Cynthia G. Robertson, a regular contributor to the Mission Times Courier and other local publications, is a two-way tie winner in the sixth annual San Diego Archaeological Society Art Show. Her image “Guiding Light” of the San Diego Mission de Alcala, won the People’s Choice Award for the competition.

Robertson’s photo is of the sidewall and bell tower of the Mission de Alcala.

“The title is a testament to the history, culture, and religion of the time when the missions of California were being established. Being an active church now, with its place in history, Mission de Alcala remains a guiding light,” she explained.

Robertson’s other submission to the show, “Liminal Space,” is a photograph of the Serra Museum in Balboa Park. It received an Honorable Mention.

There were five categories of artwork showing the various ways that art and archaeology intersect. Those categories were Fine Art, Photography, Archaeological Line Drawing, Traditional Arts and Video.

Long interested in archaeology, history and anthropology, Robertson was intrigued when she was invited to participate in the competition.

“I actually worked at the Anthropology Museum when I was a student at Mesa College,” she said. “I even considered working in the field as an anthropologist.”

As a result of her winning photograph, she has earned a one-year membership to SDCAS and the opportunity to serve on the board.

The art show was judged blindly by the Art Show Committee who had prior no knowledge of the artists’ race, gender, cultural affiliation, experience or background. The show is now online on the SDCAS website through Dec. 31. The website explains that art and archaeology are inextricably linked. Archaeologists often study the artistic creations of past cultures, whether ancient Grecian mosaics or finely crafted stone tools of pre-contact California.

Visit www.sdcas.org for more information on the archeological society and to view the art show.