Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition coming to Neosho
Neosho Arts Council invites area professional, emerging, and youth artists to take part in this year’s Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibition events.
“We have two events taking place that honor Benton’s legacy while giving area artists an opportunity to shine,” explained Sarah Serio, president of the Neosho Arts Council.
Artists over the age of 18 who work in traditional 2D mediums can enter the 30th annual Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibition. Youth artists age 8 to 17 will be able to take part in the 3rd annual Thomas Hart Benton Youth Art Competition and Exhibition.
“One of this shows’ founding cornerstones was to have a professional exhibition opportunity for area artists of all skill levels,” said Serio.
The annual event gives area artists the opportunity to compete in a professional environment while honoring Neosho’s native son, famed regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton.
This year, Laura Nugent, an artist and curator based in Kansas City will serve as juror for the 30th annual Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition and Exhibition. Nugent will be selecting winners for over a dozen cash prizes between the two divisions, including $500 for overall Best of Show. The show features an emerging and professional division which artists can compete in. “The two division’s give college students and new artists an opportunity to get their feet wet in competition without going up against someone who’s more experienced in the field,” Serio explained.
Nugent will review all entries in person before presenting the awards and a short critique of each winning work during a public award ceremony on September 27.
“During the awards our judge will also be giving a brief critique of each winner, which is a unique part of our competition,” Serio said. “She’ll give an overview of what aspects of each work made it a winner. This is an opportunity for the winner to learn what they are doing right but also for those who weren’t selected to evaluate their own work and possibly make adjustments.”
Artists interested in taking part will need to pre-register at neoshoarts.net by August 27 with art drop off on August 28 and 29. Everyone is invited to attend the Awards Presentation and Critiques at the Community Room of the Neosho/Newton County Library (201 West Spring Street, Neosho, MO) on September 27. A public reception and viewing of the exhibition will follow. Nugent will be on hand to discuss works one-on-one with attendees.
The exhibition will be on view at the Big Spring Gallery inside the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce (216 West Spring St., Neosho, MO) during September and October. It will also be on view through the virtual Big Spring Gallery at neoshoarts.net.
The Thomas Hart Benton Youth Art Competition and Exhibition is for kid’s age 8 to 12 and teens age 13 to 17.
The youth exhibition will be held at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery for the third consecutive year. Benton, who was born in Neosho in 1889 only one year after the hatchery opened, was known to have created art on the hatchery grounds. This includes a 1912 painting titled “The Fish Hatchery, Neosho.”
There is no entry fee for either division and no residency requirements. Up to three entries will be accepted per young artist. Works can be dropped off and entered September 15 – 19 at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, McKinney St./Hwy 86, Neosho, MO 64850, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Awards will be presented on October 5 at a closing reception from 3:00 to 4:00pm at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery.
Both the adult and youth show will accept original 2D works including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, pastels, etc.
No photography, digital works, AI generated work, giclees, high relief works, or 3D works will be accepted. The full list of rules is available on Neosho Arts Council’s website. You can learn more by following Neosho Arts Council on Facebook and Instagram or visiting neoshoarts.net.