MSUB Professor Wins National Kite Awards

John Pollock, a professor of art at Montana State University Billings, recently won five trophies for his handmade, artistic kites at the 30th annual American Kitefliers Association convention.

Pollock, who is in his 34th year of teaching at MSU Billings, entered two of his painted art kits into the hand-built kite competition.

One of the entries was a flat kite with a handpainted image of a self-portrait titled "This Half." The other was a handpainted bowed kite with a Mardi Gras image titled "Good Times."

A national kiteflying competitor since 2000, Pollock said 96 kites were entered in 13 categories at this year's event. The judging process involved 10 judges who evaluated structure, flight, craftsmanship and visual appeal.

Pollock's kites earned him five trophies. These included first place for flat kites, highest score in craftsmanship, first place for bowed kites, highest score in visual appeal and the grand champion award for the largest overall score. This is the top award given in kite building each year by the American Kitefliers Association.

Besides his competitive efforts, Pollock also serves on the association's Kite Art Committee and the Lee Toy Memorial Kite Artist of the Year Committee.