Category Archives: Art

Art, Government, Kansas

Commerce Grants Available for Rural Mural and Public Art Projects

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced a total of $75,000 is available for a new round of Rural Mural and Public Art program funding. The program helps rural communities design engaging new art that improves the local aesthetic – making the community more appealing not only for those who live there but for potential new businesses and residents as well.

Grants up to $7,500 are available for eligible communities, which also is the total amount any one county can receive. The Office of Rural Prosperity program requires a 1:1 match, with 25% being a cash match unless the community has fewer than 1,000 residents. For those communities, matching support can be 100% in-kind services, including volunteer labor, materials and supplies, equipment, etc.

“Murals and creative projects invite new businesses and residents to celebrate Kansas as their home,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our holistic approach to economic development includes dedicating resources that enhance the physical attractiveness of communities, which helps encourage new investment.”

Awards will be given to communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. Murals can beautify community gathering spaces, elevate tourist attractions, and offer a welcoming message for visitors. Communities are encouraged to utilize the 11-week application period to complete community engagement conversations about what the art should reflect.

“Over the past three years, we have supported the creation of more than 75 murals and public art pieces in rural communities across Kansas,” Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said. “These art pieces support economic growth, instill pride and create community excitement for residents and visitors who have viewed the murals throughout the state.”

Applicant communities should identify their muralist, art location and design concept by May 10, 2024, the application due date. Murals and public art must be completed by December 31, 2024. Click here for more details. There also will be a webinar at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28. To register, click 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 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Gordon Parks Museum

Portrait of Gordon Parks: An Evening of Interpretive Jazz Event

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Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his portrait of Gordon Parks in music and narration with a jazz band.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.

This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art.\

This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks
Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the
Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.

For information on the Portrait of Gordon Parks: Interpretive Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director,
620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Art, Bourbon County, Entertainment, Fort Scott

Newly Formed Bourbon County Community Theatre Plans An Adult Prom on March 16

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A group of residents organized last summer to form a non-profit corporation that will be bringing education, community, and culture to Southeast Kansas through theatre productions, called Bourbon County Community Theatre.

“BCCT was formed in late June and has been working since then to get up and running so that the people of Bourbon County can soon have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy community theatre again,” said Delynn Abati, public relations person for the group.

The group’s first event is March 16 and is a prom for adults to fund future events and performances.

“We are hoping this prom for adults will become an annual night of fun, dancing, and community support,” she said.

This formal dance is for anyone age 21 and up and will be held in The Legacy Center on the lower level of the old Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

“We will have a promenade beginning at 7:45 pm and the dance will run from 8-11 pm,” she said in a press release. “In addition to dancing, we will have non-alcoholic drinks, a charcuterie board, and a chocolate fondue bar included in the ticket price, as well as alcoholic beverages available for purchase from the bar, provided by Sharky’s.”

“We’re hoping to add to the fun (and success) of the night with some lighthearted music dueling,” she said. “Attendees can pay $1 to request and/or dedicate a song, $5 to request a song NOT be played for an hour, or $10 for a song to be banned for the night.”

Tickets can be purchased at BCCT.ticketspice.com (QR code provided below) or at the door on March 16.

Online tickets are $50 per couple or $30 for a single ticket. Tickets purchased at the door will go up in price to $75 per couple or $40 for a single ticket.

“Our BCCT board is so excited to be offering this event to the people of Fort Scott and surrounding areas and hopes that it will be a success for years to come,” she said.

The BCCT is accepting members.

“If you’d like to be a part of bringing community theatre back to Bourbon County, visit our Facebook page;  and fill out the Community Theatre Interest Form,” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552088270799he said.

Additionally, on the horizon is a Night of Living History performance.

“The Bourbon County Community Theatre is looking for people who would like to be involved in a committee for a Night of Living History performance,” said Abati.  “This will be a play (or similar event) telling some of the history of Fort Scott and its surrounding areas.”

The BCCT Board is comprised of:

Matthew Wells, President

Melissa Guns, Vice President

Recording Secretary, Sandra Abati

Correspondence Secretary, Katie Wells

Treasurer, Whitley Chesney

Production Coordinator, Tyler Parker

Public Relations, Delynn Abati

Rene Ludeman

Angie Bin

Alex Chesney

Danette Popp

 

Art, Fort Scott

Artificers Offers Conversation Heart Dish Class Tonight

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Conversation Heart Dish POP-UP Class Tonight!!

Starting at 5 tonight you can come into the studio and make your own conversation heart dish! Use it just for you or give it to someone special!! Walk-ins welcome!!

Thanks for LOVING Local!
Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers Celebrate One Year in Business

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Trent and Kate Freeman. Submitted photos.
Trent and Kate Freeman purchased the building at 8 N. National Ave from Phil Hammons in October of 2020, after a full remodel of the building they hosted the grand opening of their art business on January 28th, 2023.

“In the first year, The Artificers (the name of their art gallery) hosted artists from Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, and Georgia,” Kate said.  “These Master artists have also taught classes in their medium and brought their talents to share in Fort Scott.”

“The Artificers provide a wide range of fine arts and fine crafts for purchase in our gallery,” she said. “The teaching studio provides a space to learn everything from ceramics, watercolor, weaving, printmaking, fluid art, pen & ink, and more. We also run our studios out of the space and are available for commissioned work.”
“The first year was a year of learning,” she said. “We tried to watch what people loved about our business, doing more of that. We took away things that didn’t seem to be a good fit for the community and listened to our clientele to provide classes and items that they wanted. One of our goals was to fill a gap in art education, as well as give confidence to people who want to experience making art but haven’t had the opportunity to be encouraged in their creativity.”
“We are very excited to expand our offerings in our Bourbon County Clay LLC line,” she said. ” This is a line of limited edition items made from clay that we pull from the ground in Northwest Bourbon County.  All items are stamped with our logo and numbered.”
“We are also developing a line of online classes that will be available to purchase through subscription,” she said.
Trent Freeman. Submitted photo.
About The Artists

Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, and metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.

“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said in a prior interview. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”

Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.

Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”

Eventually, the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020.

Continue reading The Artificers Celebrate One Year in Business →

Art, Fort Scott

The Artificers February Newsletter

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The Artificers In February!

Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month!

Artist Opening and Reception!!

Sallys’ Master Artist Classes

February Classes

Valentines Day “Ghost” Class

What’s the first thing you think of when someone says wheel throwing?

That steamy movie scene with Patrick & Demi, Right?!?  Now’s your chance!

Grab your favorite Patrick or Demi and have a Valentine’s event that will go down in the books as if it were a memorable scene out of a movie!
Sign up Here!
Click Here to Join in the Fun!

GLAZE DAY is February 17th!

Come in and “paint” your heart away with all the variety of glazes and pieces we have available!

Sneak Peak of Next Month!

(subject to change)
Art, Business

All-Inclusive Valentines Day Evening! at the Artificers

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All-Inclusive Valentines Day Evening!

Here at the studio we are offering everything you need this Valentines Day! Come in for our all inclusive night with our  “GHOST” class, and give your partner a silver screen experience!

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS WHEEL THROWING?

THAT STEAMY MOVIE SCENE WITH PATRICK & DEMI, RIGHT?!?

NOW’S YOUR CHANCE!  GRAB YOUR FAVORITE PATRICK OR DEMI

AND HAVE A VALENTINE’S EVENT THAT WILL GO DOWN IN THE BOOKS!

Bring your group of friends and enjoy a fun and romantic evening just for you guys! Your night will include heavy appetizers and desserts catered in by our local favorite crooners! Then enjoy a two hour wheel throwing class sitting across from your special someone! Do something extra special this year and take the worry out of planning this Valentine’s Day!

Call us at 913-574-7741 to reserve your evening!

Thanks for LOVING Local!
Art, Bourbon County

Call for Entries – Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Art Exhibit – 2024

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The Bourbon County Arts Council announces its 32nd Annual Fine Arts Competition and Exhibit, to be held at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, Thursday, February 29th, through Saturday, March 9th.

The mixed media competition is open to artists aged 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 new themed category has been included; the theme this year is “ART OF EVERYDAY LIFE”.  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 five pieces, but only three in any one category.  Entry deadline and payment are due by February 23rd, 2024.

Cash awards totaling over $3500.00 will be made, for Best of Show in 2D and 3D, First and Second Place winners in each category, and a Popular Vote winner.

Entry requested by calling Deb Anderson at 620-224-8650, Deb Halsey at (620)224-0684, or e-mailing [email protected].

PLEASE NOTE: We are no longer accepting pieces shipped to BCAC for entry into the exhibit.

The schedule for this year’s Exhibit is as follows:  Entry forms and payment, as stated above, are due by February 23rd

. No late entries will be accepted.  Artwork will be accepted at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on Sunday February 25th, between 1 and 4 pm.

 Juror critique of the artwork will occur on Wednesday February 28th; this is closed to artists and the public.

The BCAC will host a Chamber Coffee Thursday February 29th at 8:00 am at the Ellis Center.

A reception, open to the public, will be held for participating artists and the Juror that evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

The Exhibit will be open for public viewing on Thursday, February 29th through Friday March 8th, from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and on Saturday, March 9th, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.

The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

 

 

 

Art, Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

The Artificers Schedule for January

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Sending on behalf of Chamber Member The Artificers…

The Artificers Schedule for January!

Click here to sign up for events and classes at The Artificers in January!

See below the schedule at The Artificers!
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Going out of the Gallery!

The Artificers are packing up art from Amy Smith, Lorrie Fowler, Liberty Worth, and Brandy Evens this week, so HURRY IN and check them out before they are gone!

Think of The Artificers for your party’s!
Contact The Artificers with questions or for more information:

913.574.7741

[email protected]
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Art, Business, Fort Scott

The Artificers January Schedule

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The Artificers In January!

Happy New Year!!

Check out the calendar below for all events happening this month!
January Events Here!

Upcoming Classes

We are packing up art from Amy Smith, Lorrie Fowler, Isaac Fowler, Liberty Worth, and Brandy Evens this week… SO hurry in and check them out before they’re gone!! Check Socials for Specifics!

Think of us for your party’s!

Call us at 913-574-7741 for reservations!

We have catering connections for stress free party planning!

First Friday’s Is TONIGHT…

Join us tonight for a fun late night looking at art and socializing!

GLAZE DAY is January 27th!

Come in and “paint” your heart away with all the variety of glazes and pieces we have available!
Click Here to Join in the Fun!
Art, Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is Saturday December 9 at the Fairgrounds

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The Bourbon County Fair Association’s 3rd Annual Jingle Bell Holiday Mart is this Saturday, December 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Emelia Whiteacker is the organizer of the event for the fair board that raises funds for maintaining the fairgrounds year-round, said Addie Foster, one of the vendors.

Foster is a sister to Whiteacker and they have spice products to sell in their M M Flavor booth.

Leanna Leatherman, who had organized the event in the past, died earlier this year and the fair board asked Whiteacker to take over the duties, Foster said.

The event is in two buildings: the Cloverleaf Event Center and the Yaeger Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. The Yaeger Building is adjacent to the poultry building and the Cloverleaf is where meals are served during the fair.

There will be food,  clothing, crafts, and other possible Christmas present items to purchase.

Foster and her sister Emelia Whiteaker are the owners of MMM Flavor Shop which sells spices.

In addition,  Care to Share, a local helping organization for cancer survivors,  will have pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and a baked potato bar available for purchase in the Cloverleaf Event Center.

Housed in the Yaeger Building will be Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen featuring:  Mrs. Claus’s Coffee Shop, Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, Donna Jo’s Homemade Fudge, Peace Acres Freeze Dried Candy, and Mmm Flavor Shop.

The Cloverleaf Event Center will have vendors:  Locust Hill Lamancha Goat Milk Products, Sally Kraft, Tessie’s Trendy Nails-Color Street, Flying P Ranch, Write On, Bear’s Nectar LLC, Mary Kay-Lauren Wagner, Scentsy-Laken Brittain, Happy Little Candle Company, All Things Cute and Cuddle, On the Farm, Kitty’s Kitchen, Turkey Forge, Gyp and Jo, Cattywampus Creations, and Art by SueP.

Blue Dog Wine Co. will also be in the Cloverleaf Event Center with their locally made wines.

“There are more vendors this year with many hand-crafted items under $10 for the tight budgets,” Whiteacker said.