The images taken at an early morning hot air balloon launch last year were the inspiration for this year's 19th-annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival poster winner.Ragan Windsor moved to …
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The images taken at an early morning hot air balloon launch last year were the inspiration for this year's 19th-annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival poster winner.
Ragan Windsor moved to Summerdale from Western Maryland after retiring from a 35-year career as an art educator in 2019. Alongside her husband, Jim, and little dog, Peanut, she runs an online art gallery, www.studio1north.com, to display both her art and that of other emerging artists. She has not strayed from art education, as she still teaches it locally.
Windsor attended the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival for the first time in 2022 and had never entered the poster design contest before.
"I was so smitten by the images I took at an early morning balloon launch last year that I had to design an image that expressed the joy I found there," Windsor said. "I am honored and elated to have won this contest. I love sharing my art. I love color and composition and it is my joy to create every day."
The 2023 festival will be held May 4 - 6 at OWA Parks and Resort. In addition to being the official poster for this year's festival, Ragan's artwork will also be displayed on the official balloon festival T-shirt and other merchandise.
Festival merchandise can be purchased at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival or in advance through the website, gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.
Visit www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com for more information about the event.
