Reno mixed-media artist Candace Nicol was selected from several submissions from northern Nevada artists to be the featured artist for the 2009 season. Each year the festival picks an artist to create a piece that represents the spirit and embodies the essence of the festival. Nicol creates her printmaking art from multilayered compositions photographed and digitally manipulated. Nicol was recently awarded the distinguished Nevada Arts Council 2009 Artist Fellowship for visual arts and a Sierra Arts 2008 Artist Grant.