Art Festival Closes By Encouraging Artists

Jared Witt, coordinator for the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas speaks to attendees of the finale event at Nate’s Place at the Lyons Twin Mansions Saturday evening.

Jared Witt spoke to a group of young artists and community members Saturday evening of the importance of doing and trying artistic activities, “not just doing it in your head.”

This describes the concept of the 2nd Story  Festival of Art and Ideas which took place in venues in Fort Scott Friday through Sunday afternoon.

The evening finale included hors-d’oeuvres, drinks and an art display of the Young Visual Artists Art Show.

Art vendors were invited to sell their art as well.

Witt, who was the coordinator for the festival, addressed the group and thanked the contributors

The festival was to support creative endeavors in the community, Witt said.

The festival event was hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council with grant funding provided by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.

Encompassing the weekend were art, comedy improvisation and literary workshops plus crafted beer tastings.

Marc Willson, a retail strategist from Virginia who focuses on small to medium size towns, spoke at two sessions on Saturday. One topic was Art As A Business and the other Creative Placemaking: Building the Artist Community in Fort Scott.

Sponsors of the weekend event: Boiler Room Brewhaus, Bourbon County Arts Council, Charles and Martha Jane Gentry, The City of Fort Scott, Common Ground Coffee Co., The Empress Event Center, Kate and Jeff Sweetser, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Scott Public Library, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, Lowell Milken Center of Unsung Heroes, Nate’s Place at the Lyons Twin Mansions and Sleep Inn and Suites Hotel.

“Our mission is to promote Fort Scott as a regional hub for arts and innovation, as well as an attractive place for artists, creators, and innovators to live,” Witt said.

The annual festival is part of an initiative to improve the appeal of Fort Scott to those considering relocating and to improve the quality of life for those who live in Southeast Kansas. Fort Scott has resources in the areas of arts and innovation. The festival aims to inspire and encourage entrepreneurship in the region.


For more information:    www.2ndstoryartfestival.com

Laura Agee and Bre Martin,  recognize each of the young artists who participated in the Young Visual Artist Art Show Saturday evening at Nate’s Place at the Lyons Twin Mansions.

Young artists were encouraged this year by a grant funded by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.

Coordinators for the Young Visual Artists Art Show were Laura Agee and Bre Martin.

“There were 60 participants with 80 pieces of art submitted from six area schools,” Martin said.

The top winners of the art show attended the finale with their parents at Nate’s Place of the Lyons Twin Mansions.

Each winner received a $5 gift certificate from Common Grounds Coffee Co. and each school that participated received $25 for their art program.

Jacey Bowen, an art student of Chris Woods at Uniontown High School, received first place in three categories and took home $175.

The Uniontown High School Art Program received $100 as a result of the win of Bowen in three categories.

“We will buy something for the students that we haven’t tried before,” Woods said following the presentation.

Additionally, there were three workshops on Saturday for children offered in mediums of clay, metal, and fabric.

Martin said approximately 23 children combined, participated in the three workshops.

 

Elias Baker won $50 for his Winner’s Choice submission to the Young Artists Visual Art Show as part of the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas, Saturday. He is from Bryan Elementary School, Nevado, Mo.
Emilea Leonard, 8 years old, was one of the young artists recognized at the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas Saturday. She is from Benton Elementary School, Nevada, Mo.
Anna Fisher, a 2nd-grade student from Benton Elementary School, Nevada, Mo. stands in from of her submission to the art show, a weaving. She was one of the artists recognized Saturday at the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas finale.
Jacey Bowan, Uniontown, won the most money for her entries into the Young Visual Artists Art Show. She is pictured with two of her three submissions. Bowen won $175 for herself and $100 for her school Uniontown High School. Each school that sent artists to the contest received $25. The art was on display at the finale event of the art festival at Nate’s Place, a local eatery.

Pictured below are some of the first and second place winners who were honored at the art show.

Breann Martin places names of artists on the artwork for viewing at Nate’s Place during the finale of the 2nd Story Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Attendees of the finale of the art festival look over the young visual artist’s work on display at Nate’s Place Saturday evening.
Lindsay Madison, Kate and Jeff Sweetser and Rhonda Dunn enjoy the warm evening with hors-d’oeuvres and drinks on the porch of Nate’s Place Saturday at the fundraiser and art show.
Local artist Kenzie Curran, Farlington, was an art vendor with art for sale at the finale of the festival weekend.
Art festival finale attendees converse during the fundraiser at Nate’s Place eatery Saturday evening. From left: Larry Nuss, Lindsay Madison, Brian Bowen, Beth Nuss, Chris Woods and Bre Martin.

 

 

 

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