WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Artwork by area elementary students will take the spotlight during the annual Art Around Town exhibit April 13-24 at the Gallery on the Mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St.
Sponsored by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, the free event, in its 16th year, will feature two- and three-dimensional pieces by children in grades kindergarten through eighth from the following school districts: Alton, Bakersfield, Dora, Fairview, Gainesville, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Junction Hill, Mtn. View-Birch Tree, Richards, Thayer, West Plains, Winona and Willow Springs.
Each school is allowed to display up to 30 pieces of artwork in the exhibit, organizers said.
The exhibition also will include an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 17, in the civic center theater, followed by a reception on the mezzanine level for art-viewing. The works will be juried by artists from the region, organizers said. This year, there also will be a group award for the school that wins the best team project.
“I was impressed to learn that some of the children who took part in Art Around Town 10 or more years ago have now grown up to become artists as adults, either in their hobbies or for their careers,” said U/CP Theater and Events Coordinator Jennifer Moore. “We encourage the public to stop by and take in this vast art exhibit, which will run for several days.”
Area residents are invited to view the pieces during regular civic center hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information about Art Around Town and other U/CP events, call 417-255-7966 or visit the department’s website.