Bourbon County Arts Council calls for entries

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Artists in the region who want a chance to have their work recognized will soon get that opportunity.

The Bourbon County Arts Council's 19th Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit, open to artists 16 years of age and older, is scheduled to open March 9 at the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St. Categories in the contest and exhibit include painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels and photography.

Peggy Cummings, BCAC executive director, said she is looking forward to seeing the different types of artwork that will be entered in this year's event.

"We'll have to see what our imaginative artists come up with," she said. "It all centers around the artists and their imaginations."

The exhibit opens March 9 with a reception for participating artists and the juror and will remain open through March 11 at the Scottish Rite Temple.

Last year's event drew 127 entries from people of a variety of ages -- from 16 to 60 -- who hailed from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, with one entrant from Vermont. The show also featured artwork from several Uniontown High School and Pittsburg State University art students.

Students from Cottey College in Nevada and Fort Scott Community College have entered artwork in the show in past years, Cummings said.

"Student participation depends on where they're at in their art program at school," she said. "It's really hard to predict."

A total of $1,550 in cash prizes will be awarded to first place winners in each category, a Best of Show winner, all of whom will be chosen by a qualified art judge, and the winner of a popular vote who will be selected by visitors who vote for their favorite piece.

First place winners will each receive $100; the Best of Show winner will receive a $200 prize, and the winner of the popular vote will be awarded $50.

Each year during the contest, the judge spends time with the artists, reviewing their work and offering tips and advice concerning the artist's particular style, as well as ways to improve or enhance their work. This also gives any artists present a chance to talk to the juror about their work so they can get help in advancing their work and careers, Cummings said.

Judges must possess both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in art due to the number and variety of artistic categories featured in the contest, and meet other requirements.

"Because there are so many categories, they must have a master's," Cummings said. "They also must be a teacher and not an art critic. I don't want anyone going out of there with their feelings hurt."

Some unique art that she has seen entered in the event in past years include rock sculptures formed by an artist from Pittsburg who "creates art that jumps out at you," Cummings said. Another past entrant has been an artist from Iola who makes "towering structures" using pots and pans.

"It just struck me, it was so unusual," she said. "To take everyday pieces and make it into something you just can't hardly describe."

The exhibit and contest in partially funded by the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. The fee to enter the contest is $7.50 per piece, and the deadline for all entries is Feb. 28.

Entry forms may be requested by calling BCAC at (620) 223-6159.