An annual art exhibit will include several local artists this weekend.
The Bourbon County Arts Council will present its 31st Annual Fine Arts Exhibit, March 2 through 11, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College at 2108 S. Horton.
Local artists entered include Kathryn Allen, Haley Beaton, Trista Brigg, Rylee Coulter, Stephanie Erie, Bareigh Farrell, Steve Floyd, Grace French, Alie Fuhrman, Chance Fuhrman, Barbara Gibson, Lucy Gladbach, Alexis Herring, Bobbi Kemna, Terry Koester, Connie Neil, Kadra Nevitt, Gayle Sackett, Jim Sackett, Caitlynn Tate, Cadence Tuck, amd Cayden Woods.
Other artists who are participating in the exhibit are from Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
The mission of the council is to foster, promote and increase the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, according to its Facebook page.
The council will host the Fort Scott Chamber Coffee at 8 a.m. on Thursday March 2, at the Ellis Center, which kicks off the event.
A reception will be held on March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. to honor this year’s juror and artists. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with them about the art.
The exhibit will be open to the public beginning March 2 through Saturday March 11, weekdays from noon to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There is no admission charge for this event, and the community is encouraged to come and enjoy a collection of original artwork.
Artists will have their work on display and for sale in this multi-media exhibit, with categories including ceramics, drawing and graphics, fiber arts, glasswork, jewelry, mixed media, painting, pastels, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and watercolor.
This year’s theme is “Doorways and Windows.”
Cash prizes awarded for category winners are given by the Bourbon County Arts Council in memory of E.C. Gordon, and by the generous sponsorship from these local businesses: Buerge Art Studio, Citizens Bank, City State Bank, Edward D. Jones, Fort Scott Broadcasting, H&H Realty, Landmark Bank, Lyons Realty, MidContinental Restoration, Osage Timber Mills, State Farm Insurance, Union State Bank, and Ward Kraft.
About the Juror
Trent Freeman is the juror for the exhibit. Freeman received his Bachelors in Fine Arts from Emporia State University, and also studied at Kansas University and abroad in Australia.
Freeman is a sculptor whose works have been featured in private collections, local galleries, and at fine-art festivals.
He has instructed privately from his studio for the past 25 years, and continues teaching workshops and private classes currently in Fort Scott where he and his wife, Kate Riddle Freeman, have recently opened a privately owned art gallery, The Artificers, at 8 North National Avenue. From here, they are resident artists in their teaching and working studio.
As an artist, he draws inspiration from Old World and Asian techniques, using native wood, and recycled glass and metals to create his eclectic designs.
He has spent much of his career in education and instruction, facilitating college workshops, providing continuing education for teachers, and instructing at the Carnegie Art Center in Leavenworth.
He was a member of the Board of the Bonner Springs Art Alliance from 2017 -2020.
The Arts Council Board
