An estimated 850 students from about 40 high schools in Missouri and Kansas will come to Missouri Western State University for the second annual Visual Arts Day on Thursday, Oct. 10 in Potter Hall. This more than doubles the number of attendees from last year’s inaugural event.
“We’re excited to see this kind of growth in just our second year,” said David Harris, assistant professor of art and coordinator of Visual Arts Day. “Teachers and students who came last year had a great time exploring their creativity, and they obviously encouraged others to join them this year.”
Students will participate in a juried high school art exhibition, art competitions and events, and studio workshops in clay, graphics, animation, printmaking, painting, photography, drawing and sculpture.
Entries in the juried art exhibition will be installed from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the halls of Potter Hall and will remain in place until the end of Visual Arts Day. Workshops and competitions will begin at 8:30 a.m., and an awards ceremony will begin at 2:15 p.m.
Competitions include a 3-Throw Competition, which will give students three minutes to throw the tallest and widest shape possible from three pounds of clay; Concrete Chiaroscuro, a black-and-white sidewalk art competition; Art History; and more. Students will also be given the opportunity to participate in the creation of two sculpture installations and learn more about graphic design, cyanotype photography, painting, plaster relief and more.
Visual Arts Day is sponsored by the Department of Art in the School of Fine Arts at Missouri Western. For more information, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/artday/ or email Harris at harris@missouriwestern.edu.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.