “Lifetime Membership” for her many accomplishments in the Art League. The award is only the sixth of its kind awarded in the organization’s 36-year history.