Muhlenberg County youth have the opportunity to have their artwork on display at the Muhlenberg County Public Libraries’ Thistle Cottage this month.
The Young Artist Showcase, which includes work by elementary and middle school students across the county, will be on exhibit throughout the month of March.
This exhibit is sponsored by the Muhlenberg Arts Council in conjunction with Muhlenberg County Public Libraries. Each elementary and middle school art teacher is asked to submit up to 10 pieces of art per grade level to be displayed at Thistle Cottage for a month. The top three pieces per grade level will be chosen by an outside judge and presented with appropriate awards.
Arts Council Coordinator Sean Mooningham said the annual art show is a way for the Arts Council to both recognize local talent and help foster an appreciation for the arts in Muhlenberg County students. He said, “This is a great opportunity to encourage our youth and help promote the visual arts … just another way we are striving to ‘keep the arts alive’ in Muhlenberg County.”
Last year’s Young Artist Showcase included artwork by more than 300 Muhlenberg County students, Thistle Cottage’s Amie Waltrip said, and the event has grown in popularity each year.
Due to overwhelming response in previous years, two open houses will be held for this year’s show. The first open house, scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 5 to 7 p.m., will focus on artwork from students in kindergarten through fourth grade. A second open house will be held the following Monday, March 9, at the same time for fifth through eighth grades.
The full show will be on display during both events. Members of the public are encouraged to come during the event that corresponds to the age group they are most interested in, but no one will be turned away at either event. “We are just trying to find a way to make sure everyone has a pleasant experience,” Waltrip explained. “Last year, we had a huge, wonderful turnout for the open house, but because of the number of people here, many of them had to wait in a long line to get inside and then didn’t feel like they could stop and admire the art as much as they wanted.
“We’re hoping that by splitting our crowd across multiple events, everyone will still get the chance to see the show without feeling rushed or crowded.”
The artwork will remain on display at Thistle Cottage through March 27 during regular business hours. Thistle Cottage is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about the Young Artist Showcase at Thistle Cottage, call Thistle Cottage at 270-338-4760.
