The first year Ringelstetter received his first ever National Award he went on to receive two more shortly after, but the first one was a life altering moment for him. When the awards were being announced, Ringelstetter was so focused on the customers in his booth he didn’t hear his name being called. It wasn’t until a woman on the board approached him in his booth and congratulated him that he realized what had happened. Ringelstetter was so blown away that he couldn’t keep his mind on what she was saying, and had to have his father chase her down after she left so that she could reiterate the specifics.
As it turns out, Ringelstetter had placed so high in his category that he beat out other top placers in different categories, which led to him receiving an invitational award to return to Art Fair on the Square in Madison, Wisconsin. Out of 450 artists, Ringelstetter placed 13 th , and still feels that this was the moment that he truly transcended from his comfort zone and became the juggernaut that we know today.
Darienne Keniece