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Fine Arts Competition and Exhibition highlights variety of artwork
With about 100 entries from scores of artists, the Bourbon County Arts Council's 21st Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit offers a little something for everyone.
The exhibit, which opened Wednesday, continues from 1 to 7 p.m. through Saturday at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 Horton.
The show features 41 artists from Kansas, Missouri, Alabama and Vermont.
The 98 art entries includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, drawing and graphics, mixed media, pastels and photography.
Thirteen artists are competing and exhibiting their work in the show for the first time.
"Anytime you can bring in new ideas, new concepts, the whole atmosphere of the exhibit changes," Cummings said.
Another element that adds to the show is the location.
"We are excited to be at the community college. It's a great venue," Cummings said.
This is the second year the show has been at FSCC and she said the artists are excited about returning.
While the show offers something for any art lover, it also gives back to the artist by allowing them time to meet with the juror to discuss how their work might have been better.
Nevada, Mo. artist Jeanne Board said she appreciated the advice of a professional.
"You can always learn something," Board said. "That's one reason why I like to listen to the critiques. You learn something from other people's works, almost more than from your own. It's very nice to hear, because judges see different things."
Peggy Cummings executive director for the Bourbon County Arts Council agrees that the addition of the critiques is a bonus for the artists.
"That's real important to the artist because that time with the juror is always an opportunity to learn," Cummings said.
This year's juror is Brad Wilkinson, who is an art educator at Neosho County Community College in Chanute. Cummings said he juried the Bourbon County show about five years ago.
"For the most part, there are some quality pieces. This is truly a quality show compared to what I have seen." Wilkinson said. "The category that was the strongest was the Mixed Media. I would have liked to have awarded more from that category."
In addition to getting feedback from the juror, artists compete for cash prizes totaling $1,550 for best of show, first place in each category and a popular vote.
Best of Show honors went to Robert Styler, of Rich Hill, Mo. for his Two Dimension piece entitled "Portrait of Gabby." Fort Scott artist Barbara Gibson took first place in jewelry, while Pittsburg's Al Letner took top honors in Ceramics with his Raku Lidded Jar. Bob Cross, Chanute, took first place in Drawing and Graphics with "State Fair" and first place in watercolor went to Lonny Vaughn Matlock, Girard for "Kansas, My Home." Matlock was the only double winner and also captured top prize for his Mixed Media piece entitled "Compassion First."
First place in Pastels went to Iolan Elizabeth Corbett for her piece, "Gordie." Joplin artist Linda Teeter took first place in photography for "Ladies in Waiting" and Nick Magee, of Fort Scott, took top honors for his Third Dimension piece. First place in Painting went to Nevada's Andrew McNair for "Waiting Man."