Mae Mazue's painting, Still Life with Turquoise Vase, won a blue ribbon at the S.C. State Fair. The oil painting is now the property of First Citizens Bank. Mae Mazur is no stranger to prize awards. She has won First as well as lesser awards for her art work over a period of years. Last week, the 2008 South Carolina State Fair granted her the blue ribbon, and a $2,000 purchase prize, for her oil painting, "Still Life With Turquoise Vase." It is now the property of First Citizens Bank.

This resident of the Columbia Presbyterian Community is a relative newcomer to the world of painting.

"I started painting when I was 72," she says. "I lived in the VA Hospital neighborhood of Columbia and went to the Shepherd's Center program at Northeast Presbyterian Church on Sparkleberry Lane. Martha Hilton and Campbell Frost were leading a class for beginners.

"The first time I won anything was first place in a juried show put on by the Log Cabin Art Guild."

Mazur likes to paint still life, and many other things such as clowns, landscapes, and even a few portraits. Oil paint is her chosen medium.

Mae Mazur Mazur is originally from Ohio but has lived in the Columbia area for 35 years. She came here with her husband when he began work at the Square D plant. He died four years ago, and her daughters, who live in other places across the country, urged her to come live near one of them.

"I said no, I don't want to live with you, and I don't know anybody in those other places," Mazur said. "I am going to stay here, and you can come visit me." She has lived at the Presbyterian Community for a year.

Along with her art work, she occupies herself as a Pink Lady at Providence Hospital. She has been doing that for 24 years, 18 of them at the cardiac surgery unit. Now she assists with the computer work in the office.