A love for art and aviation

Airport manager Hank Williamson shows Cory Casteel's winning piece of art from 1997. Casteel, of Bedford County, won the Tennessee Aviation Art contest for the age group 14-17.
(T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

Williamson is the manager of the Shelbyville Airport. He's also an artist.

It's no wonder he loves his job, because, believe it or not, one aspect of his job allows him to combine his two loves -- art and aviation.

His involvement with the International Aviation Art Contest (see details in box), a contest in which at least 1,000 Tennessee youth compete each year, is one example of how he combines these two passions.

Local involvement

"In the past Shelbyville has been the most represented city in the state of Tennessee," Williamson said, admitting he does work hard to draw local attention to the contest, which is sponsored by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

"Each year the FAI out of Brussels sponsors an international art contest," he said. "Each state has a contest first. The winners of state contests go to nationals, then those winners go on to the internationals. Last year a girl from Memphis got second in the internationals."

Entries are due to Williamson Jan. 13 and children from ages six to 17 are encouraged to participate.

"Kids can even come here to work on their art in the pilot planning room if they want," he said. "We've got plenty of the right sized paper."

Williamson, a judge of the state contest, admits he recruits locally for volume and said, "Shelbyville's had a lot of winners over time. I'm very proud of Shelbyville, because they participate."

Reaching out

As the manager of the local airport since 1997, Williamson strives to be open and encouraging toward children's aviation, as well as adults'.

"We're very open and encouraging for children's aviation," he said, explaining he's all for community outreach whether it be regarding the art contest or flying lessons, which can be taken locally for a reasonable price. "If you don't have people learning how to fly your airport dries up."

For kids out there who dream of flying their own plane one day, Williamson can relate, which probably drives his policy of keeping the local airport environment relaxed and friendly.

"Flying was always my dream," Williamson said. "I never wanted to be anything more than an Air Force pilot."

Williamson's dream became a reality after going through the ROTC program at Auburn University in Alabama. He got his pilot's license there and then joined the Air Force, where he stayed for 25 years. He flew B-52 bombers for four years during Vietnam and eventually graduated to flying fighter bombers.

Art in the air

When his career led him to lead the Shelbyville airport, he said he started having more involvement with the state aviation division. One of his contacts there was Kathy Sloan. One day, he and Kathy's conversation turned from aviation to art, a subject which always interests Williamson.

"Not many people know I'm an artist," said Williamson, who primarily paints water color. "I have always liked to draw and stuff. I found it could be a vehicle to get me through college, which would get me to being an Air Force pilot."

When Sloan found out about his love for art she asked if he would be interested in judging the state aviation art contest. About 1,000 enter from the state and he narrows it down to 10 to 20, who go on to compete nationally and potentially internationally. State winners also receive prize money in addition to a free flight in Lebanon.

"The winners sort of jump out at you," he said. He and another gentleman who judge the state contest look for creativity, color, composition and creativity.

This year's theme is "Flying with the Sun," and he admits, "the hardest part is figuring out what you're going to do with the theme."

Williamson said entry forms, due to him Jan. 13, can be picked up at the local airport. For more information call 684-1669 or for contest rules visit www.aviationartcontest.org.