WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Artwork by area elementary school students will take the spotlight during the annual Art Around Town exhibit April 3-14 at the Gallery on the Mezzanine at the West Plains Civic Center.

Sponsored by Missouri State University-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, the event, in its 13th year, will feature two- and three-dimensional pieces by children in grades kindergarten through eighth from the following school districts:  Bakersfield, Dora, Fair View, Gainesville, Glenwood, Howell Valley, Junction Hill, Koshkonong, Mtn. View-Birch Tree, Richards, Thayer, West Plains and Willow Springs.

Thirty pieces of artwork from each school district – a total of 450 pieces – will be displayed in the exhibit, organizers said.

The exhibition also will include an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7, in the civic center theater, followed by reception on the mezzanine.  The works will be juried by art instructors from the region, organizers said.

“I always look forward to the Art Around Town exhibit,” said Felicia Combs, Art Around Town committee chairwoman and art teacher at Mtn. View Elementary School.  “It gives us a chance to show off our incredibly talented youth and to view the activities taking place in our colleagues’ classrooms.”

“For 13 years, Art Around Town has given young artists an opportunity to display their talents and compete for ribbons and prizes,” said U/CP Theater and Events Coordinator Emily Gibson.  “I hope everyone comes and visits these amazing pieces of artwork created by so many talented students.  It is truly an amazing display, and the students will appreciate the attention to their work.”

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, contact the U/CP office at 417-255-7966.  For more information about U/CP programs, visit the department’s website at wp.missouristate.edu/ucp.