THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605180085
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
The ``Spike Award'' is a new, $100 people's-choice prize that will be given at the 1996 Seawall Art Show next weekend in honor of Marion ``Spike'' Splichal, a clay sculptor who died last October.
Splichal (rhymes with Michael) had exhibited in almost every Seawall show since it began 26 years ago. And despite failing health, he was right there in his favorite spot up front last year. He frequently won awards, including the $1,500 best-in-show prize in 1990. However, he also worked year around as a volunteer on the show committee for many years.
The Spike Award will come from a fund established by a host of small contributions from Splichal's friends and admirers. It will be given each year as long as the money lasts to the artists chosen by ballots. Those will be turned into the art show headquarters tent during the show.
``We feel it is appropriate that the award should come from the many people who knew and admired Spike,'' says Pat Pfeiffer, a Seawall Art Show Committee member. She and Heather Mewhinney of Olde Towne Gallery created the award.
``Spike was as much a part of the tradition as the tradition itself,'' Pfeiffer says. ``He added so much color - not only with the unique flavor of his art but with his bib-overalled personality. The show won't be the same without him.''
Splichal always wore denim overalls and a big straw hat to the show. Everybody who saw him remembered him - and his work.
A late-blooming artist, he had retired from 20 years in the Navy and a second career in electronics at the Naval Shipyard and finally a stint as a curator at the Portsmouth Lightship Museum before he discovered that other side of himself.
Over the last decades of his life, he meticulously created hundreds of miniature scenes out of clay, and he loved to show people the details he added to them.
In the latter years of his life, failing health forced him to give up the work, which attracted collectors from all over the nation who bought his sculptures. But he didn't stop working. Instead, he turned his sense of humor to small clay pieces imitating Picasso and other 20th century artists.
Splichal and his wife, Ruth, also an award-winning artist, traveled to many outdoor art shows. From their own experiences, they were able to bring new suggestions for the Seawall Art Show over the years, and they worked tirelessly to help set up the show.
But show days were Spike's favorite days. He enjoyed the outdoor exhibitions and always was willing to lend a hand to other artists. He especially liked to encourage young artists he met at the shows. MEMO: Contributions of $5 or more to the Spike Award fund may be sent to Pat
Pfieffer at Pfeiffer's Cards, Books and Fine Wines or to Heather
Mewhinney at Olde Towne Gallery, both on High Street in Olde Towne,
Portsmouth, Va. Call 393-8983 for more information.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo
``Spike'' Splichal admires the drawing presented to him as a tribute
in this photograph taken in 1989. The Seawall Art Show he loves is
reflected in his sunglasses. Spike died last fall.
by CNB