Students gathered at Melcher-Dallas on March 6 for the Bluegrass Conference Art Fair, an event showcasing a diverse range of artistic techniques presented by talented students, along with live demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences. Five schools attended including Twin Cedars, Melcher-Dallas, Moravia, Seymour and Ankeny Christian.
The fair featured three guest demonstrators who each brought a unique approach to art, giving attendees the opportunity to explore different styles and materials.
Larry Scott led a watercolor demonstration, offering practical tips and guiding viewers through the process of layering washes and allowing colors to blend naturally.
Kim DeSocio introduced participants to bleach art, a technique that involves removing color from fabric to create designs. Using T-shirts as her canvas, she demonstrated how bleach can be applied in controlled ways to produce detailed patterns and images. She also displayed several completed pieces, showing the range of effects possible with the method.
Denise McNally presented mixed media techniques using polypropylene, a nontraditional surface that interacts differently with paint and other materials. During her session, she explained her creative process and discussed her broader experience working with various forms of art.
Several students were also recognized for their outstanding artwork across a variety of categories.
Sage Hoksbergen had a strong showing, earning first place in both ink drawing and digital imagery. Hoksbergen also placed second in color photography and third in both colored pencil and 2-D design.
Blayne Comstock earned multiple top honors, taking first place in pastel and oil pastel, mixed media, and large-scale sculpture. Comstock also placed second in hand-built ceramics and third in ink drawing.
Layla McCarty received first place in textiles and fiber and earned an honorable mention in ink drawing.
Addy Clemans placed third in scratchboard.
In 2-D design, Jasmyne Johnson earned first place, followed by Logan Sisler with a second-place finish.
Kat Luckey placed second in mixed media, while Kennedi Ford received honorable mentions in both mixed media and textiles and fiber.
In sculpture and ceramics categories, Matthew Fay earned second place in small-scale sculpture and third in wheel-thrown pottery.
Matthew Evans took first place in crafts.
Jordyn Greatbatch placed second in large-scale sculpture and third in small-scale sculpture, while Ella Goemaat received an honorable mention in small-scale sculpture.
Teegan Jones earned third place in hand-built ceramics, and Khloe French placed second in wheel-thrown pottery.
In textiles and fiber, Keaton Van Kloosterwyk earned second place, and Jace Laird placed third.
Art teacher and organizer Brenda Belloma said, “The event aimed to inspire students and foster appreciation for the arts within the Bluegrass Conference schools. It was a successful day!”