Sarah Serio
[email protected]
417-592-1673
Images attached: Flyer and graphics for event
NEW YOUTH ART CONTEST ANNOUNCED
Neosho Arts Council has unveiled a new competitive art event for area youth. The “Thomas Hart Benton Youth Art Competition and Exhibition” will accept entries in a variety of 2D mediums from kid’s age 8 to 12 and teens age 13 to 17.
“We wanted to engage young artists and help show them that their work is just as worthy of exhibition as an adult’s work of art,” said Sarah Serio, president of the Neosho Arts Council. The works will hang for two weeks on public display at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery.
“It’s exciting to hold this exhibition of young artist’s works on the Hatchery grounds because this was a place Benton himself came to as a young artist to create,” Serio explained. Benton, who was born in Neosho in 1889, was experimenting with modern European painting styles in the early 1900’s after returning from Paris. In 1912 he painted, “The Fish Hatchery, Neosho,” using Impressionist brushstrokes and a Fauvist palette on site at the Hatchery. Later he became widely known for his work in the Regionalist style.
By running this event concurrently with the 28th Annual Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibition for emerging and professional artists the council hopes to pave a path for young creators to start and keep exhibiting their works.
“Our group wants to encourage young area artists to create in traditional mediums so they can connect with their art in the same way that artists like Benton were able to,” Serio said. They are accepting entries in painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, pastels, charcoal, ink, and other similar 2D mediums. No photography, digital works, giclees, high relief works, or 3D works will be accepted.
There is no entry fee for either division and no residency requirements. Up to three entries will be accepted per young artist. Works can be dropped off and entered September 23 – 28 at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, McKinney St./Hwy 86, Neosho, MO 64850, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Awards will be presented on October 7 at 2:30pm at the Neosho Fish National Fish Hatchery as part of the Neosho Fall Festival. The Neosho Arts Council will be holding their annual kids, teens, and adult Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest on the Square at 10:00am the same day.
Full details about entry can be found online at neoshoarts.net.
You can also learn more by following Neosho Arts Council on Facebook and Instagram.
Make sure to follow @NeoshoArts on Facebook and Instagram
