Dressed trees part of upcoming Bourbon County Arts Council exhibit

The Bourbon County Arts Council is currently preparing for its annual fine arts competition and exhibit, which will take place at a new location for the first time in 20 years.

The 20th annual multimedia art exhibit and contest, open to artists 16 years of age and older, is scheduled to be open March 14-16 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the Fort Scott Community College campus, 2108 S. Horton.

In past years, the event took place at the Scottish Rite Temple, but the council, which has recently operated on a tight budget after it lost funds last year following the elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission, chose to move the event this year.

"It came down to money," BCAC Executive Director Peggy Cummings said. "We had to pay rent at the Scottish Rite Temple. They were wonderful to us during those 19 years. But we don't have to pay rent at the fine arts center."

Cummings said the new location lends itself well to the event. Exhibits will be displayed in various conference rooms in the fine arts center.

"We're really excited about it," she said. "It will give the exhibit a whole new look ... We'll have a lot more room to work with, and the setting's a little more pleasing."

Categories in the contest include painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels and photography. There was an entry fee of $7.50 per piece, and Monday was the deadline for entries.

Cash prizes totaling $1,550 will be awarded to a Best of Show winner, first place winners in each category and a popular vote winner.

A new addition that organizers are excited about is a different type of exhibit, called landscape art, that will be part of the event. Local artist Dee Ann Davis has knitted scarves and sweaters that will decorate trees in front of the Bailey Academic Building at FSCC.

"This year, we have really something different," Cummings said.

Last year's event drew 116 entries from people of various ages. Most of the entrants hail from Kansas and Missouri while others come from Alabama and North Carolina. Artists will have their work on display and for sale in the exhibit.

Bourbon County artists participating include Davis, Minnie Lou Allen, Ben Bristley, Bob Eckles, Fred R. Fay III, Barbara Gibson, Bobbi Kemna, and Jim and Martha Scott.

Bob Schyler, a retired longtime art teacher from Rich Hill, Mo., will serve as juror for the event.

Schyler, a working artist, currently owns his own jewelry design business and has previously participated in the show as well as serving as juror.

Among other requirements, 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.

"We like to have people who are teachers, not art critics," Cummings said. "We don't want someone coming in and being ugly to people. We want to keep it constructive."

Cummings said she does not yet have a final total of entries for this year's event. Last year's event drew 116 entries.

"That's about what it's been running each year," she said.

Cummings said recent cuts in funding to the BCAC have not had an adverse effect on organization of the fine arts contest and exhibit, mainly because the council doesn't have to pay rent for a venue this year, and due to continued assistance provided by several local sponsors.

"We have nowhere to make up the rent," she said. "Local sponsors have been doing it for 20 years. It's their willingness to continue to do it."

Sponsors provide money for the cash prizes that will be awarded to winners in the contest. Proceeds from entry fees help organizers offset the cost of printing, mailing, supplies and other expenses needed to put the show together, Cummings said.

The BCAC will host the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 15. The exhibit will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16.

There is no admission charge.

A reception honoring participating artists and the juror will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the fine arts center.