Community event aims to promote arts, downtown development

The Cottonboll Artist League will be hosting its first Annual "Follow Your Art," show, sale and competition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

Artists from all over are encouraged to participate in the visual art exhibit. There will be a judged portion of the event and they will have the opportunity to compete and/or showcase their work with the option for sale to the public.

For the judged portion of the show, first place will be $500, second place, $250, third place, $100 and an honorable mention ribbon. Deadline for entry fees and forms is Oct. 15, 2010.

Artists must be 18 years old and up and may enter up to 3 works of 2-dimensional art for competition. These must be mounted and/or matted. Framing is optional but the art must be fitted with wire or other secure hanging devices. Accepted 2-dimensional media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, pastel, pen & ink and other, similar media.

Entry in the art competition is $20. Inside space rental for the show and sale is $10 and $5 for an outside space. Entry into the show to set up a booth is free to Cottonboll Artist League members. Space rental is currently being waived for members of the Cottonboll Artist League. Individuals with a passion for the arts are encouraged to join the league for $25 a year. Artists may participate in either the competition or show and sale or both.

All entry and rental fees are non-refundable.

Some art displays may remain after 5 p.m., and all downtown area businesses will be encouraged to stay open after 5 p.m.

Artists may display and sell art in various media, such as photography, sculpture, art glass, wood work, jewelry

but competition entries are limited to 2-dimensional works of art (excluding photography). Competitions for photography and other media are being planned by the Cottonboll Artist League.

Art submitted for judging will be on display at Inga's Custom Framing and Gallery at 105 South Side Square, and art for sale will be on display at businesses in the downtown area of Kennett.

The judge for this show will be Southeast Missouri State University's Professor of Painting, Ron Clayton

The Cottonboll Artist League evolved from a group of area artists who wanted to fill a gap in the community. After recognizing a need for art and artist support in the area, the group realized there was and never had been an organization supporting the visual arts in the area. The group first got together on April 11, 2010 and has been meeting on a monthly basis since. On June 27 the group selected a name for their organization and planned for an art competition, show and sale to raise money and awareness for the organization. At that time, they also selected a formal board of directors, a mission statement and a statement of purpose.

Inga Eubanks, member of the Cottonboll Artist League and owner of Inga's Custom Framing and Gallery, said, "I've always been interested in art, that's why I have the business that I have. I was given the opportunity to have a gallery at the place in Kennett. After our first, "Meet the Artist," night, back in November, there was definitely alot of interest in the community to form an art organization. I want to promote the local artists. I want to see them to be able to market their work." She added that the interests of the Cottonboll Artist League also include the revitalization of the downtown area and helping to make more people aware of the small business owner.

All proceeds received from this event will go toward the support of visual arts. Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council. The "Follow Your Art," event is also being funded in part by the City of Kennett, and has the full support of the Downtown Revitalization Program of the Kennett Community Development Corporation.

For more information, contact Inga Eubanks at 870-598-4906 or by email at pisces03@centurytel.net., or Stephen Sokoloff at 573-888-6676.

* Information from this article has been obtained from the following sources: http://followyourartkennett.com/cbal.htm, http://www.facebook.com/followyourartkennett and http://www.dddnews.com/story/1669572.html.