Bourbon County Arts Council's 18th annual exhibit, sale set for Wednesday

The Bourbon County Arts Council will open its 18th Annual Fine Art Exhibit and Sale with a reception honoring the artists and juror at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St.

About 50 artists from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and North Carolina will have their work on display and for sale during the multi-media exhibit. Artists from Bourbon County include Minni Lou Allen, Bob Eckles, Tara Davidson, Barbara Gibson, Bobbi Kemna, Ithaca Marlier, Robert Walters, Martha and Jim Scott, John C. Weikel, Baker Weilert, and Chris Woods.

The mixed media contest and exhibit is open to artists 16 years of age and older who wish to display their artwork in one of several featured categories, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels and photography.

Brad Wilkinson, a long-time art instructor at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, will serve as juror for the event. A total of $1,550 in cash prizes will be presented to first place winners in each category, two Best in Show winners, all of whom will be selected by the juror, and the winner of a popular vote chosen by patrons who visit the exhibit and vote for their favorite piece.

The BCAC will host the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday. The exhibit will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. There is no admission charge.

Partial funding for the exhibit is provided by the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.