COMPETITION COUNTDOWN: — One Month to Submit! — Step-by-Step Competition Submission Guide
Attention teachers and students! Follow this 10-Step Submission Guide to submit projects for the 2025 ARTEFFECT competition. Allow at least 30 minutes to complete your submission using the online portal once you have gathered all the required information and materials on the Submission Checklist. There is no fee to enter the competition
The Competition Deadline is April 27, 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). For guidelines and resources, visit the ARTEFFECT Competition.
VIBRANT at the 2025 NAEA Convention!
Thank you to all of the educators who visited the ARTEFFECT booth during the 2025 NAEA convention! Over 3,000 art educators attended NAEA this year, getting to experience professional development sessions, the exhibitor hall, and more. The ARTEFFECT team met new faces, reconnected with old friends and ARTEFFECT Ambassadors, and shared the mission and impact of the ARTEFFECT competition. Seven ARTEFFECT Ambassadors presented in breakout sessions about their research and development as art instructors.
Below are some resources distributed at the ARTEFFECT booth:
Youth Art Month recognizes art education’s vital role in developing citizens of a global society, and underscores art as a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all. ARTEFFECT supports and celebrates the goals of this important work by:
Encouraging students to create and share their artwork with their communities through the annual ARTEFFECT Competition.
Inspiring critical thinking through the ARTEFFECT Competition’s Impact Statement.
Governor Kelly Recognizes Melissa Etheridge, Others at Governor’s Arts Awards
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) today announced the recipients of the 2025 Kansas Governor’s Arts Awards during a ceremony held at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center. The event was focused on celebrating remarkable individuals, organizations and communities for their exceptional contributions and leadership in advancing the arts across Kansas.
Grammy and Oscar Award-winning musician Melissa Etheridge was named this year’s recipient of the prestigious Governor’s Award.
“There are many talented Kansans involved in creative work across our state, and we know that art enhances their lives and the lives of those around them,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The people we recognized at the Governor’s Arts Awards tonight are using their talents and passions to strengthen communities all throughout Kansas and to enrich the culture of our great state.”
At the awards ceremony hosted by Wichita television personality Sierra Scott, 17 individuals and organizations were recognized for their work and efforts in elevating Kansas through arts and culture. Nominations for each award are thoroughly reviewed and chosen by a selection committee. The recipient for The Governor’s Award is chosen by Governor Kelly herself.
“Governor Kelly and I have had the privilege of learning about and witnessing the dedication of artists, organizations, advocates, communities and creative businesses located across every region of our state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The Kansas arts and culture community plays a significant role in our growing economy by enriching the quality of place we call home. This impressive group of awardees is most deserving of the spotlight, and the state looks forward to see these inspiring leaders continue to enhance the cultural landscape of Kansas.”
The 2025 Governor’s Award recipient has been inspiring fans around the world for decades. Beyond Etheridge’s chart-topping records and stirring live performances, the Leavenworth native is known as a tireless advocate of Kansas who champions local causes through hands-on service.
“Across the nation and world, people are connecting with Etheridge’s music and can see how she truly embodies the Kansas values of hard work, self-reliance and kindness,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “She takes all the things that make Kansas great and shares them with the world — and she regularly brings it back home to benefit communities through her generosity and spirit.”
This year’s award categories and recipients are:
Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Media Arts: Kiki Bush, Gypsum
Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Music: Bob McWilliams, Lawrence
Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Visual Arts: Shin-hee Chin, McPherson
Arts Advocacy: Brenda Meder, Hays
Arts Patron of the Year: Paul Dorrell, Roeland Park
Excellence in Arts Education: Tyler Dallis, Pratt
Excellence in the Arts in Business: The Artificers, Fort Scott
Emerging Arts Leader of the Year: Lacey Connell, Overland Park
Emerging Arts Organization of the Year: LV Arts, Leavenworth
Rural Arts Community of the Year: Clay Center
Urban Arts Community of the Year: NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, Topeka
Arts Leader of the Year: Katy Guthrie, Garden City
Arts Organization of the Year: Theatre in the Park, Overland Park
Arts Legacy Award: Constance “Connie” Bonfy, Wichita
Arts Legacy Award: Cecil Riney, Wichita
Arts Legacy Award: NedRa Bonds, Kansas City
The Governor’s Award: Melissa Etheridge, Leavenworth
To learn more about the Kansas Arts Commission, their programs or art resources, visit here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC):
The Kansas Arts Commission stewards the state’s investment in the arts by empowering creativity, fostering innovation, and strengthening the economy to enhance the vitality of every Kansas community. The Kansas Arts Commission is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. To learn more about KAC, click here or contact Ben Stanton at benjamin.stanton@ks.gov or (785) 213-5959.
Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made to society. There are over 68 women on the list of Unsung Heroes for the ARTEFFECT competition. They made contributions to diverse disciplines—including astronomy, environmentalism, medicine, civil rights, and more—that changed the course of history. Discover their untold stories and learn how their actions impact our lives today.
Click the images below to explore a selection of award-winning ARTEFFECT artworks in honor of Women’s History Month.
See you at NAEA in Louisville, KY!
March 20-22, 2025
Plan to stop by the ARTEFFECT booth in the Exhibit Hall at NAEA National Convention. Pick up some new swag, the 2025 ARTEFFECT brochure, and meet the ARTEFFECT team. See you in Louisville!
The ARTEFFECT annual competition is open to students in grades 6-12 through April 27, 20025. This Quick Start Resource Guide for Educators. includes lesson plans, links to session recordings, and activities to support students in participating in the 2025 ARTEFFECT Competition.
2025 Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Arts Exhibit Award Winners
The Bourbon County Arts Council would like to congratulate the following artists for being selected as award winners at this year’s Fine Arts Exhibit:
CERAMICS
1ST PLACE** DARIA CLAIBORNE BEAUTIFULLY BLUE
2ND PLACE** DARIA CLAIBORNE CINDERELLA’S TEA SET
DRAWING & GRAPHICS
1ST PLACE** RIPP HARRISON WE THREE
2ND PLACE WHITNEY POWELL “HOW STELLA GOT HER BARK BACK”
FIBER ARTS
1ST PLACE NANCY KREIBACH REFACTERY
2ND PLACE** PATRICIA NEELAND SILK AND WOOL
GLASS
1ST PLACE** PATRICIA NEELAND CHINESE TEAPOT IN BLUE
2ND PLACE** KAITLYNN SAMPSON BLOOMING
BEST OF SHOW 3D CARLEEN SHATTO CONNECTED
JEWELRY
1ST PLACE NICOLE MEYER-FORESMAN flORO
2nd PLACE NO ENTRY
MIXED MEDIA
1ST PLACE* LEE NORMAN PAPER REFLECTIONS
BEST OF SHOW 2D** RIPP HARRISON MIDDLE CLASS AMERICAN GOTHIC
2ND PLACE* JIM MILLER BURLY MAPLE/RESIN VASE
PAINTING
1ST PLACE KAREN CASE ALLEY SUNSET
2ND PLACE CARL BROTHERS BACK ROAD FIND
PASTEL
1ST PLACE JEAN TERRY “CAFÉ CONDIMENTS”
2ND PLACE STEVE FLOYD MAJESTIC NEW MEXICO
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST PLACE ORIAH FREEMAN HARD WORKING
2ND PLACE MERL HUMPHREY WINTER WONDERLAND
PRINTMAKING
1st PLACE LORI STANZIOLA MOMENTS
2nd PLACE DAIN REILING IMMUTABLE NUISANCE
SCULPTURE
1ST PLACE** DARIA CLAIBORNE SNAP, CRACKLE POP
2ND PLACE AL LETNER “PORTAL” 23
THEME-BRIDGE THE GAP
1ST PLACE TOM ALTENBURG COWBOY CHEE
2ND PLACE KATIE WENDEL MAJESTIC
WATERCOLOR
1ST PLACE SANDRA SHUMAKER BELLS KOI
2ND PLACE** KAITLYNN SAMPSON DAD
**MORE THAN ONE AWARD
The “People’s Choice “Award will be determined on March 15th at the end of the exhibit. The BCAC appreciates and thanks all of the artists participating in this event, and encourages the community to visit the exhibit Monday–Friday from noon to 7pm, and Saturday from 9am to 1pm at the Ellis Family Fine Arts Cente
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee this Thursday, March 6th at 8am hosted by Chamber member Bourbon County Arts Council. The event will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
The 33rd Annual Bourbon County Arts Council Exhibit will be open to the public Thursday, March 6th through Friday, March 14th from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, March 8th and 15th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. An artist reception will also be held March 6th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. where participating artists will have the opportunity to listen to the juror critique and visit about their pieces. The public is welcome to attend, and light refreshments will be served. Categories include Ceramics, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Jewelry, Pastel, Watercolor, Fiber Art, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Drawing & Graphic (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Photography, Glasswork, and Printmaking. The theme of this year’s exhibit is “Bridge The Gap”.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com
A 2016 photo of the Bourbon County Arts Council Annual Exhibit.
The Bourbon County Arts Council will present its 33rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibit from March 6th through March 15th, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Arts Council will host the Chamber Coffee at 8:00am on Thursday March 6th, at the Ellis Center. The Exhibit will be open to the public beginning Thursday March 6th through Saturday March 15th, weekdays from 12:00pm to 7:00pm, and on Saturdays, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. A reception to honor this year’s Juror and artists will be held on Thursday the 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm; the public is invited to attend and enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with them about the art.
Artists will have their work on display and for sale in this multi-media exhibit, in categories including Ceramics, Drawing & Graphics, Fiber Arts, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor. A “themed” category was added to the Exhibit, with this year’s theme being “Bridge the Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above categories, in relation to the theme. This year, artists from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma will participate in the Fine Art Exhibit. Local artists entered include Kathy Allen, Cally Bailey, Elaine Buerge, Steve Floyd, Oriah Freeman, Katie Hueston, Merl Humphrey, Bobbi Kemna, Julie Kibble, Dorothy Kivett, Terry Koester, Kadra Nevitt, Eric Popp, Elizabeth Ross, Kaitlynn Sampson, and Addison Smith.
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: The Artificers, Buerge Art Studio, City State Bank, Citizens Bank, Edward Jones-Jamie Armstrong , Front Door Realty-Diane Striler and Crystal Mason, H&H Realty, Landmark Bank, Lyons Realty, Mid-Continental Restoration, State Farm Insurance, Union State Bank, and Ward Kraft.
Joe Summers will serve as Juror for this year’s exhibit. He remembers the day he “became an artist” at the age of five and has pursued his passion for art since. His interests include drawing and painting, printmaking, and pottery. Joe attended Fort Sott Community College as a theater major. He received his Bachelors Degree from Pittsburg State University in 2003, and earned his Masters Degree in Ceramics from PSU in 2011. He is also a mural artist. Joe has been an art educator since 2003, teaching at Prairie View High School in LaCygne, KS for 18 years, and Royster Middle School in Chanute, KS for 3 years. In 2024 he was awarded the KAEA Middle Level Teacher of the Year. In the Fall of 2024, he became an art instructor at Neosho Community College.
Joe and his children started “Robot Art Across Kansas” in 2018; they created ceramic robots, and took them to cities and towns across Kansas “for others to find, keep, and enjoy.” He has continued this project with his students, and so far there have been over one hundred robots placed throughout Kansas, and as far away as Nashville, Tennessee. Joe and his family reside in Chanute, Kansas.
The Bourbon County Arts Council encourages everyone to come and enjoy an exciting collection of original artwork. The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., in Fort Scott, Kansas. There is no admission charge for this event.
The competition is open to artists of age 16 and older. Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.
A themed category has been included; the theme this year is “Bridge The Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
The competition is open to artists of age 16 and older. Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.
A themed category has been included; the theme this year is “Bridge The Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Exhibit OpenMon-Fri: March 6th, 7th, & 10-14th 12pm-7pm
Saturdays: March 8th & 15th 9am to 1pm
The competition is open to artists of age 16 and older. Categories include Ceramics, Drawing and Graphics (Pencil, Pen, Ink), Fiber Art, Glasswork, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting (Oil & Acrylic), Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Watercolor.
A themed category has been included; the theme this year is “Bridge The Gap”. An artist may create a piece in any of the above media categories, as it relates to the theme.
Entry fees are $7.50 per piece for Bourbon County Arts Council members and $10.00 per piece for non-members. Artists may enter up to four pieces, but only three in any one category. Entry deadline and payment are due by February 28th, 2025.
Entry forms may be requested by calling Deb Anderson at 620.224.8650, Deb Halsey at 620.224.0684 or emailing drpeppersilly@yahoo.com.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
Calvin “Joe” Barr creates pallet art from old pallets at his home at 1225 245th Street.
Joe and his wife Rita decorate their home for each season, including an American Flag, a large pumpkin, a snowman, and for St. Patrick’s Day.
He sent this one with a note to fortscott.biz.
Joe and Rita Barr’s home in Fort Scott with his Valentine to his wife. Submitted photo.
“At the end of this month, I will move the Valentine one and take it to the storage shed until next year and put up Saint Patrick’s for the month. I just finished the Saint Pats one this week. I made the Valentine in the last week of January, mainly for my bride of 60 years come this May 29th if the good Lord is willing,” Barr said.
Calvin “Joe” and Rita Barr from his Facebook page.
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