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 [email protected].
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.
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced applications are being accepted for four Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) grant programs that support a wide range of arts and cultural activities across the state.
The grant programs, which are designed to foster community pride, economic growth and cultural heritage, include:
General Operating Support Grant: Provides funding for day-to-day operations of established arts organizations
Arts Everywhere Grant: Supports specific projects and initiatives and is open to both arts and non-arts organizations
Public Art & MuralsGrant: Funds permanent and semi-permanent public art installations
Visiting Artists Grant: Helps bring professional artists from across the nation to Kansas communities
“Providing targeted financial support for the arts is vital in revitalizing and supporting our communities and organizations of all sizes,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Groups are using these grants to help make important, impactful and meaningful work happen, boosting local economies and connecting residents to the creative talent found throughout the Sunflower State.”
The KAC grants are available to support arts and cultural activities that are taking place starting on July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Supported activities include arts education projects, music, dance, visual arts, professional and community theater, media arts, creative writing, murals, poetry, the operations of museums and other creative disciplines.
Eligible applicants include Kansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of local government (e.g., schools, universities, libraries, art agencies, etc.) and federally recognized tribal communities. All applicants must have at least one fiscal year of completed arts programming.
“Our funding opportunities are open to any and all Kansas organizations, and the application can be completed without specializing in grant writing,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “We encourage all interested applicants to take advantage of the resources we have available to help navigate the process.”
To access relevant KAC application webinars, click here.
The deadline for all four KAC grant applications is 5:00 p.m. February 28. For more details, guidelines and eligibility, click here.
Visiting Touring Roster Artists grants also are available to bring artists on the Kansas Touring Roster to communities across the state. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis but must be made at least 60 days in advance of the proposed activity. More details can be found 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 [email protected] or (785) 213-5959.
The Bourbon County Arts Council announces its Call for Entries for the 33rd 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, March 6th, through Saturday, March 15th.
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 “Theme” category has been added; this year’s theme 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.
PLEASE NOTE: In the past, artists were permitted to enter a total of five pieces, with 3 pieces allowed in any one category. Due to space limitations and the growth of this exhibit, artists now may submit a total of FOUR pieces, with 3 of those allowed in a single category. Entry deadline and payment are due by February 28th, 2025.
Cash awards totaling greater than $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 forms may be requested by contacting Deb Anderson at 620-224-8650 or [email protected], or Deb Halsey at 620-224-0684 or [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 28th. No late entries will be accepted.
Artwork will be received at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on Sunday, March 2nd, between 1 and 4 pm.
Juror critique of the artwork will occur on Wednesday, March 5th; this is closed to artists and the public.
Artists are invited to attend the Chamber Coffee hosted by the BCAC on Thursday, March 6th at 8:00 am at the Ellis Center.
A reception will be held that evening from 6:00-8:00 pm for participating artists and the Jurors; this reception is open to the public as well.
The Exhibit will be open for public viewing on Thursday, March 6th and Friday, March 7th, as well as Monday, March 10th-Friday March 14th from noon until 7:00 pm.
It will also be open Saturdays March 8th and March 15th, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Artists may pick up their work on Saturday, March 15th between 1:30 and 3:30 pm. The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center is located at 2108 Horton St., Fort Scott, Kansas.
Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.
Check out the calendar below for all events happening the rest of the year!
Join us for an Artist Opening Reception!
Friday, February 7th at 6pm!
Unleash Your Creativity
with Kadra Nevitt!
*Exclusive Pastel Art Class*
Join us for a unique and captivating art experience! Create a breathtaking pastel scene of icicles on barbed wire, evoking the serene beauty of winter.
*Class Details:*
– February 8th at 1pm!
– Limited to 6 students (let’s start with 1 pm)
– All supplies provided, so you can focus on creativity
– Guided instruction to help you bring your artistic vision to life
*Secure Your Spot Today!*
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore your artistic side and take home a stunning pastel piece. Sign up now and get ready to unleash your creativity!
Storytelling through Art
Session Recording and Lesson Plan
Access the lesson plan and recording for the online session on Storytelling through Art led by Brad LeDuc. This session presented a step-by-step process with in-depth resources for developing novel and effective approaches to visual storytelling with a focus on creatively interpreting the inspiring stories of the LMC Unsung Heroes. View the session recording and download the lesson plan below:
Spotlight Prize – Unsung Hero Introducing Clara Luper
Civil Rights Leader and Educator
Clara Luper, a trailblazing educator and civil rights leader, is best known for spearheading the 1958 Oklahoma City sit-in movement, a pivotal moment in desegregating public accommodations. Born in rural Oklahoma, Luper overcame the barriers of segregation to become the first African American graduate student in history at the University of Oklahoma. As the advisor to the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council, she mentored young activists and led nonviolent protests that successfully desegregated hundreds of establishments. Beyond her activism, Luper spent 41 years as a history teacher, inspiring generations to fight for justice.
ARTEFFECT projects submitted to the competition that interpret the life and legacy of Clara Luper are eligible for the Spotlight Prize category.
Looking Ahead:
ARTEFFECT Competition Info Session Wednesday, January 15, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Interested in participating in the 2025 ARTEFFECT Competition? Learn about the annual visual arts competition for students grades 6-12 (open through April 27, 2025). Rules, guidelines, judging criteria, tips for submission, prizes, and lesson plans will be discussed at this session. Bring your questions! Free to join. Registration required.
Apply Online
